Sleep is amazing for your health and I’ve recently spoken about how important it is to put some night-time rituals in place to enjoy a fantastic night’s sleep. I’ve felt particularly tired recently, the stresses of preparing to move and a toddler who seems to be going through a sleep regression phase hasn’t helped. Suffering from sleep deprivation means that any bit of time that I manage to spend in slumberland is precious and I want to make it count.
It’s one of those simple and very easy things that we would all like more of, but always struggle to get enough shuteye on a regular basis. I always feel like I can take on the world after a decent night’s sleep and with a young child, it’s an area that I’m constantly in battle with. Knowing that it’s wonderful for my body and the amazing restorative properties of sleep encourages me to always get the best quality of sleep that I possibly can even if it’s only for a short amount of time.
PRIORITISE YOUR REST
Making catching some z’s a main priority in your day will no doubt ensure that you get the best night’s sleep ever! Try to resist the temptation of putting your favourite box set, work or book first and make room in your day for at least 8 hours of solid uninterrupted sleep.
HAVE A BEDTIME ROUTINE
The majority of us has a day-to-day routine that we like to follow for our day to run smoothly, but why not introduce a bedtime routine in your day. Going to bed around the same time every night or having certain rituals before bed will prime your body for sleep and in the long-term help you to drift off into a deep slumber more easily.
INVEST IN A GOOD MATTRESS
Even though it may not seem like it, we spend a huge part of out lifetime in bed. With this in mind, it’s important to invest in a really good mattress as your budget allows. The more comfortable you feel in bed the longer you are likely to doze and may not even want to get out of bed at all!
AVOID HAVING A HEAVY STOMACH BEFORE GOING TO BED
I’m not sure about you, but if I eat too close to my bedtime I have a really heavy stomach which makes me feel uncomfortable and I struggle to get to sleep. Instead, I try to leave a couple of hours between eating my last meal or snack in the evening before going to bed to give my digestive system a rest.
NO MOBILE DEVICES BEFORE BED
Learning to switch off before bed is something that I’m constantly struggling with. It’s always so tempting to check what’s going down on Twitter and Facebook. I’m slowly trying to wean myself off night-time social media check-ins to allow my brain to unwind before sleeping.
I’m at the point in pregnancy now where baby decides to wake me up at about 2-3am guaranteed every single night. It’s very frustrating and leaves me wide awake. I was checking my social media feeds when I woke, but found it so much more difficult to get back to sleep again afterwards, often taking 1.5-2 hours to fall back asleep after having initially woken up. I’ve found though that if I just ignore my phone and fight through the boredom of doing nothing for a few minutes I soon drift back off again.
Oh, I remember this! It can be such a pain and I used to turn to my phone a lot too. In fact, I still do on the night feeds.
I am really bad as I have both my phone and ipad next to my bed .I should put them so ewhere else.. Great advise.
I think it does help to keep them hidden at bedtime.
I need to print this as a checklist. Really having trouble sleeping at the moment and hopefully this will help.
That’s a great idea to use this post as a check list!
Ive been struggling with sleep recently so thank you for the tips!
You’re very welcome!
If I have too much going on, then I always really struggle to sleep. But I find that eating right and exercising seem to help me – thanks for sharing x
There is nothing like a good balanced diet to create the foundations for a great healthy routine, including getting a good night’s sleep.
I really need to get on board with the ‘no mobile devices before bed’ one!
I hear you on that. I’m terrible!
This is a good reminder for me, but so hard to get a good nights sleep these days for me. My only time to do anything on my blog is at night so I barely get any sleep. >_<
I will have to consider a better schedule. Great post. 🙂
Thank you! It’s a struggle to fit everything in somedays isn’t it.
A good mattress makes such a difference. We just changed ours and I am sleeping SO much better.
I agree, you can’t go wrong with a great mattress to sleep on.
I’m terrible I always am on my tablet before bed. I do try and fit in using the calm app before bed when I remember.
I haven’t tried that app yet, must check it out!
I really need to stop using my phone in bed, I always hear how bad it is! Luckily I sleep really well though!
Ha! Lovely to hear that you sleep really well regardless. 🙂
My husband have a bed time routine, no food after 9 and MUST be in bed at 10 to get up for his alarm at 7:15 on the dot. He sleep like a log so I think it work for him. xx
Great to hear that your husband has a great routine in place.
It’s so hard for me not to look at my phone just one more time before bed. That blue light is killer!
Phones and social media are so addictive aren’t they.
I definitely need to make an effort to switch off before bed, I’m not good at that!
I’m exactly the same sometimes. I’m getting better though.
I am so guilty of checking my phone before going to sleep but I have light settings that make it less likely to effect my sleep. A routine is a great idea!
Great tips! I have no problem sleeping, just need to start going to bed earlier! 🙂
http://lilinhaangel.com/
The mobile device thing for me is a big thing I need to change, I always end up spending ages on pinterest x
No mobile devices before bed is really good in theory, but I find it so hard to practice!
I definitely need to use ALL OF THESE. With the school year here, I tend to sacrifice sleep for getting a few more things done. Thanks for the tips. I will definitely be using them.
I’ve been really struggling to get a good nights sleep lately so this post came at a perfect time!
Very good tips here and I totally agree with every single one of them – starting from a good mattress, to bed time routine and no mobiles allowed :))
I really need to put away my mobile phone before bed and put it on silent so that I’m not tempted to look!
I struggle to get four hours sleep never mind 8, its hard as I have insomnia but I do need to get a better sleep routine.
Fortunately I have reached a stage in my life where all my children are that bit older so they sleep through the night, and we’ve got a brand new oh-so-cosy bed so bedtime with a good book is something I really look forward to after a busy day!
I’m lucky as most of the time i can fall asleep that easily. I have 3 children to thank for that!
I am so bad at saying goodnight to my phone before bed. Need to start being better at that!
Ashleigh x
http://www.beingashleigh.com – UK fashion, lifestyle and travel blog
Great tips! At the moment i haven’t had a good night sleep at all but only because I’ had a baby a month ago! x