The term “sleep hygiene” is a bit of a strange one and has recently been bandied around a lot by the media, but contrary to what it may sound like, sleep hygiene is the term used for creating and maintaining good habits and practices around your sleep routine.
Healthy sleep is the cornerstone of any healthy, happy lifestyle and often our relationship with sleep can be tricky at best. Good sleep can help us to keep stress at bay, to think more clearly, to handle unexpected problems and even to keep our weight in check. In fact, disturbed sleep has also been linked to increased incidences of dementia.
With that being said, there are lots of different ways to improve your sleep hygiene but for the team at Scentered, the most important thing to begin with is discipline.
One night of doing all these things will not suddenly make you a great sleeper; it’s something you may need to stick with for a while before you see results. Studies have shown that routine and habits are really important aspects of sleep hygiene. Getting up and going to bed at the same time every day can be difficult, but they are the best way to ensure a good sleep routine. That means even on weekends and bank holidays, staying up to watch movies or laying in bed until lunch-time is a bad idea. A steady, repetitive bedtime routine can be great for winding down and signifying to your body that it’s time to sleep. Things like taking a bath, reading a book in bed, ensuring there is low lighting are great ways to ensure the perfect night’s sleep.
Putting your phone to bed an hour before you go to sleep allows your mind to switch off. You’ll avoid the annoying effects of the blue light on your device, which keeps so many of us awake at night. Instead, try a short meditation, or some light yoga, to help you relax.
And of course, you could always try applying Scentered's Sleep Well Balm and Silk Eye Cushion from their Sleep Essential set. Their Sleep Well balms and candles are 100% natural and contain up to 14 essential oils, leaving you feeling relaxed, calm and ready for a good night’s sleep. Apply your balm to pulse points before bed and enjoy the natural aromas of Palmarosa, Lavender and Ylang Ylang. A daily dose of Omega 3 wouldn't go amiss, either!
For more on how important it is to get a great night's sleep check out our article on how lack of sleep can affect your health.
