Mark Tremlett, Founder of Naturalmat, shares his insight on creating effective sleep resolutions, helping you to rest better and start the new year feeling refreshed

The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect, reset and commit to healthier habits that improve your wellbeing. Although often neglected, sleep is one of the most important contributors to both physical and mental health, playing a crucial role in recovery and renewal. Therefore ensuring you get a good quality, undisturbed night’s sleep is key to boosting your overall well-being.

Find your sleep routine

To maximise potential sleep, aim to go to bed and wake up as close to your own circadian rhythm as possible. People often decide what time to go to sleep based on the wrong reasons: matching their partner’s routine, completing work tasks, or staying up late watching films, playing games, or socialising.

Whilst we all may cut back on sleep from time to time for these reasons, doing this frequently will start to affect your mental and physical well-being. It’s best to start by figuring out what time you usually begin to feel sleepy in the evening and take that as your bedtime signal.

Invest in seasonal appropriate bedding

If you are comfortable and at the right temperature throughout the night, you are much more likely to get a good night’s sleep. Combining seasonal bedding with a healthy sleep routine means you’ll sleep well all year round, no matter the weather, which will in turn boost your mood, energy levels and make you more productive.

While we think it’s a great idea to have seasonal bedding, we know that it’s probably not practical to have to house four sets of bedding throughout the year. However, having at least one set for warm seasons and one for the colder seasons is a good place to start.

A heavy duvet with a 9 tog rating should give you all the warmth and comfort you need when it’s cold outside, and a lighter duvet with a 4.5 tog rating will keep you much cooler in the late spring and summer.

Minimise distractions

Create a bedtime routine you will look forward to each night. Start by putting away electronics that emit blue light, avoid consuming caffeine too close to bedtime, and allow yourself to take some time to unwind. Whether you prefer to wind down with a good book or listen to white noise, look to more calming, mindful activities that will prepare your body and mind for sleep.

Opt for breathable materials

Although the tog plays a large part in the warmth a duvet provides, the materials and filling also have a crucial role. For optimal breathability, it’s recommended to choose a natural duvet. One of the most popular choices – and for good reason – are duck and goose down duvets. They are exceptionally soft and comfortable, with a lightweight quality that makes them feel wonderfully airy. This airy nature allows them to effectively disperse heat when it gets too hot, ensuring a cool and pleasant night’s sleep. Another great option is a wool duvet, they work wonders in the winter months at keeping you toasty, but release the heat when it gets a little too warm, making it a great all-rounder.

It’s also recommended to embrace natural materials through your choice of mattress too, avoiding synthetic materials that may cause you to overheat whilst you sleep, instead looking for natural fibre or pocket spring mattresses made with healthier, more breathable alternatives such as organic wool and natural latex.

You can also opt for breathable bed linen, such as duvet covers and pillowcases made from organic linen, cotton or hemp. Hemp, in particular, is one of bedding’s best-kept secrets. Hypoallergenic and featuring hollow fibres that optimise airflow, hemp bed linen keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Learn more about Naturalmat via naturalmat.co.uk or visit the Knutsford showroom

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