It’s a well-known fact that a good night’s sleep can do wonders for our health and wellbeing. Aiming to get as close to the recommended eight hours of well-deserved and undisturbed sleep allows us to wake up feeling refreshed, revitalised and raring to go.
And whilst many people realise that screen time before bed, bright lights in the room and being too hot or too cold, are not conducive to a good rest, many overlook the crucial role of their bedding, which is pivotal to your sleep comfort, hygiene, and quality of sleep. We spend about a third of our life in bed, so it’s important to choose bedding that suits our exact sleep requirements.
Bedding expert Karen Innes - NPD Manager at Slumberdown - reveals exactly how tailoring your bedding to suit your specific sleeping needs can make an enormous difference to getting the optimum night’s rest.
Finding the right pillow
The most important thing to consider when choosing a new pillow is your sleep position. You will quickly notice an increase in comfort and a better quality of sleep by making sure your pillow is suitable to your sleeping position.
For those that sleep on their side, a firmer pillow will provide the ideal support for your head, neck, back and spine. If you are a back sleeper, then a medium support pillow helps keep your head and back aligned and comfortable. And for those that sleep on their fronts, a soft pillow is the best choice, allowing your head to sink into the pillow as much as possible so it is aligned to the body.
The duvet divide
I think we can all probably admit to having a little war of words at one time or another with our partner over the temperature in the bedroom. Some like it toasty while some like it cool. This means getting the temperature right for you is so important in achieving maximum sleep comfort.
Help is out there thanks to the invention of dual tog duvets which offer one half with a lower tog designed to keep you cool and the other half warmer and thicker for those who prefer a toasty night’s sleep. By having the best of both, couples can sleep soundly without compromising their own comfort or sleep environment choices.
Calm-induced sleep
If you’re someone who struggles to relax and wind down once your head hits the pillow, there’s something you can do about it. Certain scents are known for their calming, sleep inducing properties and the right pillow choice can offer comfort and support so why not combine them both?
Consider choosing a pillow infused with lavender for example, or another scent that you find soothing and relaxing. Studies have proven certain calming scents can improve your quality of sleep by helping you to drop off to sleep more quickly, and some people also report it helps them to fall into a deeper sleep too.
Health and hygiene helps
For many reasons, The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on people’s sleep quality, with an increasing number reporting night-time disturbances. One of the biggest issues is the growing demand for hygiene related products in every area of our life, as the importance on cleanliness has been brought into focus more than ever before.
With that in mind, our bedding shouldn’t be any different. Consider buying comfy pillows and duvets which have antibacterial and antiviral protection. You’ll be affording yourself peace of mind that you’ve chosen the cleanest and healthiest range possible.
Keep bedding clean and crisp
There’s nothing like the feeling of getting into beautifully laundered crisp, clean sheets. In fact, research shows that 73% of us sleep better on and under fresh linen! And when it comes to bedding, any possible positive source of influence that can boost a restful night’s sleep is worth pursuing. Choosing a good hygiene routine in the bedroom is essential for your rest. However, there is still a lack of awareness around sleep hygiene and how integral this can be.
If you’ve had your pillow for over two years, this could be contributing to a poor quality of sleep. Over that time, dust mites and skin cells will build up and the integral structure of your pillow will start to deteriorate leaving you feeling uncomfortable in bed. Duvets can generally last around 4 years, but after that you need to be thinking about changing it to keep your sleep space feeling comfortable and clean.
Our research shows that 14% of Brits admit to only washing their pillows or duvets once a year, but it’s important to try and wash them roughly every three to six months. Most good quality bedding can generally be washed on a 40°C cycle, which will help to keep it nice and clean and help you to get a better night’s sleep in the process.
Succumb to seasonal snuggles
So many of us find comfort in keeping warm and cosy during the colder winter months, which are fast approaching. As temperatures fall, we need to do more to make our homes the comfiest they can be and, in the bedroom, that means packing away any light summer duvets and throws and dressing the bed with warmer, higher-tog duvets instead. In the colder months of the year try and use a 13.5 tog or a super snug 15 tog duvet for the optimum in winter warmth.
For more information, visit: www.slumberdown.co.uk