Creating the ultimate sleep experience is different for everyone, but there are a few tried and tested methods that can help you to drift off more easily, into a deep and restorative sleep. A great night’s sleep can make a huge difference to the outlook you have on life and means you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Whether you’re looking for a mattress for hip pain so you can feel comfortable in bed, or you’re looking for cosy sheets to melt into, read on to find out about how you can create the best environment for sleep.
Choose a new mattress
When creating the perfect sleeping experience for you, your mattress is the best place to start. When it comes to choosing a mattress that will do it all – comfort, support, pressure relief – there are a few things to consider before making your purchase. If you’re waking up in pain, you’re going to need a mattress that can support you, as well as provide comfort. If you have hip pain, the likelihood is that you prefer to sleep on your side – If this is the case, you should choose a memory foam mattress that can provide pressure relief to your shoulders and hips. If your pain is in your back, you should choose a more supportive mattress. You can also choose an option like a hybrid mattress that provides both support, and comfort layers, so you can benefit from a restful night’s sleep.
Sheets and pillows
Once you’ve chosen the perfect mattress, you’re going to need new sheets and pillows to complement it. Your sheets shouldn’t be a heavy material or anything that can irritate your skin. Cotton is popular – it is durable and comfortable, so this could be a great option. Recently, more of us have been choosing silk bed sheets, which are especially useful if you suffer from dry or sensitive skin. It can also help to keep us cool and is good for your hair.
Your pillow is just as important as your mattress, as it plays an important part in keeping your spine aligned. Pillows mostly come down to personal preference – maybe you prefer soft and fluffy, or maybe foam to support your neck? Once you’ve found a pillow you can sleep comfortably on, take care of them, and change them regularly as they can lose shape.
Lower the temperature
It is said that a lower temperature in the room that you’re sleeping in can make a big difference when it comes to creating the perfect environment for sleep. Too hot, and you’re likely to feel more awake. Again, this is mostly down to preference but the optimum temperature for your room is around 18-22 degrees. If you find you sleep warm, you could choose sheets designed to keep you cool, or a gel mattress topper.
Blinds and curtains
Light seeping through a crack in your curtains can signal your body to wake up. We can detect the smallest bit of light even when we’re sleeping, so making sure that you have curtains or blinds that can block out the rays efficiently is key to creating the perfect environment for sleep, especially in the summer months when the days are longer!
Relax
When you’ve created your perfect space, there’s only one thing left to do; relax. If you get into bed each night and you feel stressed or wide awake, there are ways that you can calm your mind, to drift off into a deep sleep. You could try meditation, breathing exercises or listening to soothing music or white noise. You could swap electronic devices like phones or TVs, for a book to help you prepare your mind for rest.
