The Secret to the Perfect Sleep: The Best Steps to Follow to Improve your Sleep
In a world filled with bright screens and overloaded schedules, getting the perfect sleep can be an uphill battle
Life is busy; our days are hectic, and, more often than not, we find ourselves bombarded with messages that keep our minds in overdrive. However, despite being exhausted and ready for our heads to hit the pillow, our sleep schedule has other ideas.
If this sounds like you, you're not alone. Many of our readers find it hard to drift off at bedtime, so we've put together our top tips on how to get a good night's sleep.
At The Fine Cotton Company, we know that sleep is an integral part of our mental and physical health, so it's vital to ensure that you're getting the right amount of it. From how to wind down to the secret to waking up feeling ready and refreshed, read on for all you need to know.
Table of Contents
- Why sticking to a routine is the secret to the best night's sleep
- 6 tips to follow for improved sleep
- What is the perfect amount of sleep?
- Shop the perfect sleep with The Fine Cotton Company
Why sticking to a routine is the secret to the perfect sleep
Today's market is bursting with quick fixes. From silky sleep masks and lavender pillow sprays to sound machines, the secret to the best night's sleep is just one click away, right?
Such products might help to enhance your sleep temporarily. However, if you're looking to improve your sleep pattern permanently, it's time to turn your attention to your bedtime routine.
A routine can be setting away technology at a specific time, taking a bath, having a hot drink, and anything else that helps you to wind down during an evening.
A consistent bedtime routine helps your brain to identify when it's time to switch off. By consistently following the same steps every night, your brain recognises these actions as a forerunner to sleep, helping you switch off from the day's business and get the sleep you need.
6 tips to get the best sleep
At The Fine Cotton Company, we know that there is no shortcut to the perfect sleep. However, alongside following a consistent routine before bedtime, a few tips and tricks make achieving the perfect sleep easier. Below, we've listed the top 6.
Stick to soft drinks
Alcohol and sleep have a complex relationship. Though often considered a way to relax and wind down due to its sedative qualities, it can have a detrimental impact on the quality of your sleep and cause disruptions to your slumber throughout the night.
If alcohol is part of your current routine, we'd recommend swapping your spirit of choice for an alcohol-free alternative. Or, why not try a warm drink before bed? A cup of hot chocolate is an indulgent way to start your wind-down routine and help relax your mind before it's time for your head to hit the pillow.
Take a bath at bedtime
A dip in a hot, relaxing bath is a surefire way to help your body relax after a busy day. The warmth of the water triggers sleepiness, making it a great addition to your nighttime regime.
For an extra touch of relaxation, why not transform your bathroom into a sanctuary: Dim the lights, light a few scented candles and add a few drops of lavender oil to your bath for a sensory experience to soothe away the day.
Looking to complete the full spa experience? At The Fine Cotton Company, we offer everything you need to fully wind down in luxury, including plush cotton towels and cosy bathrobes. We also offer luxurious slippers, allowing you to inject effortless hotel luxe into your nighttime regime.
Clear out your bedroom
We've all heard the phrase 'tidy room, tidy mind'. But did you know there is truth to it?
It's important to ensure that your surroundings are clear of any clutter and distractions to get a good night's sleep. In a clean environment, your mind will fully relax so that you can wind down and enjoy a good night's sleep.
The items you choose to decorate your room can also impact your night's sleep. For the best night's sleep, we'd recommend you use calming tones for your bed linen that will relax rather than energise you. Invest in sumptuous duvets that cocoon you as you rest, and add layers of sheets for warmth and cosy texture.
Make your bed comfortable
We all spend so much time in our beds. However, they are often the most overlooked piece of furniture in our homes.
Investing in the best mattress enhancers and pillows will give your body the support and comfort it needed rest easy all night long.
Looking to upgrade your bed linens? Take a look at our handy guide to buying duvets and pillows to help you find the right match for the perfect sleep.
Steer clear of technology
When it comes to bedtime, mobiles, laptops, and televisions aren't doing us any favours.
While experts recommend limiting your use of technology to approximately two hours before bed, many of us are guilty of staying awake in the early morning hours aimlessly scrolling through our phones.
It can be tempting to check your emails, how many Instagram likes you have or tune into that new Netflix series. However, your phone screen is a recipe for broken sleep and a restless night. The light your phone screen emits does not help your brain relax and get ready to sleep.
Instead of flicking through the most recent posts on Instagram, why not try reading a few pages of your favourite book. Reading helps ease your mind into a different reality, allowing you to let go of your day and, in turn, helping to ease you into sleep.
Write it down
If you struggle to clear your mind before bed, then the chances are that you also struggle to get to sleep.
We all carry a to-do list in our heads, which could hinder our chances of a good night’s sleep. At bedtime, try writing down your tasks. It's a way of off-loading your thoughts onto paper and clearing your mind ready to sleep.
What is the perfect amount of sleep?
We're all familiar with that groggy feeling the day after insufficient sleep, and no amount of coffee can stop it from seeping into our day-to-day activities.
Sleep is vital to maintaining a healthy mental and physical well-being, so it's important to make sure that you're getting the right amount.
The perfect amount of sleep can look different to everyone, depending on certain factors and patterns throughout your day to day life. However, experts suggest that 8 hours is the perfect amount of sleep as a general rule of thumb.
Be smart about napping
Whether napping to make up for missed sleep or to aid recovery from an illness, it's important to be smart about napping.
Napping can help you feel more awake and help you carry out tasks more efficiently; however, too much napping, or napping too close to bedtime, can negatively affect your sleep schedule.
If you plan to nap throughout the day, be sure to set an alarm to control the amount of sleep you are getting and, when possible, aim to nap in the middle of the day, between the halfway point from when you first wake up to when you plan to sleep at night.
Shop the best sleep with The Fine Cotton Company
Whether it's spending too much time gazing into a phone screen or sleeping in a cluttered environment, many factors can impact your ability to fall asleep soundly and the overall quality of your sleep.
Of course, there is no secret fix to getting the best sleep; however, by making a few simple changes to your nighttime routine, you can instantly improve your slumber and start your day feeling rested and refreshed.
At The Fine Cotton Company, we host a full range of options to help you get a good night’s sleep. Our luxurious collections have something for everyone, from hot water bottles for added warmth in colder months to luxurious cotton blankets and throws that will add an extra layer of hotel comfort to your bedding.
Looking to inject hotel luxury into your nighttime regime? Shop our opulent selection of bed linen bundles, expertly woven with fine Egyptian and organic cotton to seriously enhance your sleep.
