Winter is the perfect time for restorative sleep. When we pause to observe how animals adapt to changing seasons through hibernation, we can reflect on our own habits of bedding down. After the hectic social months in the summer, when we look to make the most of the weather, the winter months bring a sense of calm and a chance to get back into routines, and, with the right environment, a good night’s sleep.
Bedding Down
The Art of Sleep
Sleep is an essential aspect of human life, playing a pivotal role in maintaining physical, mental and emotional well-being. The quality of our sleep and, consequently, our overall health are greatly influenced by a set of practices. We need to sleep deeply to allow our bodies to repair tissues, build muscle and bone, and strengthen our immune system.
In essence, sleep is giving other bedroom activities healthy competition. Winding down for bed, there is nothing as important, and often overlooked, as the role the bed plays in inducing sleep.
It’s an unadulterated luxury, crawling into bed at night
The Princess and The Pea
There are a few things in life that I hold in such importance, and my bed is one of them. Forever the Princess with the pea, my bed is my throne. It all matters. Where do I start? The choice in bed linen, the mattress, the scent, the duvet, the thread count, the pillows, and, least of all, the environment. I can’t stand creases, and yes, I have been known to get the iron out to smooth them down!
What makes a perfect bed? Well, that is a very personal matter. For the consumer, there is no shortage of products that promise a night of uninterrupted sleep. The sleep market is literally overwhelming.
One of the better investments you can make in your health is your bed. A comfortable, supportive bed lets you relax fully. If you are no stranger to waking up through the night, focusing on comfort is paramount.
Whilst sensing that I may be sleeping on a pea may upset my deep sleep, improving the quality of the bed linen can have an impact on my quality of sleep. Whilst we spend around a third of our lives in bed, is it time to invest in the bed linen? You should get the best sheets one can afford. Slipping between the sheets should be a small win. Choosing from fabulously exquisite, monogrammed sheets in pure cotton and linen, silk, and percale, one paramount thing is that what you sleep in is as important as what you sleep on. Better comfort and temperature regulation, along with the benefits to your skin’s health from contact with less irritating materials, often mean a softer, more luxurious, and restful sleeping environment.
What’s on the “Pillow” Menu?
What we favour as the best bedding is unique to us. Having the right pillow can prevent neck and back pain and improve your breathing, so it’s essential to get it right. Unfortunately, there is no secret guide to choosing the right pillow. It’s a bit of trial and error and finding what works best for you. But once you know, you know. It’s little wonder that better hotels offer a Pillow Menu. What an absolutely perfect idea for someone as particular as myself. The pillow menu is the equivalent of choosing whether you prefer your martini dry or dirty, shaken or stirred.
Can a duvet really impact your sleep? If your own bed is not host to your best night’s sleep, it could be that your duvet or pillows need changing. It’s perhaps a good idea to change the duvet as the cooler months arrive. Your comfort levels can depend on whether you prefer to be weighted down or covered with a light, weightless, soft covering at night. Choosing a duvet isn’t just about its tog rating; it’s also about how it affects our body temperature and helps prevent the cold.
Quality Sleep
Sleep consultants will encourage you to invest in the best mattress you can afford. It’s a foundational purchase. A good mattress should help you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The balance of support and cushioning helps our spine to relieve pressure points, which can reduce back pain, poor posture and chronic pain from a sagging mattress. If you’ve had a night of uninterrupted sleep, you are more likely to overcome emotional resilience throughout the day. I know that I literally cannot cope emotionally following a bad night’s sleep. In contrast, my mood and energy levels are drastically improved after better sleep, and not on a recurring spin cycle.
Many people underestimate the importance of investing in a bed specifically designed for them. Yet, a handcrafted mattress, tailored to an individual’s preferences, can ensure the best possible night’s sleep.
Savoir Beds
Although the upfront investment is high, a good mattress will serve you well over time, especially since you’ll probably not have to change it as frequently. High-quality mattresses generally use breathable materials and cooling technology to help prevent overheating. For those who share a bed, the support of a good mattress means your partner is less likely to disturb you during the night.
The British brand known for producing some of the world’s most luxurious mattresses, Savoir beds, has been known to me for many years. They are also the most expensive on the market, hence why I have yet to own one. Some may have Porsches and Astons on their wish list; mine is a Savoir bed.
Emotional Balance
Above all, a comfortable and inviting bed offers a sanctuary after a long day. There is nothing so enticing as understanding that your bed awaits. Helping the mind to slow down, it is no wonder it is linked to reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Now the clocks have turned back, and we settle into new rhythms, it is too familiar for many to experience SAD, a condition where individuals suffer mood changes, decreased energy levels and heightened feelings of loneliness with reduced exposure to natural daylight. When the body is physically comfortable and well-rested, stress hormone levels are lower, improving mood, focus, and overall emotional balance.
Setting the Mood
Where you sleep has to be one of the most significant aspects in our lives. As a designer, I have always encouraged clients to sense the importance of the main bedroom. This is, after all, the last thing you see at night and the first sight in the morning. Creating a calm environment where you can unwind and relax before bedtime is essential to your sleep hygiene.
In the cooler months, the atmosphere shifts more to creating sensory additions such as scent. Lighting can transform your room into a space that feels indulgent and luxurious. Bedside lamps and warm bulbs create softer tones. Autumnal scents in the bedroom evoke comfort and warmth.
Sleep Experience
If all else fails, there is no shortage of performance-boosting supplements and experiences to help induce sleep. Herbal supplements, including magnesium, night elixirs, and teas. Bath salts to induce a deeper sleep zone, hypnotic aids and sound machines, as well as weighted blankets and custom-made mattresses.
An early night, a good book and a sleepy tea. That may have my vote.
Optimise your sleep environment with healthy lifestyle habits:
🔹 Invest in a comfortable and supportive mattress
🔹 Good quality breathable bedlinen in cotton or linen to regulate body temperature.
🔹 Warm breathable duvet
🔹 Choosing the correct pillow that are right for your style.
🔹 Develop a relaxing pre-sleep ritual to signal your body its time to unwind down, such a a warm bath, herbal tea or reading a book.
🔹 Create a calm sanctuary in the bedroom with ambient lighting, dark, quiet environment and a relaxing candle.
🔹 Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol in the hours leading up to bedtime and limit electronics an hour before sleep.
