Sleep Well

No More Counting Sheep

bedtime

Improve your sleep routine

by Leave a Comment

We all lead busy lives.  Many of us work late and fall into bed far later than planned, with no thought for a bedtime routine. This inevitably leaves us feeling drowsy and groggy the next day.  Sound like a familiar sleep/wake cycle?

To break bad habits and increase your chance of getting eight a night, try some of these slip tips:

Stay away from electronic devices

Whether it’s a mobile phone, a laptop or a TV, you should avoid exposure to ‘blue light’ about 45 minutes before you head to bed. Blue light screens suppress the production of melatonin, which is the hormone your body produces to help you get to sleep.

Exercise during the day

People who exercise regularly sleep better at night and feel more alert during the day.  Just 10 minutes of exercise a day can help you reset your sleep wake cycle. Exercising makes you tired which means you’re more likely to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep.

Listen to your body’s natural cycle

Avoid extended napping wherever possible and make every effort to head to bed at the same time every evening. The same goes for waking up, even on a weekend. If you need to recover from a late night then it’s fine to nap in the day to top up your sleep quota. Nap for around 15-30 minutes, no later than 5pm.

Wind down and relax

If you find yourself tossing and turning at night with a head full of worry, try to find ways that help you relax in the evening. It could be taking a bath, reading a book or following some simple, mindful, breathing techniques. Download your thoughts in a journal before getting into bed, leaving your mind clear and ready for sleep.

Improve your sleep environment

A peaceful bedtime routine sends a powerful signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down and get ready to sleep well.  Make sure your room is dark and quiet; a sanctuary where you can feel safe and relaxed. And only get into bed when it’s time to go to sleep. If you can, get rid of the TV and any other distractions altogether from the bedroom and just use it as a place to relax and sleep.

Keep kids calm over Christmas

by Leave a Comment

Are your ears ringing with the words “How many sleeps till Christmas”? If they are, here are a few ideas for pre-bedtime activities to help keep kids calm over Christmas. They’re all aimed at ensuring your children remain happy, tired and ready for bed.

5 sleeps to Christmas 🌿

Crafty Christmas Fun

Get a Christmas decoration kit. There are plenty on offer from a variety of retailers. Or why not go DIY? Nothing beats sticking bits of cotton wool together to create a little snowman, or covering your entire kitchen in glitter as you make your own Christmas cards. Honestly, try it. It is fun.

Plus… we all love a good bit of colouring in, whatever age we are. Why not try one of our Sleep Well Christmas colouring sheets? Download them here, here and here. Then sit down around your table with a delicious mug of Sleep Well hot chocolate. The totally natural sleep aid that is safe for all the family, so you can look forward to a peaceful night.

4 sleeps to Christmas 🌿

Christmas Treasure Hunt

We used to get our children to do these and they loved them, whatever the time of year. Come up with a list of easy festive clues. How about ‘where the turkey is going to be cooked’. Answer: the oven. Or ‘where Santa will wash his socks’. Answer: the washing machine.

Give them the first clue and then put each subsequent clue in the place that the previous one leads them to. At the end, there can be a prize. Although we guarantee that kids (young and old!) will have far more fun hunting than they will getting the prize. Most importantly, make sure there’s a prize for each child as you don’t want tears at Christmas!

3 sleeps to Christmas

Festive movie or story magic

There’s nothing better to keep kids calm at Christmas than all curling up together and watching a Christmas movie. There’s sure to be some old favourites on offer, as well as new ones. Check out Good Housekeeping’s list of ‘Best Christmas movies of all time‘.

Don’t forget to have a Sleep Well hot chocolate while you’re watching, to make everyone feel more relaxed and ready for bed. Just make sure dad doesn’t snore through the film and drown out the best bits!

2 sleeps to Christmas

Festive Baking

We know that the little ones can sometimes be a much bigger distraction when they’re trying to ‘help’ you, but baking with them at Christmas can be fun.

The easiest thing to do is give them their own bit of pastry or mixing bowl of goodies and let them make a mess with theirs while you practice your Great British Bake Off techniques alone. BBC Good Food has some great recipes.

