Sending out a summer sleep S.O.S?
Oh, hey there summer! Warm weather and more daylight are often what most of us have been dreaming of all winter long, but it can have its downside. Don’t get us wrong, we love the warm summer weather as much as the next person, but it can mean it gets really hard to sleep well, are we right?!
WHY IS IT HARDER TO DROP OFF IN SUMMER?!
It’s true, some of us really (don’t) like it hot. Rising temperatures, pollen counts, and lighter mornings and evenings can hinder getting enough shut eye. In fact, did you know our bodies are actually programmed to sleep better when it’s cooler?! It’s part of your circadian rhythm (more on that here) and when you sleep your internal temperature drops which signals your brain to start shutting down for the night. It’s this internal temperature drop that is more difficult when the surrounding atmospheric temperature is a bit (or a-lot!) higher, and it’s even harder if there’s humidity in the mix too!
Sleep in the summer is a double-edged sword as it’s not just the higher temperatures that end up making you restless. It’s also the sunlight! Depending on where you live in the world, you’ll be getting not just a few minutes but a few more hours of sunlight each day. Here in the UK that is particularly apparent when it’s as bright at 6AM as it is at midday! The increased daylight makes it harder to fall asleep (and stay there) when it’s bright outside earlier in the morning and later in the evening. We’d never suggest shunning the sunlight or warmer weather, but you may need to make some tweaks to your existing sleep routine in order to continue to sleep soundly…
As always, the Sleep Lab brings you content you NEED to know about. We’re here to help you make the most of the season by sharing with you our top 5 sleep secrets you can follow all summer long to help you sleep soundly. Bonus: you’ll have more energy to tackle that summer bucket list!
TIP 1 | GET BLACKED OUT
If you’ve heard it once you’ve heard it a thousand times – invest in black out blinds! No more light peeking through in the early hours of the morning interrupting your sleep and it also has the unexpected bonus of keeping your room cooler both day and night! The problem with black out blinds is they’re expensive to install (if you haven’t got them already) and you can’t take them with if you’re out and about. Our luxurious solution? The Silk Sleep Mask is like clapping a big, squishy cloud over your eyes made of 22 momme, pure mulberry silk. It’s fully adjustable, hypoallergenic, breathable, and most importantly easily transportable for uninterrupted beauty sleep each and every night!
TIP 2 | CHILL (YOUR ROOM) OUT
The optimal temperature for sleep is between 17-20 degrees and as we know temperatures can rise to significantly above that in the summer months. Unlike most other countries the average UK house isn’t equipped with aircon but there are ways you can try to manage the heat. Investing in a rotating fan to circulate (and cool) the air in your bedroom is a great option as well as having an as-cold-as-you-dare shower right before your go to bed to help lower your internal temperature. Not a fan of cold showers? Keeping a glass of ice water by your bed and sipping on it can achieve the same result.
TIP 3 | LAYER UP THE RELAXATION
Sometimes the only thing for it is to amp up the volume on your existing sleep routine. Essential oil diffusers are a relatively inexpensive way to ensure you receive the relaxing sleep vibes all night long. Adding approximately 8 drops of the Sleep S.O.S Essential Oil Blend to the diffuser is a non-synthetic way to benefit from the calming effects of Cedarwood, Bergamot, Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Vetiver. The beautifully blended scent can act as an anchor for your mind to focus on in the moments before sleep, easing it from mental distractions (like stressing about whether or not you’re drifting off) and taking deep, meditative breathes will help to trigger your bodies relaxation response. Most diffusers have a timer which can either be set or turn off automatically without enough water so you can sleep soundly in the knowledge that everything is under control. For the ultimate indulgence, pair with the Sleep S.O.S Pillow Spray to really turbo-charge that bedtime ritual.
Sweet (summer) dreaming…
