Having Trouble Sleeping? Here are some Top Tips during National Bed Month

It’s widely recommended that we get eight hours of sleep a night, but with late nights at work, families to care for and all those addictive Netflix series to watch, it’s not surprising that many of us aren’t getting enough.

According to The Sleep Council, almost three quarters (74%) of Brits sleep less than seven hours per night, with 1 in 5 even turning to alcohol to help them nod off*. And of course, the quality is just as important as the quantity of rest we get.

If you think you would benefit from sorting out your sleeping habits, this March is National Bed Month, the perfect time to tackle your bedtime blues.

Leading high street retailer Robert Dyas has some handy tips and advice for those looking to give their beauty sleep a boost.

Get the right bed

As well as a good mattress, the right bed frame can help you get a more comfortable night’s sleep. Sprung-slatted beds like this Viviana Double Bed Frame (£369.99) add an extra bit of bounce, while models with flat slats like the Stockbridge Double Bed Frame (£269.99) provide a firmer base.

Check your bed sheets

Bed linen (£9.99 – £119.99) can help keep you warm or cool so it’s worth taking a look at which type you have and potentially swapping your sheets for some new ones. Cotton sheets will help keep you cooler, whereas synthetic fabrics trap more heat.

Go anti-allergy

Wheezing, sneezing and coughing don’t make for a peaceful night’s sleep, so an anti-allergy duvet (£18.99 – £19.99) and pillow (£9.99), like these from Silentnight, can be a godsend if you’re plagued by allergies.

Exercise

At least make sure it’s good quality, if you can’t quite get eight hours of sleep. Exercise helps you sleep significantly better if you do a minimum of 150 minutes a week** – just make sure you don’t do it right before bed as this will make you feel more alert. Try doing a quick 20 minutes in the morning before work every day, and save valuable sleep time by investing in some home fitness equipment (£54.99 – £899.99) instead of heading out to the gym.

Snore no more

If you’re asleep as soon as you hit the pillow then great, but if you’re keeping your partner up with your snoring, swap your pillow with one of the anti-snore varieties. This one from Silentnight (£9.99) works by supporting and positioning the head and neck with an internal foam core that’s contoured to help improve breathing and body alignment.