1 sleep to Christmas: Christmas Eve

Hopefully you’re all ready for Christmas and you can spend some time together having quality family time.  Here are a few more Christmas activities for you and your children to have a fun but relaxing day:

Keep kids calm on Christmas eve

  • Go for a walk: This will serve two purposes, firstly it will be enjoyable (as long as it’s not raining) and secondly getting fresh air and exercise will help them sleep later.
  • Christmas eve boxes have become popular and it’s a wonderful way to spread the giving. The perfect kind of Christmas eve gifts include cosy pyjamas and a nice Christmas themed story book. Or how about a game that the whole family can play?
Keep kids calm at Christmas with an outdoor walk
  • Scatter reindeer food and prepare a little treat for Santa. Reindeer food is very easy to make. Simply get some edible glitter from the cake decoration section of your supermarket and mix in with some oats. As for Santa’s treat? Well, he’ll probably like something that might also take your fancy.
  • Track Santa’s journey as he heads across the globe with the Norad Santa Tracker. Kids love watching his progress across the world and it’s a brilliant countdown to when he arrives.

Stock up on Sleep Well to help keep kids calm this Christmas

Finally, don’t forget a nice drink of Sleep Well milk which will help calm everyone down ready for bed. Sleep Well contains a herb called Valerian. It’s safe for all the family and can be drunk hot or cold. The perfect, family friendly bedtime treat. It’s available in chocolate, vanilla, or oat milk.

Wishing you all a very happy, relaxing and sleep-filled Christmas. The Sleep Well team ⭐️

Would you like to get more tips and exclusive Sleep Well discounts? Sign up to our newsletter for more sleep tips. 👇🏻

Avoid Clock Shock

by Leave a Comment

The clock change: it happens twice a year, every year and yet it still seems to unsettle and confuse us. Come rain or shine, each March and October, we’re scratching our heads trying to work out whether we’ll receive the mystical gift of an extra hour in duvet-land or if we’re about to be robbed of our prized beauty sleep. At least our all-knowing iPhones never get confused, meaning we have no excuse for being late to work!

TIME TO CHANGE THE CLOCKS

The UK reverts to Greenwich Mean Time at 2am on Sunday 30th October, when all the clocks are turned back to 1am. Remember this idiom to help you: Spring forward, Fall back. The clocks always go forward an hour on the last weekend in March in spring and go back on the final weekend of October in autumn.

WHY DO THE CLOCKS CHANGE ANYWAY?

American President Benjamin Franklin first came up with the idea to change clock times whilst in Paris in 1784. He suggested that if people got up earlier when it was lighter, then it would save on candles. The idea first arrived in the UK after Coldplay singer Chris Martin’s great-great-grandfather, the builder William Willett, thought Britons were wasting valuable morning hours during the winter. In 1907, he published a leaflet called The Waste of Daylight, encouraging people to get out of bed earlier.  His successful campaign resulted in the Summer Time Act 1916 and we’ve been springing forward and falling back ever since.

GET OUT AND SOAK UP THE DAYLIGHT

So it’s time to say bye-bye to summertime for another six months, but it’s not all bad. Relish those extra 60 minutes in bed and remember the mornings will also be lighter, so make an effort to make the most of this time.  Getting out and enjoying the daylight really can help to combat sleepiness and winter sadness.

Most importantly, don’t forget to pay homage to the darkest and finest day of the year for sleeping, Thursday 21st December, when there will be just seven hours and 49 minutes of daylight. The sun rises at 8:03am and sets at 3:53pm, so be grateful for a valid excuse to get to bed – you can regain the lost wakeful hours during the longest day of the year next June, when you’ll get 16 hours and 50 minutes of daylight.

