Improving Your Sleep In Winter

Trying to sleep in winter can be a real nightmare! Tossing and turning, too cold or too warm, getting up in the dark and feeling groggy for the rest of the day…

There are a host of scientific reasons why we would gladly go nocturnal in winter. The great thing about this reasoning is that there are usually scientific answers, helping us to get through winter feeling energised and well-rested!

Your Internal Body Clock

You might have heard about circadian rhythms or our internal ‘body clock’. Instead of being governed by seconds, minutes and hours, this clock responds to exercise, social activity and, more importantly, sleep in winter and daylight.

Our natural wake-up call is the sun, filling the room with light and telling us that now is the time to be awake and active. In the summer, we get up in the light and go about our business, soaking up vitamin D and enjoying the benefits of the feel-good hormone serotonin. However, as night falls, our body begins to slow and sleep, producing melatonin, the contrasting hormone that encourages sleep. This is what our body clock says should happen. However, this isn’t always the case.

We’re liable to get stuck in a vicious cycle during long nights, as less sunlight means less serotonin, which reduces our energy and makes us feel more tired. Too much sleep in winter means too much melatonin, which makes us want to sleep more and more. It’s possible to break the cycle by giving your natural rhythms a hand by purchasing lamps and lightbulbs that effectively mimic natural light. You can even buy natural light alarm clocks, which gradually fill the room with a warm natural-looking light. This artificial sunrise prompts serotonin production, giving you a boost and helping address the problem of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), while some clocks come with radios and nature sounds to bring you back to the waking world.

A Dryer, Colder Climate

There are two big problems when it comes to winter, both of which interfere with sleep – it’s very cold and dry.

It’s not all about winter wonderlands, as frosty or snowy weather brings with it harsh, dry air, which can dehydrate your skin. One way to maximise sleep in winter is to apply moisturisers, ideally ones laden with ceramides, to protect the skin. Eye masks are also a great way to protect yourself against itchiness, redness and sensitivity, whilst drinking water helps you be hydrated even in the driest climate.

The cold is also an enemy of those trying to sleep. The trouble is, we spend a lot of our time ramping up the temperature to combat the cold, only to open the window in the middle of the night. Fortunately, bedding exists that can regulate your body temperature, helping ease your sleep in winter. Hot water bottles and extra blankets can get you cosy, while state-of-the-art duvets and pillows can stop heat from accumulating. For instance, our Cool Night Eco Fresh Pillows and Duvet reduce and dissipate any heat accumulated during the night, creating a pleasantly cool temperature that can last for up to eight hours! The pillows are particularly helpful, as heat around the head and neck can be a real barrier to a good night’s sleep.

The Hotel Bed Company

Good sleep is our mission at The Hotel Bed Company, which is why we’ve supplied our dreamy beds to homes and hotels across the country. Head to our website to explore our range!

For photos, updates and inspiration, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.