It’s the start of a new year and while some resolutions are best left in January, others can reap lifelong benefits. Making a resolution to improve your sleep in 2023 could have a multitude of benefits, including improved mood and better mental and physical health. To help you on your way to better sleep, Alison Jones, Sleep Expert at leading mattress brand Sealy UK, has compiled a list of the sleep resolutions we should all be taking into the new year.
Reset your routine
While we might all love a weekend lie-in, this can actually be detrimental to our sleep pattern. By allowing ourselves a later bed time, and in turn a later wake-up time on the weekends, our bodies are actually experiencing the same impact as they would from jet lag.
While you might be tempted to catch-up on lost sleep from the week, this can play havoc with your body’s circadian rhythm – the internal ‘clock’ which controls your energy levels. A regular bedtime on the other hand, will signal to your body that it’s time to feel tired, meaning you’ll be more likely to drop off to sleep no matter the day of the week.
Consider your SleepScape
During the winter months, there is nothing better than burrowing into a cosy and, more importantly, comfortable, bed. To create the perfect bed that hugs you back as you drift off to sleep, invest in a mattress that is tailored to your needs and made with quality materials.
When choosing a mattress, consider the support level it provides. A truly supportive mattress will not only provide comfort, but it will place less strain on pressure points, which leads to less tossing and turning and a deeper, more rejuvenating sleep. Sealy’s Posturepedic range is a great place to start. Designed alongside the international Orthopaedic Advisory Board, it allows your spine to maintain its neutral posture whilst you sleep. Its unique Align Support Coil ensures the body’s key pressure points are properly supported, helping ease any discomfort.
Consider how long it has been since you last invested in your bed. We spend roughly a third of our lives asleep, but replacing our mattress, pillows and duvets can often fall to the wayside.
Reduce your light pollution
Light is one of the key influencing factors in your natural body clock, which is why it’s important to limit the amount of light you’re exposed to in the run up to bedtime. Melatonin, the hormone responsible for controlling our body clock, is produced in the brain at night, meaning exposure to light before bed can have a negative impact on our sleep by suppressing its production and preventing us from feeling tired.
The best way to avoid this is to keep the lights dimmed in your home in the hours before bedtime, and to limit the amount of blue light you’re exposed to from screens such as TV and mobiles for around 30 minutes before you plan to sleep.
Keep a sleep journal
A sleep diary is a great way to help you identify what factors in your life are helping and hindering your sleep. Make a note of everything from your sleep times and what wakes you up during the night, to the food you’ve eaten, your amount of screen time, and your day’s activity.
After keeping a record of your sleep for a month, you’ll be able to see any trends on things during the day that are impacting you at night.
Declutter your bedroom
If you’re already struggling to drop off to sleep at night, a cluttered bedroom is going to do you no favours. While a comfy and supportive mattress is crucial to helping you rest, the environment in which you sleep also plays a huge part in the quality of your slumber.
In fact, studies have shown that those who have a messy and cluttered bedroom have a worse night’s sleep due to increased stress levels – compared to those that keep their bedrooms clean and tidy.
Make sure to have a clear out and tidy to create the perfect sleep oasis that will leave you feeling calm and relaxed, rather than stressed out!
