How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Our lovely Editor Stuart said to me one of the subjects we are talking about this week is how to get a good night’s sleep, do you have any thoughts on this? ‘Thoughts?!’ I said a little too loudly – I presented breakfast television for years, so it became my obsession! I made a complete study of the subject because not only did I have to sound awake and be on my metal, I had to glam up and look the part.
The key to it is routine, I knew what time I had to get up, 3.30am, so worked backwards from there. I need a minimum of 7 hours sleep so bed target 9.00 pm which meant ablutions began just turning 8pm and, a little like when we went to school, clothes and everything I need for the day ahead prepared ready to slip into and pick up before dawn. Now this might sound a little military but it’s all part of ‘the routine’ and if your head hits the pillow knowing you are totally organised it aids your relaxation and ability to sleep soundly. So plan your morning well the night before, (write lists if it helps) and this should help your slumber.
I’m also a great believer in the quality of your bed, bedding, and sanctity of your bedroom. Gloria Hunniford told me her grandma said there are 2 investments you make in your life, one: your bed and the other: your shoes, because if you’re not in one you’re in the other. To me your bedroom is the most important room of the house it should be an oasis of calm, think of it as a battery charger that you plug into for 8 hours and it revitalises your body. So, if you want a good night’s sleep prioritise this precious room. Spend a little time looking at it, does it need decluttering and cleaning? Has your bedding seen better days? What about your pillow and duvet, are they doing their job? And when was the last time you washed them or sent them to a laundrette? If you follow my Instagram, you will have seen me making the very best of the hot weather by washing my pillows and duvets then drying them in the sunshine, in fact as I write I have one out there! Its feathers are all clumped together, and it looks like a disaster but in a few hours with a bit of shaking it’ll be like new and all fluffy. Very few cannot be washed most synthetic or down have instructions on saying either 40 or 60 degrees.
Oh, and make no mistake, they call it ‘beauty’ sleep for a reason – good or bad sleep shows on your face, so never has there been a better motivation!