You’ve fluffed the pillows. You’ve bought the overpriced mattress. You’ve even downloaded that app with the whale noises and mystical gongs. And yet, you’re still tossing and turning like a rotisserie chicken at 2 a.m.
If sleep has become more of a struggle than a soft descent into peaceful oblivion, you are not alone. Most of us are sleep-deprived, caffeine-fuelled goblins just trying to function in a world that never stops pinging. But better sleep is possible. No magical potions. No elaborate bedtime yoga rituals. Just a few sensible (and slightly sassy) tips to help you snooze more soundly.
Get Serious About Your Sleepwear
First things first, let’s talk about what you wear to bed. If your current sleep attire involves baggy old T-shirts with mysterious holes and elasticless trousers that drift down by morning, it might be time for an upgrade.
Enter: night gowns. Yes, they’re still a thing, and no, they’re not just for Victorian ghosts or your gran. A well-made night gown in breathable cotton or modal can make all the difference between sleeping well and waking up in a tangle of synthetic regret. The goal is ease, comfort, and no awkward seams that feel like medieval torture devices at 3 a.m.
Wind Down Like You Mean It
Scrolling through property listings you’ll never afford or watching true crime documentaries before bed is not the soothing wind-down routine your nervous system was hoping for. Your brain needs actual time to shift from “What is life” to “Let’s rest now.”
Instead of doomscrolling, try reading something light, doing a bit of gentle stretching, or simply staring blankly at the ceiling while your thoughts calm the chaos. Bonus points if you lower the lights and actually decide to go to sleep instead of passing out in your clothes like you’re twenty and just got home from a club.
Temperature Matters (More Than You Think)
No one sleeps well when they’re sweating through the sheets or curled up like a sad burrito under five duvets. Your room should be cool, not cold, and definitely not sauna-level hot.
Try keeping your bedroom around 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. It’s apparently the sweet spot. And if your partner insists on turning the bedroom into a meat locker or a tropical greenhouse, invest in separate blankets. Love is all about compromise. Sleep is non-negotiable.
Noise: Choose Your Battles
Some people need total silence. Others need whale song, thunderstorms, or the comforting sound of a crackling fire that they do not want in real life. White noise machines, calming playlists, or even a fan can help mask annoying noises like snoring, traffic, or that one fox that screams like it’s in a horror film.
Sleep is a Lifestyle, Not a Luxury
You don’t need to overhaul your life to get better sleep. Sometimes it’s as simple as upgrading your night gown, switching off the murder documentaries, and making peace with the thermostat. Sleep doesn’t have to be a struggle. It can be soft, stylish, and surprisingly smug.
Now, go reclaim your eight hours, preferably while wearing something that doesn’t make your legs sweat or your dignity vanish.
