We live in very quizzical times, don’t we? In an effort to make sense of the constant barrage of social horrors we’re currently subjected to, nothing is more important than a good night’s sleep.
King’s College research released recently shows that over half the UK population has struggled with sleep during the lockdown. Michael Burich, Co-Founder of Synctuition, mindfulness and relaxation platform highlighted that the quality of sleep one has is intrinsically related to how relaxed that person is prior to sleep.
So, while most of us experience the odd sleepless night, during a pandemic it is even more important to employ a good self-care routine to help switch off before bed. Here are some little luxuries to help with just that.
Image: Simba
Sleep Better Tip #1: Simba Orbit Weighted Blanket
The virtues of gravity blankets have been sung like a lullaby from every social media site for the last few years. The Orbit Simba weighted blanket is a brand leader. A luxurious silky storm grey throw with a high thread count removable cover (which is a terrific bonus to keep it feeling fresh). The real treat is the comforting, gentle swaddling ‘hug’ of the duvet-esque throw. According to leading sleep psychologist and mindfulness expert, Hope Bastine, it works by harnessing the science of Deep Pressure Therapy. A sensation we experience when we are hugged, squeezed, stroked, or simply held. Weighted blankets can mimic the pressure contact we crave as it relaxes the nervous system. In an era of social distancing, we’ll take all the hugs we can get!
simbasleep.com
£149
Image: Silentnight
Sleep Better Tip #2: Silentnight Superwash Duvet
This could just be the new bedroom hero. The Superwash range is designed to withstand repeated machine washing at 40° to ensure it stays fresh and hygienic, whilst retaining all of its original bounce and softness, wash after wash. This bacteria busting bedding features quality fibres that have been designed to withstand temperatures needed to kill dust mites, bacteria and virus molecules.
silentnight-bedding.co.uk
£46.99 (10.5 tog double duvet)
Image: BetterYou
Sleep Better Tip #3: Magnesium oils and lotions
Speaking of magnesium, this mineral is a well-kept secret in efforts to help the body handle sleep cycles, especially in times of high stress like a global pandemic. Better You have a range of lavender scented Magnesium oils and lotions to rub directly into your sleepy, tender skin. Immediately absorbed and highly effective, the sleep range is fragranced with soothing lavender and chamomile essential oils. This rich lotion even comes in child friendly junior version for helping your restless little ones drift off at night. At first an odd, prickly sensation occurs if your body is low on the essential mineral, but you quickly get used to the warming tickle and really feel the benefits in the mornings, especially after a hard work out.
betteryou.com
£9.95
Image: Olverum
Sleep Better Tip #4: Olverum bath oil
Olverum is the last word in self-care luxury. You may not have heard of this classic, almost magical oil. The bottle is small but Sweet Georgia Brown, does it pack a punch! From the moment you open the smooth black patent lid, the rich, clean smell of calm fills the whole bathroom. Just 5mls swished into your warm bathwater elicits myriad delights to all the senses. I’d go so far as to say it’s worth having a little insomnia just to experience the sensation. The range includes the heavenly bath oil and unctuous body oils. A little goes a long way and few products deliver so well on their promises. You’ll go to bed on a cloud of calm and wake up longing for your next soak.
olverum.com
£35 (125ml)
CBD
Image: Body and Mind Botanicals
Sleep Better Tip #5: Cannabis Tea and chocolate
Cannabis teas are one of the most relaxing and effective pre-bedtime treatments. Family run, sustainable business, Body and Mind Botanicals have an efficacious full spectrum range including a Cannabis & Peppermint tea bag and loose-leaf Cannabis teas that unusually use the entire cannabis plant plus delicious dark chocolate, CBD infused buttons. Available individually or as part of a subscription, each teabag can be brewed three time making it a hydrating and economical way to relax and the dark chocolate drops work almost immediately. They have a delicious, bittersweet taste that feels like a naughty treat. Just half a button melted gently under the tongue releases a soporific effect that is heaven sent to help unwind before climbing under your Egyptian cottons.
bodyandmindbotanicals.com
From £7.99
Image: Cannaray
Sleep Better Tip #6: CBD oral drops
CBD (cannabidiol) is experiencing a renaissance right now. All the anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety pain reducing benefits of the cannabis plant to help you relax before bedtime and none of the negative psychoactive effects of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol- the perceived naughty element of the plant). The sheer range of CBD products is dizzying and making the correct choice can induce a restless night in itself. Cannaray are a highly transparent, eco-friendly company who work with a whole team of experts and doctors to create a chemical free CBD product. Vegan oral drops with a fresh Juniper lime flavour and easy to swallow, vegan capsules with patented absorption technology as well as massage balms to sooth your body as well as your mind.
