New Year, New sleep! How to Better Your Sleep in 2023
We are officially halfway through the first month of the new year. A new year symbolises new beginnings, new goals and new challenges. Many of us are determined to make changes which will allow ourselves to be the best possible person during 2023. These changes, both big and small, often focus on external factors, such as finances or physical appearance. In retrospect, sometimes, it is the sutble changes that can have the greatest impact on our lives.
We're all about better sleep in 2023 and with that being said, here's a few small (but mughty) changes you can make to improve your sleep this year...
- Scientifically, the shorter, dark days of winter can have huge impacts on our bodies. We often find ourselves feeling extra tired, yet struggling to sleep when it comes to it. To tackle this, try stick to a bedtime routine that works for your schedule, and eliminate the factors that can cause disturbed sleep. Besides the contrast with the dark evenings and bright light devices, the blue light emitted by our phones and laptops can reduce the amount of Melatonin that is produced in our bodies and in turn, disrupt the quality and duration of your sleep, upsetting your cardiac rhythm. To improve the time in which it takes you to fall asleep and the quality of your sleep, turn off digital devices before bed, to allow your mind, eyes and body to completely relax.
- Chilly evenings mean we often find ourselves slipping into the duvet still wearing a fair few layers of clothing. However, as a result, we can sometimes experience one the most frustrating sleep disturbances – a hot flush. The quick rush of adrenaline during a flush makes it harder to fall back asleep and when you do eventually fall back asleep, the quality can be poor. Loose-fitting clothing, especially during night time, will help manage any unpredictable changes in temperature. In addition, try avoiding heavy blankets and use lighter bedding to give you a greater chance of staying cool during the evening and help avoid any disturbance.
- Feeling anxious about work deadlines, or stressed about life curveballs? Taking a warm bath relaxes our mind and muscles, helping us drift into a deep sleep when it comes to bedtime. Before slipping into your cosiest pyjamas, reach for your favourite moisturiser and gently work it into your hands and feet. These parts of the body endure tough labour during our day-to-day lives, and massaging these pressure points has incredible benefits that can help you de-stress, improve your mood and sleep better.
