Have you ever wondered why people are so obsessed with clean sheets? And, it’s definitely not the cotton freshness from fabric softener. Most people get overly excited for the night to fall on the day they change their sheets because clean sheets aid a good night’s sleep. In fact, 70% of people agree with the statement of getting comfortable nights sleep after they change their sheets – you cannot argue with the facts. With that in mind, I’m going to share five straight-forward ways you can help ensure you achieve a better night’s sleep — from doing an extra few rounds of sheet changes right through to decluttering your room.
1. Make your bed before you sleep
Most of us grew up hearing the same mantra; make your bed and clean your room. I’m sure I’m not the only one that never understood why it was so important to the bed, especially as it would get messed up, in the same way, that very night. Like many things, there is some truth behind what our parents say, and this is one of those situations. More than making our rooms look neat, making the bed actually leads to a better night’s sleep. The proof is in the pudding – test it for a week and you’ll see the difference.
2. Use aromatherapy
We don’t need science to back up the fact that a good night’s sleep makes you feel better the following morning, and in turn, aids good health. After periods of tossing and turning each night, I eventually turned to essential oils to help aid my sleep. I’ve found using fresh scents like lavender the most effective, as it slows down your nervous system and stops your brain from buzzing when it recaps your day as you drift to sleep. I apply a nominal amount to my pillow and the edges of the duvet closest to my face, and that’s all… it… takes. Zzz.
3. Wash more than just your sheets
Dust mites, pollen and pet dander, they are all allergens that easily latch onto fabric. And, let’s not forget those nasty germs too. If you’re sensitive to many common allergens, like me, it can affect the way you sleep. Nothing is worse than a stuffy nose, runny eyes, or non-stop sneezing episodes, from ruining a night of rest right before an important meeting – been there, done that. If you were to look at your bed sheets, mattress sheets, pillows, and duvet under a microscope, you’d vow to wash the entire lot on a weekly basis. Just because a lot of these germs and allergens aren’t visible to the naked eye, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Go the extra mile – if you don’t have a mattress cover, get one. All TEMPUR® Elite and Luxe mattresses come with a Quick Refresh cover. It not only protects your mattress, but it also collects all the nasties and makes it easy to clean. Then, make sure you wash everything: pillows, duvets, covers, sheets, the lot. You’ll thank me for it later. If you don’t keep your bed area clean, pests can invade the space and then you will have to get a pest controller, such as pest control experts: https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/exterminator/tennessee/
4. Declutter your room
As they say, a busy room leads to a busy mind, which inevitably leads to low quality sleep. It’s time to go Marie Kondo on your room – clean away the clutter. Unpack that suitcase from your holiday three months ago, sort the pile of books in the corner of your room into a drawer, and purchase a laundry basket instead of piling dirty clothes on the floor. I have to admit, there are some benefits to being an obsessive cleaner and this is a contributing factor to many sleepless nights.
5. Choose the right pillow and mattress for you
Most would think that picking the right pillow and mattress for a good night’s sleep is a given, but it isn’t, and it’s the number one reason why not people have irregular sleep patterns. Our bodies aren’t used to being subjected to uncomfortable positions, especially when resting. Picking a pillow that supports two important parts of your body, your head and neck, followed by your a mattress that supports your spine, another crucial part of the body is extremely important. Beyond support, it’s about choosing a pillow and mattress that fits your sleep style. If you’re like me and you only sleep on your side, the TEMPUR® Ergonomic Pillows are for the perfect solution for you. They are specially designed for back and side sleeping positions, in order to relieve any discomfort and pain. The same goes for mattresses, some people prefer a firm mattress, others prefer something soft, whereas I like my mattress to be somewhere in between the two. TEMPUR® caters to everyone’s needs, including overly particular individuals, like me.
What are your best-kept sleep trips?
Until next time…