TIPS FOR ADJUSTING TO THE HOUR CHANGE

  • When the clocks first go back, mornings are lighter so ensure bedrooms are kept dark with blinds or curtains.
  • Alter bedtime gradually over the few days beforehand to adjust to the new time. This will minimise the impact on your body’s circadian rhythm.
  • Maintain bedtime routines. Get ready for bed in the same order e.g pyjamas on, teeth brushed, bedtime story.
  • You know the drill on this one: try and turn off all screens at least an hour before bedtime.
  • Enjoy a warm, milky drink like Sleep Well to encourage sleepiness and avoid stimulating food and drink just before sleep.
  • Make sure all the clocks are correct.

GO WITH IT

For many, the October clock change marks the beginning of winter and this often symbolises a significant change in our routine and daily activities. Long gone are the heady days of summer, when strolls at dusk and post-work picnics frequent the agenda. It’s the season of board games, roast dinners and pyjama Sundays. So, eat heartily, dress warmly and get friendly with Netflix. It’s an important time to rest and recuperate, flow with nature’s cycles and slip into a gentle hibernation mode, making the most of those cosy, early nights and the simple joy of sleeping well.

Children’s bedtime cough

by Leave a Comment

“I would love some understanding on my children’s bedtime cough, which disturbs them at least 50 % of nights. They are 3 & 2, we don’t smoke and have tried all sorts of remedies such as cold mist humidifiers & air purifiers. We have no pets. They don’t seem to cough in the day unless poorly, but consistently cough most nights and they can’t sleep because of it. This even happens with naps.”

If the bedtime cough only occurs at night, there are a couple of possible explanations. Firstly it could be due to asthma as the drop in cortisol at night could trigger this. Secondly, it could be due to acid reflux which can worsen at night due to the horizonal position. Finally, it could be due to allergies (e.g. pets, pollen, dust).

I suggest speaking to your doctor first to investigate. If due to acid reflux, sleeping propped up with a pillow can help. Also not eating close to bedtime and avoiding fatty or acidic foods. If due to allergies, you can buy hypoallergenic pillows but also remember to wash duvets, blankets, pillows, cuddly toys and don’t let animals in the bedroom.

If you have a question for our sleep expert then send them over. Simply email [email protected] and we’ll email you directly with Christabel’s reply. To check out her other blog posts click here.

My child can’t sleep

by Leave a Comment

“My 5 year old boy used to be a fantastic sleeper, since he started school last year he wakes up to 5 or 6 times a night shouting for us saying he is scared, even if we are in the room with him he still wakes and says he is scared. We have tried everything and it is now effecting our mental health (we both work) and I want to help my son and allow him to sleep again. He has lost the ability to put himself to sleep and is very restless and fidgety. Any help and advice would be amazing please.”

Children’s sleep is often disrupted during times of change and transition and starting school is a very big change. It sounds like there is some anxiety that was triggered by starting school. Speak to your son about how he is finding school. Is there anything he is worried about? Ensure you spend quality time with him outside of school. 

Make sure he has a relaxing routine before sleep: a shower or bath, then reading to him with lights low. Talk to him about how he can settle himself in the night if he wakes: is there a favourite teddy he can cuddle. Give him a side light he can put on to reassure himself if he is scared of the dark. 

If the anxiety doesn’t settle down, speak to your GP about getting some specialist support. Or you could find a child sleep therapist who is trained by the children’s sleep charity. 

Click here for more information on children’s sleep issues.

If you have a question for our sleep expert then send them over. Simply email [email protected] and we’ll email you directly with Christabel’s reply. To check out her other blog posts click here.

Sleep FAQs

by Leave a Comment

We were proud to work with Dr Hillary Jones recently to be featured in his Live to 100 magazine which is available through news outlets across the UK as well as online (click here for latest edition).  Working with our sleep expert Dr Neil Stanley, we pulled together this sleep FAQ and were keen to share it with you here.  Hope it helps you sleep well.

 

  1. In what way can the quality of my sleep affect my health?

More than half of Britons say stress or worry keeps them awake at night, and a third of adults in the UK have taken medication in an attempt to relieve sleeping problems.  A third! However, the cost of all those sleepless nights is more than just bad moods and a lack of focus. Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Sleep debt is such a huge issue in today’s society due to our “always on” lifestyles and people are now waking up to the benefits of a great night’s sleep.

