How to sleep better

Getting a good night’s sleep directly affects our mental and physical health. Fall short, and it will have a negative effect on your daytime energy, productivity, emotional balance, and even your weight.

Yet many of us regularly toss and turn at night, struggling to get the sleep we deserve. Getting a good night’s sleep may seem like an impossible goal when you’re wide awake at 1 a.m., but you have much more control over the quality of your sleep than you probably realize. Just a few healthy tweaks in your daily routine, sleeping environment, and some sleep enhancing products will help you enjoy a great night’s rest.

Are you sleep deprived?

If you have ever spent a night tossing and turning, then you already know how you will feel the next day — tired, cranky, and out of sorts. But missing out on the recommended 7 to 9 hours of good sleep does more than make you feel grumpy.

Aside from droopy eyelids and persistent yawning, here are some side effects of sleep deprivation.

Feeling irritable

Just one sleepless night can leave you feeling moody in the morning – you may also find it hard to concentrate on tasks.

Feeling hungry

Finding yourself reaching for more snacks? then it might be because you are not getting enough sleep. If you’re not getting energy from sleep you may compensate with sugary food.

Feeling ill
Can’t seem to shake a cold? A prolonged lack of sleep can affect your immune system so you’re more likely to catch bugs.

So to avoid all of these and many more issues that can arise as a result of sleep deprivation, it’s essential to make sure you are getting a good night’s rest.

Tips on how to get a great night’s sleep

Tired of tossing and turning at night? These simple tips and products can help you sleep better and be more energetic and productive during the day.

Get a comfortable bed, mattress, and pillow

Some people wonder why they always sleep better in a hotel, well that is because most of them are designed with comfortability in mind. Apart from the relaxing environment, the quality of your bed, mattress, and bedding can also affect your sleep. So to enjoy a good sleep, choose the right level of comfort and coziness for you.

Beds

We already know a bed is very important in a bedroom but the question is what type of bed? Going for a bed that is not well made will not only make you uncomfortable but also deprive you of good rest. So to enjoy a good night’s rest, make sure to go for a bed that is of good quality and comfortable enough to help you sleep well.

Mattresses

We spend about a third of every day in bed. Whether that time is spent blissfully slumbering, or tossing and turning, depends a lot on our mattress. Mattress quality matters! Buy the best mattress you can afford and choose one which suits your preference.  Whether you prefer your mattress soft, medium, or hard, you will find a wide range at Argos.

Pillows

Your pillow is an important sleep aid. A single pillow is all you need for sleep, but having two, can make all the difference to your comfort when relaxing in bed before sleep.  Pillows lose shape and support over time, so check your pillow, and choose one that’s more supportive, orthopedic, or hypoallergenic.

Duvets

If you use the same duvet year-round you may find you’re too hot in summer or too cold in winter. If this is the case then maybe it’s time to tweak your tog for a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Reduce blue light exposure at night

Exposure to light during the day is beneficial, but night time light exposure, has the opposite effect. So avoid looking at your phone or tablet when you’re in bed – the screen’s ‘blue’ light prevents sleep. If possible switch off completely to stop beeps, buzzes, and standby lights waking you up.

Declutter your bedroom

A cluttered bedroom can have a negative effect on the quality of sleep we get. So, keep your room clutter-free, to create space where you can relax, unwind, and eventually nod off. Get a storage bed or add extra storage to tidy everything away.

Keep a sleep diary

Make a note of how much sleep you’re getting, and what’s keeping you up at night, to see what sleep technique works better for you. Many activity trackers can sync sleep stats straight to your smartphone.

Shop sleep trackers > Argos

Optimize your bedroom environment

Your sleeping environment can affect the quality of sleep you get. The room temperature, internal and external noises, internal and external lights, and even the furniture arrangement can affect your sleep.

To optimize your bedroom environment, try to minimize external noise, light, and artificial lights from devices like mobiles, laptops and alarm clocks. Make sure your bedroom is a quiet, dark, and clean.

Adjust your lighting with black out curtains & blinds

If you find it difficult to sleep at night, as a result of external light coming in from your window, then we’ve got a solution for you. Blackout blinds and curtains are a simple fix. They have a thick thermal lining that blocks out light and keeps your room cool too.

Shop blackout blinds & curtains > Argos

Use a heater, cooler or purifier

Not getting the temperature right, can leave you feeling flustered and restless. A cool 16-18°C is recommended for adults – kids and the elderly may prefer it a little warmer.

Quiet fans, cooling mattresses and lightweight bedding will help get the temperature right or invest in smart heating for the ultimate control.

Shop bedroom cooling & heating solutions > Argos

Relax with soothing scents

Some scents can help you relax and can aid better rest. Lavender is the classic scent for sleep, but chamomile, bergamot, rose and jasmine also have calming effects. Make your own with water and dry lavender or pick up a diffuser.

Shop sleepy scents > Argos

Need more inspiration?

Shop Argos sleep essentials > Argos

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