At Wild Clouds, we know how vital it is to get a good night’s sleep. That’s why we’re celebrating National Bed Month, a holiday that dates back to 1990. Every March, The Sleep Council and The National Bed Federation promote the importance of healthy sleep and the necessity of a comfortable, supportive bed.
It seems fitting that it’s also World Sleep Day this month, which will take place on the 18th March. Ran by the World Sleep Society, the annual event celebrates sleep and raises awareness about the prevention and management of sleep disorders.
To mark both occasions, we wanted to share our top tips for getting the best beauty sleep. Rest assured, these tips will have you dreaming of wild clouds (did you see what we did there?)
Why you need good sleep
When we live very busy lives, the first thing we neglect is a healthy sleep routine. We’ve all been there: binge-watching a Netflix show when you have an early start the next day, drinking caffeine too late or not being able to switch off our thoughts.
We need to start treating good sleep as a necessity, not a bonus, because it’s an essential function that lets our body and mind recharge. When you spend an average of 26 years of your life sleeping, that time should be spent well. After all, it’s what prepares you to live out the other two thirds of your life!
The average adult needs 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, but research by the Sleep Council found that only 10% of Brits go to bed between 9 pm and 10 pm, while almost one-third of Brits don’t get enough sleep at all. Why is this bad? Irregular or too little sleep affects our ability to focus and remember, compromises our immune system, and has links to depression. Studies show that more sleep, conversely, can make your skin look younger and enhance your athleticism. The science proves that we deserve to rest and rest often, so don’t sleep on these tips!
How to get a good night’s sleep
Look the part: We think good sleep starts with a good pair of pyjamas. Why? Because pjs are comfortable, cold-preventative and aid in bed hygiene. We might be biassed, but we think our WIld Clouds mix-and-match sets make for the best pyjamas. Our signature organic cotton and linen blend is lightweight, breathable and incredibly soft on the skin.
Take a bed MOT: What you’re sleeping on plays a huge part in how well you do. This is the advice offered in the Sleep Council’s MOT tool, which allows you to assess the comfortability of your bed and spot the thing that is preventing you from sleeping.
Give your phone a bedtime: We’ve talked about this before, but your phone shouldn’t be the last thing you see before you go to bed. The glaring blue light interferences with our body clock and makes us feel groggy and disoriented when we awake. That’s why it’s best to switch off from your phone at least an hour before you plan to hit the hay. Most phones have a bedtime mode setting that silences your phone and tints the screen greyscale.. If temptation is too much, ban digital devices from the bedroom and go old school with an alarm clock. For more digital detox tips, check out our guide here.
Stay away from caffeine: Caffeine is a stimulant, which is the last thing we need before sleep. The recommended cut-off time for caffeine use is a minimum of six hours before bedtime.
Invest in a good mattress: This year’s National Bed Month theme is ‘Wake Up on the Right Side, with the Right Bed’ and it’s easy to see why! Saggy, lumpy and worn mattress are not only uncomfortable, they can be damaging to our bodies, leaving you with aching joints. Make sure to replace your mattress every 7-10 years, to ensure it retains its quality and effectiveness. You’ll want to consider the size, filling and material - memory foam is all the range these days - and whether you have any allergies.
Keep a sleep diary: If you’re having trouble sleeping and can’t understand why, keeping a sleep diary can help identify what’s keeping you awake. After two weeks, you’ll have a useful record to help you, or your GP, identify any patterns and sleep-preventative problems. The Sleep Charity has a free diary template, and there are also a number of free sleep-tracking apps out there, like SleepScore and Sleep++.
Switch up your bedding: By enhancing cosiness and relieving anxiety, bedding provides that comfort element of sleep. Switching between seasonal bedding also helps regulate your body temperature.
Create a sleep-friendly environment: A cool, dark, quiet and clutter-free space is the ideal sleep environment, so it’s better to sleep in a room that is sound-proof and well-ventilated. We personally love our eye masks because they help block out light. Knowing they’re made from factory offcuts also helps us drift off easier!
Experiment with your nighttime routine: You probably have a morning routine that sets you up for the day, so why not have a nighttime routine that helps you unwind! Finding what relaxes you the most, like a warm bath, essential oils, reading, yoga or meditative sounds, will help you switch off for the day.