They’ve also kindly offered our readers a generous 25% off products from the range. Just add ‘Luxuriate25’ at checkout.
cannaray.co.uk
£30 (300mg)
Image: INTUNE
Sleep Better Tip #7: INTUNE CBD drinks
Using the best quality ingredients, the INTUNE team is committed to bringing the benefits of CBD to more busy people by shaking up when and how we enjoy functional soft drinks. Each 250ml can contains 10mg active CBD and less than 50 calories. It also tastes rather lovely. Elderflower & Hops was floral, smooth with the apple coming through well and a touch of rose blossom.
intunedrinks.com
£29.99 (12x 250 ml cans)
Image: Good Night Snoring
Sleep Better Tip #8: One for the snorers
A more frustrating issue in our efforts to nod off is a partner who snores so loudly it could drown out Turandot. An elegant solution is the Good Night Snore rings. This drug free remedy works on ancient acupressure stimulators. Each dainty little silver piece of jewellery is slipped onto particular pressure points on the pinkie fingers. Undetectable and unobtrusive, it’s surprising how much these little accoutrements reduce the volume of the echoes from your partner’s side of the pillow. While snoring can be caused by underlying issues, including sleep apnoea, for run of the mill rumbles, the Good Night Snore Ring has been effective in 80% of cases. And who doesn’t love a little jewellery, hmm?
goodnightsnoring.com
£29.99
Image: Flare Audio
Sleep Better Tip #9: Ear plugs
Most of us fluctuate between needing some quiet Classic FM or gentle white noise to calm the inner soundtrack insomnia inspires. For those who prefer the later, these excellent little Flare Audio Sleeeps ear buds will do the trick. Small, reusable and importantly, very comfortable, the memory foam ball creates a good seal to block out ambient noise from city traffic or snoring partners and the little silicone stalk can be tucked in too. Flare have also created a beautiful storage case made of a solid billet of aluminium that wouldn’t look out of place in a 5 star hotel. Another bonus is they come in a glow in the dark version, so no more flailing around your bedside table once the lights are out!
www.flareaudio.com
From £9.99
Image: Yardley
Sleep Better Tip #10: Lavender
Yardley, a brand that sings of old school luxury, have a beautiful classic lavender fragrance range. The virtues of lavender to induce sleep are not new but this particular scent is subtle, sweet and importantly long lasting. Amongst the lavender range is an exquisitely scented shower wash & classic luxury soaps which, when followed with their indulgent, creamy body lotion, after stepping out of a steamy shower, help layer the scent. You’ll smell like a fairy-tale long into your next morning zoom meeting. So delicious, it will make you want to explore the entire Yardley scent range for all your different Coronacoaster moods.
yardleylondon.co.uk
Prices vary
Image: Sun Chlorella
SUPPLEMENTS
Sun Chlorella® green food supplement
Every good night starts with a good day. Of course, the most pleasant spring/early summer we’ve had in an age occurs during a global lockdown!! In an effort to maintain some inner equilibrium, we need to replace the Vit D we’re missing from spending extended periods inside. The original superfood, Chlorella is quite literally ‘sunshine powder’. Sun Chlorella’s easy to take tiny tablets are a great way to get the detoxing organism into your system. A deep green, these are full of chlorophyll, the pigment plants use to make energy from sunlight. Recent research shows this algae may also be effective in supporting the Hypothalamus, a part of the brain that has an effect on how we react to stress. 5+ of these little tablets a day can help you begin as you mean to go on in your long day’s journey into a good night’s sleep.
sunchlorella.co.uk
£21.95 (300 tablets)
Image: Link Nutrition
Nutrition Supplements
Link Nutrition supplements, recommended by international Nutritionist Libby Limon, have a comprehensive range of natural remedies. They are Food based™ which are significantly better absorbed into the body, in turn meaning you need to take less of them. Very effective in helping to reduce stress and relieve anxiety while promoting better sleep, this range includes the balancing ‘Ashwagandha’, the fatigue fighting ‘Relax’, the Melatonin and Lemon Balm rich ‘Night’ for deeper, less interrupted sleep without sedatives, and a calming ‘Magnesium’ supplement, all proven to help digestion, lower cortisol, support adrenals, balance stress levels and encourage better sleep.
linknutrition.com
Prices vary
Image: hello pure
5- HTP supplement
5-HTP has recently attracted attention from a generation dangerously low on happy hormones. Naturally occurring in the body where it is converted to serotonin, it’s important for elevating mood and supporting deep, rejuvenating sleep. As with most health supplements, there are many brands in the market boasting superior quality and potent strengths. However, Hello Pure’s 5-HTP packs a more potent punch than most and as a bonus is enhanced with Vitamin B6 for the immune system and 100% Vegan. Taken an hour or so before bed, these little gems help happy hormones make their way round your system to induce a more toss and turn free snooze. Beware the crazy dreams though!
hellopure.co.uk
£14.99 (180 capsules)
Sleep well x
Featured image by Alexandra Gorn/Unsplash.