Winter, with its snowy landscapes and cosy atmosphere, can be a lovely time of year but the longer nights and the frosty weather can also make it difficult to get a peaceful night’s sleep. If you’re experiencing disrupted sleeping patterns in the winter, we’ve compiled a list of effective methods to help sleep better during the chilly calendar months.
Heat your home
The first step to a nice relaxing sleep is to create a warm and inviting home space. Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature (be careful not to overheat your home!) and block out any unwanted drafts using draft excluders and by keeping doors closed where possible.
Braving the outdoors? Before you grab your sleeping bag and thermals, check out our helpful tips and tricks on How to Sleep While Camping too.
Get regular exercise during the day
Physical activity can have a significant effect on sleep quality. Try to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise during the day to help benefit from a deeper sleep.
Though neglecting to stay active during the winter months may come easy, exercise helps not only your quality of sleep, but you’ll find yourself feeling less tired and groggy in the mornings too. Use exercise as an opportunity to spend time outdoors also, as it’s vital to expose yourself to natural light during the day to help reset your circadian rhythm and boost your mood.
Diet can also influence your quality of sleep. Healthier eating has many benefits for your overall well-being but opting for lighter, nutritious meals in the evening can help prevent discomfort or bloating that can make drifting off to sleep tricky.
Take a relaxing bath
A quick way to reach the ideal state before sleeping is to take a warm, relaxing bath. Bathing raises body temperature, relaxes muscles and often causes drowsiness – perfect for preparing both the mind and body for a good night’s sleep.
There are a whole host of benefits to bathing too, Take a look at our blog here to find out all the ways a steamy soak in the tub can impact your health and well-being.
Looking for a luxurious, fluffy towel to dry yourself off with after? Check out our range of hotel-quality bath towels and bath sheets.
Establish a bedtime routine
Help signal to your body that it’s time to sleep by implementing, and sticking to, a consistent bedtime routine. Set aside some time at the end of the day if you can for some reading or soothing meditation techniques as an alternative to scrolling through social media on your phone. Aim to turn off any electronic devices at least half an hour before bed as the blue light emitted by screens can interfere with melatonin production.
Also, try to set a regular sleep and wake time – even for the weekends. Consistent sleep times will help regulate the body’s internal clock therefore improving sleep quality.
Wear warm sleepwear
Pyjamas are the marmite of clothing, in the respect that you either love or hate wearing them. Though as they cover the whole body, they’re a great way to keep warm when it’s cold outside. If you’re looking for a set that can keep you toasty and cosy in the winter yet fresh and cool during the summer, our Lazy Linen pyjamas are just what you’re looking for.
Invest in quality bedding
Create the ultimate bedroom setting with some comfortable bedding. Cotton is designed to trap body heat and provide greater insulation so for colder nights, cotton duvet covers and bed sheets are ideal. Weightier duvets are also recommended for use in colder weather. We have a selection of 13.5 tog duvets at Vision Linens Home that will help keep you snug and shrouded in warmth during the winter months.
Layer your bed
Use blankets or throws to layer your bedding and create a warm and cosy atmosphere in bed. The feet are often the first to feel the cold, so keep them covered with layers to conserve body heat. These can be added or removed during the night as your body temperature adjusts.
Sleep with a hot water bottle
Perhaps one of the oldest and simplest of remedies, fill a hot water bottle with hot water and place it in your bed to warm up your bedding before hitting the hay. Some hot water bottles are safe to sleep with, which means you can benefit from the warmth of a bottle throughout the night too.
Winter doesn’t have to mean sleepless nights. By creating a warm, cosy atmosphere, establishing a bedtime routine, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can ensure relaxing and restful sleep during the colder months.
Have you somehow stumbled upon our blog at the height of Summer? Well, you’re in luck as we’ve also compiled a list of helpful tips on ‘How To Sleep Well In Warmer Weather’ too. Check it out here!
