After the whirlwind of Christmas has passed, January can feel slow and quiet. This can be a bit of relief after all that running around shopping! But, this change of pace can also leave us feeling burnt-out, tired and even a bit deflated. One of the things that can help with these feelings is a good nights’ rest. With this in mind, we thought we’d share our top tips for sleeping well in January.
Many people talk about a ‘quiet’ mind being a happy mind. This is, in essence, what many of us strive to achieve when trying to get to sleep. However, the nature of striving to quiet your mind implies a sense of discipline and action, which can be distracting and time consuming in itself. A kinder way of looking at this would be to achieve a calm mind.
This approach focusses more on treating yourself kindly and aiming for a state of mind that you find calming and relaxing. One of our tips for sleeping well in January is to take the pressure off. Rather than trying to ‘quiet your mind’ and instead, do what makes you feel relaxed. If that’s watching a bit of television or even reading on your phone – whatever works for you. The key is to keep the feeling of tranquility. Though that might be time on your phone or watching TV; dramas, horror films or social media should probably be avoided before you get some shut-eye!
Your bedroom should be a place of calm. Going to bed stressed is a recipe for a bad nights’ sleep, so having a calm environment to spend a quiet moment in before sleep is ideal. Try and think of your bedroom as a sleep haven. Put things in there that make you feel calm and relaxed. Another tip is to get the temperature how you like it – whether that’s cuddling up with a hot water bottle or opening the windows before bed.
Many of us have busy lives, and all rooms in the house can easily become cluttered as a result. Even if there’s a pile of washing to do and not everything’s been put away, try to just keep your bedside table neat for a calming space next to the bed. You could even add something to the bedside table that helps you feel comforted and relaxed. Maybe it’s a scented candle, soft lamp or even something sentimental.
If you’re about to redecorate, consider the colour scheme for your room and choose one that feels restful to you. Here (as you might be able to tell from our photos!) some of our favourites are green and neutral hues. These colours help create a sense of calm and tranquility, without being overly loud. However, if bright red walls and purple carpets make you feel cosy, then go with what feels right!
Over Christmas, it’s likely that your normal routine has been thrown out the window. Returning to this can feel mundane and less fun that the previous festive period. Whilst this can be viewed as the case, our bodies are also creatures of habit. Some people crave routine whereas others are more spontaneous, but when it comes to sleep, a nightly routine can really help set you up to get the best rest. It doesn’t have to be anything overly extravagant (unless you want it to be!) but it can help set the tone for your body to start winding down.
Some easy examples are putting your phone down at a certain time or not having caffeine past late afternoon. This sounds like its too early to be a nightly routine, but it can make all the difference! For something closer to bedtime, consider employing a nightly treatment routine such as skincare or a warm shower before bed. Keeping up any routine at the same time every night will help your body realise that it’s soon time to sleep, and help you drift off.
Our tips for sleeping well in general are all about treating yourself kindly and giving yourself space – especially in January! Sleep is an important factor in day to day living. If you ever feel like lack of sleep is affecting your daily life, make sure you get in touch with your local healthcare professional.
For more inspiration on creating a peaceful environment for your bedroom, see our Pinterest board; Relaxing Bedrooms.