The Goodnight Co’s five tips for a good night’s sleep

Over to Ashley from The Goodnight Co.:

We spend almost a third of our life asleep, and we need to. Having a good night’s sleep is imperative to functioning day-to-day and plays a huge role in your overall health and wellbeing.

Research has found sleeping well can help to boost immunity, increase productivity, reduce anxiety, facilitate weight-loss, improve your skin and hair, and more.

So, why wouldn’t it be a priority…

At The Goodnight Co., sleep is our priority and we want to share with you our top 5 tips for a good night’s sleep.

Tip one: Create a sleep ritual

If you only do one thing from this list, please make it setting up a sleep ritual!

Creating a ritual (or routine) helps to train your body and mind to relax when it comes to bedtime, which makes falling asleep, and staying asleep, easier.

One of the most effective ways to create routine is by breaking things down into small steps. Things like meditation, warm baths, essential oils, and tea are a great place to start when tackling poor sleeping habits.

By implementing consistent healthy sleep habits into your routine, your body and mind will sync – learning these signals mean it’s time to wind down and rest.

Tip two: Follow a sleep schedule

This tip is a flashback to a simpler, and more Wiggles-filled time in your life: it’s bedtimes, baby!

We hate to break it to you, but it’s important to go to bed and wake up at the same time every single night to allow your body to establish a healthy routine – sorry weekend sleep-ins.

By following a sleep schedule, research shows your health condition is improved and it drastically reduces the risks of those nasty sleep disorders.

If you’re a shift worker, this can be tricky – so do your best to keep it in line by still implementing your sleep ritual.

Tip three: You are what you eat

There are a few sleep superfoods which work to improve your sleep at night, namely nuts, leafy greens, fresh or frozen fruit, seafood and wholegrains.

These five foods contain all the goodness your body needs to help you get a good night’s rest, so you’re ready to conquer the day.

There are also a few foods to steer clear of – like spicy foods, sugary foods, high-fat foods, caffeine and alcohol.

These foods can hinder your ability to sleep as it takes the body a long time to fully digest them.

If you’re struggling to get a good night’s rest, consider reviewing your diet throughout the day to make sure your body is ready for sleep.

Tip four: Consider your bedroom

For many, the bedroom can serve as a multifunctional room. It can be an office, a library, a theatre, or even a laundry room (#guilty).

In the end, the bedroom’s purpose really should be a sanctuary for sleep. It should be the most luxurious and personal space in any home – a soothing oasis that is conducive to relaxation and comfort.

To create a comfortable and relaxing environment, consider these tried and true tips: keep it clean and simple, experiment with all natural fibre bedding options, set a cool temperature, choose calming colours, find the perfect scent and make your bed!

Having a space you feel comfort and clarity will ultimately aid your magical sleep ritual. Don’t forget, a tidy house is a tidy mind!

Tip five: Keep hydrated

Sleep and hydration are heavily connected as water allows our bodies to stay healthy and nourished.

When your body lacks in fluids, you start to feel irritable and sluggish.

According to the Sleep Foundation, going to bed dehydrated can cause you to have a very disruptive sleep as both your mouth and nasal passages feel dry and disrupted, leaving you with a parched throat and hoarseness in the morning.

This means it is essential to focus on drinking at least 3 litres of water throughout your day.