How to Curate Your Best Sleep
A great night of sleep starts before your head hits the pillow.
Creating the right environment is critical for putting you in the right headspace to fall asleep and stay asleep all night long. Everything from your bedding to the room temperature has an impact and for National Sleep Awareness Month, we’re walking you through a few simple steps that you can take to improve your overall sleep health.
1. Bedding
From fabrication to thread count to style, there seems to be an endless amount of bedding options. But which one is the best? The truth is, there’s no one superior sheet. The “best” sheet is the one that’s most comfortable to you!
When picking out your sheets, prioritize your comfort needs. Cold sleeper? You may want to go for insulating sherpa or a cozy plush. Warm sleeper? You might gravitate towards lightweight cotton or a breathable microfiber. Whatever is going to make you excited to jump into bed at night is the perfect option for you.
2. Temperature
The general consensus is that a cooler environment promotes better sleep. This is because our bodies’ internal temperature drops by a couple of degrees during sleep, so lowering the temperature will help your body enter and maintain this state.
Now, let’s talk numbers. Different sources will claim to have the ideal temperature range for sleep, spanning anywhere from 60° to 72°. That’s a pretty wide range. The thing is, everyone has a different “normal.” What’s comfortable to one person might be unbearable to another. While there is no universally perfect temperature, it’s still true that cooler is better. Try lowering the temperature just a couple of degrees and see if your sleep improves. You can continue dropping the temperature incrementally until you reach your ideal number.
3. Light
Our sleep cycles are dictated by our circadian rhythm, also known as our “internal clock.” This essential function can be disrupted by a variety of external factors, one of them being light. Our bodies associate sleep with darkness, so any light in our sleep environments can be disruptive. We know it’s difficult, but limiting screen time in the hour or so before you go to bed can be game changing when it comes to falling asleep. You may also find it helpful to switch to softer, lower lights in your space at night to further help with the transition.
The morning is also an important part of this cycle! Opening the blinds and letting some natural light into your space can help you wake up in the morning, tuning your circadian rhythm so you’ll be ready to go to bed that night.
The impact of sleep on your overall health can’t be overstated. Try incorporating some of these tips into your routine and see how your sleep improves. Sweet dreams!
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this blog post is for general education purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.