 

  1. What are the main factors that can disrupt my sleep?

Take a look at your lifestyle to see if there are things that may be causing your sleep disruption.  These could be your diet, exercise patterns (or lack of exercise) and your sleeping environment.  Is your room too hot or too cold? Do you have a partner that disrupts your sleep? Are you stressed and find that your worries are stopping you from nodding off? Then consider your sleep schedule.  Ideally you would enjoy a regular relaxing bedtime routine that allows your mind to unwind and you will be going to bed and getting up at the same time, even at the weekends.

 

  1. How many hours of sleep should I be getting per night?

The Sleep Council says the recommended sleep for 18-65 year olds is seven to nine hours a night.  Some people need more, some less.  The real sign of whether or not you are getting enough sleep is if you feel tired in the day. Worryingly, the average UK person is under sleeping by at least an hour a night.  We’re a tired bunch and it’s really impacting our health and wellbeing!

 

  1. What measures can I take to make sure I’m getting the right amount of sleep every night?

There isn’t a one size fits all solution to sleeping.  Find out what works for you and try to establish a bedtime routine.  These three key elements will really help you get your eight a night:

 

  1. A Quiet Mind

The number one essential for getting to sleep is a quiet mind. If you find yourself tossing and turning at night with a head full of worry, get up and only go back to bed when you feel tired. Try writing down what is worrying you in a journal before bed to give your mind permission to switch off and pick things back up in the morning.

 

  1. A Relaxed Body

Try to find ways to help you relax in the evening.  It could be by enjoying a warm milk drink, having a long soak in the bath or by snuggling up with a great book.  Trying deep breathing practices can also help you relax and prepare your mind and body for sleep.

 

  1. A Bedroom For Sleeping

The bedroom should be a sanctuary reserved for sleep.   Somewhere not too hot or cold – the ideal temperature should be around 16-18°C (60-65°F). Your bedroom should be pleasant and relaxing with fresh air and blackout curtains.  Invest in a high quality and comfortable bed and go for the biggest one you can fit in your bedroom.

 

  1. Recently, I’ve been struggling to fall asleep. What can I do?

One of the most important things you can do is to establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine. When we were younger most of us had an established bedtime routine.  Now, many of us work late and fall into bed far later than planned, with no thought for a bedtime routine. Creating this sleep routine will signal to the body that it is time for sleep and will allow you to put the stresses and worries of the day behind you.  What you do just before you go to sleep directly affects the quality and duration of your sleep.

 

  1. Does what I eat and drink throughout the day affect the quality of my sleep?

We know that certain foods and drinks can interfere with sleep, the most obvious ones being caffeine and alchohol. A heavy meal close to bedtime may make you less comfortable when you settle down for your night’s rest. At the same time, going to bed hungry can be just as disruptive to sleep as going to bed too full. Enjoying a light meal a good few hours before you plan to sleep should set you up for the best chance of getting a good night’s rest.

 

  1. Is napping during the day disrupting my sleeping schedule?

Whilst naps will never make up for a poor night’s sleep, a short nap of just 20-30 minutes can help pep you up, both improving your performance and reducing the number of mistakes you’re likely to make during the day if you’re overtired. Psychologically, a nap also feels like a ‘treat’, providing much needed respite from a stressful day and improving your overall sense of wellbeing.

However the best way to get a good night’s sleep is to be awake during the day.  It sounds obvious but sleeping in late and excessive napping will play havoc with your sleep patterns.

 

  1. Are there any products available on the market that can help me have a better night’s sleep?

Sleep Well is made from three simple and nutritious ingredients associated with a good night’s sleep: pure wholesome Jersey milk, honey and valerian.  Because of its relaxing ingredients, Sleep Well helps to calm you down. It’s perfect for those nights you really need to sleep but your brain won’t switch off. Drinking Sleep Well thirty minutes before you want to sleep can help you wind down and have a restful night.  Delicious drunk warm or cold, Sleep Well is available in handy 200 ml ‘sip and sleep’ cartons.

Buy Sleep Well here…