Getting a good night's sleep before a busy work season can be tricky. Work stress and excitement can make it hard to relax and sleep well. But did you know that how you sleep is just as important as how long you sleep? Let's explore the importance of good sleep, especially before a big work period.

What Is Good Sleep?

Good sleep is essential for feeling your best. During sleep, your body repairs itself, and your mind processes information. Here're a few facts to know:

Sleep is not just one thing; it happens in stages. Deep, restorative sleep comes later in these stages. So, completing a full sleep cycle is crucial for feeling refreshed. These stages are categorised into two main types: Non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep and REM sleep. Each of these stages plays a unique role in promoting physical and mental wellbeing. Here's a breakdown of the stages:

Non-REM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep:

1. Stage 1 - Light Sleep: This is the transition stage between wakefulness and sleep. In Stage 1, you may experience drifting thoughts or brief muscle twitches. It's relatively easy to wake up during this stage.

2. Stage 2 - True Sleep: Stage 2 is a deeper level of sleep where your body temperature drops, heart rate slows, and your brain begins to produce sleep spindles—brief bursts of rapid brain waves. It's more challenging to wake up during Stage 2 than in Stage 1.

3. Stage 3 and 4 - Deep Sleep (Slow-Wave Sleep): These stages are collectively known as deep sleep or slow-wave sleep. This is where the magic happens for physical restoration. Blood pressure drops, muscles relax, and tissue repair occurs. It's the most challenging stage to wake up from, and if you are awakened during deep sleep, you may feel groggy.

REM Sleep Stage:

REM sleep is the stage most associated with vivid dreaming. During REM, your brain is highly active, and your eyes move rapidly beneath closed eyelids. This stage is critical for mental restoration, memory consolidation, and emotional processing. While your body is largely paralysed during REM to prevent acting out dreams, your brain is anything but at rest.

How Much Sleep?

Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep for adults. This gives your body time to go through multiple sleep cycles and rejuvenate you. 

Here's why this range is considered optimal for most people:

• Restorative Sleep: Sleep isn't just a passive state; it's an active process that allows your body and mind to recover and regenerate. Within the 7-9 hour range, you have the opportunity to go through multiple sleep cycles, including deep slow-wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep, which are essential for physical and mental restoration.

• Physical Health: Adequate sleep supports various aspects of physical health. During deep sleep, your body repairs and rebuilds tissues, and your immune system strengthens. This contributes to overall wellbeing and helps your body fend off illnesses.

• Mental Sharpness: A full night's sleep is crucial for cognitive function. REM sleep, which dominates the latter part of the sleep cycle, plays a pivotal role in memory consolidation and learning. It's during REM sleep that your brain processes information and stores it for future use.

• Emotional Balance: Sleep is intimately connected to your emotional state. A lack of sleep can lead to irritability, mood swings, and increased stress. Conversely, a proper night's sleep can help regulate your emotions and improve your ability to manage daily challenges.

• Energy and Alertness: When you've had enough sleep, you wake up feeling refreshed and energised. This not only boosts your productivity but also enhances your ability to stay alert and focused throughout the day.

• Longevity: Emerging research suggests that consistently getting 7-9 hours of sleep may contribute to a longer lifespan. Sleep plays a role in maintaining healthy cardiovascular function, immune response, and metabolic processes, all of which can impact how long you live.

• Individual Variability: It's important to note that individual sleep needs can vary. Some people may feel well-rested with 7 hours of sleep, while others may require the full 9 hours. It's essential to listen to your body and adjust your sleep duration based on how you feel during the day.

Quality Matters

It's not just about how long you sleep; it's also about how well you sleep. Interruptions, irregular sleep patterns, or sleep problems can affect how well you rest. 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to improve the quality of your sleep:

• Sleep Hygiene: Practice good sleep hygiene, including maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding stimulating activities close to bedtime.

• Stress Management: Manage stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation.

• Regular Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, but avoid intense workouts close to bedtime.

• Limit Screen Time: Reduce screen time before sleep to minimise exposure to the blue light emitted by screens, which can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.

• Seek Professional Help: If you suspect a sleep disorder is affecting your sleep quality, consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment options.

• Aromatherapy: Consider placing our Reed Diffusers infused with essential oils next to your bed, or spray a few spritzes of our Room and Linen Spray on your pillow. Let the natural fragrances work their sleep magic.

Lavender is a fragrant herb known for its calming properties. People have used it for centuries to relax and sleep better. Science shows that Lavender can:

• Reduce Anxiety: Lavender can help reduce feelings of anxiety, helping you feel more relaxed before bedtime.

• Improve Sleep Quality: It can also make your sleep better by increasing the time you spend in deep sleep. This means you wake up feeling more refreshed.

• Calming Effect: Lavender has a calming effect on your nervous system, helping you unwind and prepare for sleep.

Here are simple ways to use Lavender aromatherapy for better sleep:

• Lavender Aromatherapy Candles:

Lighting our Lavender Aromatherapy Candle in the evening can create a calming atmosphere in your bedroom. The gentle light and Lavender scent set the stage for a peaceful night's sleep.

• Lavender Room Spray:

Spraying a Lavender room spray in your bedroom before bedtime can help create a relaxing environment that's perfect for sleep.

• Lavender Reed Diffuser:

A Lavender reed diffuser is a stylish way to enjoy Lavender's calming aroma throughout the night. Place it on your bedside table for a soothing night's sleep.

Making Your Sleep Space Better

Besides Lavender aromatherapy, here are more ways to improve your sleep environment:

• Comfy Bedding:

Invest in comfortable pillows and high-quality bedding that supports your sleeping position.

• Keep It Dark:

Use blackout curtains to block out light and help your body produce melatonin, a sleep-regulating hormone.

• Right Temperature:

A cooler room, around 60-67°F (15-20°C), is ideal for sleep.

• Reduce Noise:

Use white noise machines or earplugs to drown out disturbances.

• No Screens Before Bed:

Avoid screens (phones, tablets, computers) at least an hour before bedtime to improve sleep.

• Relaxing Routine:

Create a calming bedtime routine with activities like reading, a warm bath, or relaxation exercises.

• Consistent Sleep Schedule:

Try to go to bed and wake up at the same times every day, even on weekends.

For more wellbeing topics, check out these other posts:

4 WAYS TO USE CANDLES DURING THE HOLIDAYS

THE HIDDEN DANGERS OF SYNTHETIC FRAGRANCES AND WHY WE DON'T USE THEM

BOOST YOUR MOOD: SCIENCE AND STRATEGIES FOR UPLIFTING YOUR SPIRITS

BOOST YOUR ENERGY: SAY GOODBYE TO DAILY FATIGUE

THE ESSENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF BATHING: NURTURING YOUR SKIN, BODY, AND MIND

SLEEP BETTER TONIGHT: 7 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP ROUTINE