5 tips to creating a sleep sanctuary

June 13, 2022
Jess

We all love (and need) a good night’s sleep, but some nights it can seem almost impossible to actually get it. With work, kids, household chores and other responsibilities, it can be hard to wind down for the night and switch off enough to catch up on those much-needed zzz’s. However, that good night sleep is vital in helping you get up and do it all again tomorrow! One way to help get yourself ready for dreamland is to transform your bedroom into a relaxing space. 

Here are five tips you can follow to turn your bedroom into the relaxing sleep sanctuary you deserve. 

1. Keep the bedroom for “sleep only”

The easiest step to take in turning your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary is to keep the bedroom soley for sleeping. 

It may be tempting to lie in bed and scroll through your social media feed on your phone, stream your favourite TV show on your iPad, or finish off that last bit of work on your laptop before putting your head to pillow. However, giving into this temptation can take precious hours of sleep away from you.

You can easily keep your bedroom for sleeping by leaving these devices out of the bedroom (or at the very least, turned off in the nightstand drawer) and by making your bed cosy and inviting. This all starts with your bedding.  

2. Invest in cosy and good-quality bedding

Having a cosy and inviting bed to crawl into can really help set the mood for a great night’s sleep. The easiest way to achieve this is by investing in good-quality bedding (sheets, pillows and quilts).

When it comes to your sheets, you want something practical, breathable, beautiful and budget-friendly. Linen sheets are great for every day, year-long use, whilst bamboo cotton is lightweight, antibacterial, and hypoallergenic.  

When it comes to your pillows, it’s important to consider your sleeping position (back, side or stomach) as it needs to support your posture as you sleep. If you sleep on your back, a medium-to-firm pillow is the way to go, whereas a firmer and higher pillow is ideal for side sleepers. Finally, you’ll need a thinner and flatter pillow if you sleep on your stomach.

When it comes to your quilt, find one that covers the whole bed. In fact, some experts even suggest buying a quilt that is one size bigger than your bed. If you want a quilt on your bed year-round, you need to think about its loft (or fluffiness). A thin quilt with a low loft is great for summer, whereas a thick quilt with a high loft will keep you warm in winter.

3. Make sure your bed frame and mattress are up to scratch

As well as splashing out on cosy, good-quality bedding, it’s important to invest in the bed itself with a comfortable, quality mattress, and a solid bed frame.

The right mattress is not only crucial for a good night’s sleep, but also your overall health. If you’re a side sleeper, a foam mattress is the way to go as they’re softer and absorb movements. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper, a spring mattress is ideal as they offer solid back support, and can come in different levels of firmness.

A new bed frame won’t only add to the aesthetics of your sleep sanctuary, but will help you get a better night’s sleep. If your new mattress doesn’t fit, the frame is creaking and squeaking, or there are signs of damage, it’s time to replace it.

4. Calm your senses

The easiest way to get a peaceful night’s sleep is by putting a white noise machine in your bedroom to play serene sounds. These can vary from white noise itself to ocean waves, rain and thunderstorms.

As well as keeping devices and their blue lights out of your bedroom, you also need to think about how to manage natural light that comes in. An easy way to keep natural light out is by hanging up some blackout curtains.

When it comes to your sense of smell, no-one wants to sleep in a stuffy, odour-filled room. Invest in an essential oils diffuser, which will disperse relaxing scents, like lavender or chamomile. In terms of touch, a cosy rug can make your bedroom feel warmer and keep your toes warm before you crawl into bed.

5. Develop a sleep ritual

The last step in creating a sleep sanctuary is to enjoy it by developing a sleep ritual.

A sleep ritual is a set of activities to reduce stress and prepare your body for sleep. For the sleep ritual to work, the activities need to be completed in the same order every night.

Sleep rituals are different for everyone, but can include a variety of activities, from setting a bedtime, to taking a warm shower or bath, reading, journal writing, drinking a cup of herbal tea, and doing some gentle exercises.

By following these five tips, you can easily turn your bedroom into the relaxing sleep sanctuary you deserve. You’ll find yourself able to wind down for the night with a comfy new bed adorned with soft bed linen, and your senses completely soothed by white noise and a calming floral aroma. The perfect night’s sleep awaits!