Have you ever pulled an all-nighter, and then wondered why you spent the next day with a dull, foggy mind, and a total lack of willpower to get anything done?
While you sleep, your brain gears up to commit new facts to memory, clear out neurotoxins, and conserve energy for the new day ahead (www.sciencemag.org). So when you’ve skipped out on sleep, your whole body moves through the day like an overworked computer that’s waiting for a reboot.
The good news is, you can significantly improve your sleep by adjusting your daily habits and incorporating wool into your home environment.
If you’re anything like the team at WoolHQ, you care about your overall well-being, and you're willing to invest in it. Perhaps you pay for a gym membership, supplements, massages, hot yoga classes, infrared saunas, therapy, a life coach, housekeeping, a whole foods diet, or all of the above! But what can you do to improve your sleep?
According to the World Sleep society, up to 45% of the world’s population has trouble sleeping. Despite this epidemic, there are plenty of small steps you can take to get a better night’s rest.
Regular bedtimes, getting up at the same time each day, exposure to natural light, limiting afternoon caffeine intake, and winding down after dark are just some of the ways you can prime your body for better rest. However, all these take discipline. You have to decide to go for that walk, you have to push through the 3 pm slump without another coffee, and you have to postpone watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones (even though Tracey in accounts is threatening a spoiler). There must be a better way.
As the famous adage goes; change your environment, change your life
If you’re trying to eat healthier, clearing junk food out of the cupboards requires less daily effort and discipline than telling yourself, "I shall not eat cookies, I must not eat ice cream, and I certainly won't eat cake." The same principle applies to where you sleep.
Create an environment that lulls you to sleep like the cradle rocks a baby
The Goldilocks effect For uninterrupted sleep, you need to be just the right temperature – not too hot and not too cold. Start by keeping your room reasonably cool, so you’re not at risk of overheating. Next, swap any synthetic bedding for a natural material like wool or cotton. This will help regulate your body temperature so you can stay nice and comfortable the whole night through.
Enforce total blackout Consider investing in blackout curtains and ban smartphones from the bedroom. Too much blue light at night interrupts your natural sleep patterns and can suppress your body's production of melatonin (the hormone that kicks in when it’s time for bed). Therefore, limiting light exposure before bed can help your brain switch off and get ready for rest.
Establish an invigorating morning routine When you wake up, resist the urge to reach for your phone. Alternatively, start the day with just a few minutes of stretching, meditation, or light exercise. For an added touch of luxury, invest in a warm woollen rug. Instead of stepping out onto a cold hardwood floor or clammy synthetic carpet, treat your feet to a soft, inviting surface that will ward off the cold until you make it to the sock drawer.
When it comes to a good night's sleep, nothing beats comfort.
