WAKE UP HAPPY:
THE BENEFITS OF SLEEP

Life is better when you get a great night’s slumber – but, according to NHS research, one in three of us suffers from poor sleep. Discover the physical and psychological benefits of sleeping well, plus buys and tips to improve your rest

Woman wearing white ribbed towelling dressing gown

How sleep can help your mind

We all have evenings when we struggle to nod off or nights when we wake up and can’t get back to sleep – and, whatever your situation, there’s no denying that the past two years have been mentally tough. While it’s easy to become accustomed to being sleep deprived, it’s not healthy. Plus, there are huge mental-health benefits to getting enough good-quality sleep. It can help you manage stress – crucial for navigating life’s challenges – and lift your mood and energy, which in turn leads to better relationships with your family, friends and colleagues. Sleep can also improve your memory, lift brain fog and boost productivity, helping you breeze through everything from work to Wordle.

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BRILLIANT BEDDING

Medium white mattress with 1,500 spring count on a grey bed

Start with a supportive mattress

From £399

Velvet upholstery is extra sumptuous

From £549

White Body Sensor 10.5-tog duvet and white pillows on a grey bed

Pick a temperature-regulating duvet

From £39.50

Beige linen bedding on a wooden bed with beige headboard

Linen is naturally breathable

From £65

How sleep can help your body

On average, we should be aiming to get between seven and nine hours of sleep a night, although it varies from person to person. The general rule of thumb is that if you feel tired from the moment you wake up, and spend the whole day in need of a nap, you’re not getting enough hours. The physical health benefits of a great night’s sleep range from boosting your immune system to helping you maintain a healthy weight. Sleep can even help ward off more serious illnesses including diabetes and heart disease. To extend your sleep by an extra hour or two a night, the NHS suggests the following: starting on a weekend, go to bed when you feel tired and allow yourself to wake up without an alarm clock.

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COSY NIGHTWEAR

Wrap yourself up in 100% cotton

£45

Grey felt clog mule slippers with faux-fur lining

Keep toes extra toasty in faux fur

£19.50

Classic stripes for chilled mornings

£39.50

Men’s navy and light blue pineapple-print trunks

Downtime calls for a comfy set

£24 for 3

Top tips for getting more sleep

Being active can help you sleep better, so add some exercise to your daily routine. Avoid doing anything too vigorous just before bedtime – think gentle yoga stretches rather than a sweaty HIIT session. Alcohol and caffeine affect sleep, so try to cut down your intake and avoid caffeine after 12pm. Create a sleep-friendly environment with a cool, dark and clutter-free bedroom and build healthy habits into your routine, such as switching off devices at least an hour before bed and taking a warm bath or shower before you hit the sack. A lavender-based pillow spray, soft cotton PJs and a relaxing read are great add-ons to set yourself up for a restful night.

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