You might think you know how to sleep, but if you’re struggling to fall asleep, you might want to look at the basics.
The BBC has a handy guide to getting the most out of your night’s rest, including tips on sleep masks, time-saving sleeping bags and more.
But if you want to start the night off on the right foot, the UK’s best sleep experts have an easy and straightforward way of getting the best sleep possible.
Here are seven ways to get the most from your nights sleep.1.
Use a nightstand with a pillow, a cup and a bottle of waterA nightstand is a perfect place to put your pillows and cupboards and also have a place to drink a glass of water.
There are several reasons why this is a good idea, says David Davenport, an expert in sleep and circadian rhythm and author of the book Sleeping Through It.
It is the perfect solution for those times when you just want to get out and about and have a quick shower or go out for a drink.
“You’re more likely to fall into a deep sleep if you have a comfortable bed and a drink, or if you are on your own, in a room with a good temperature,” he says.
“You will have a bit more energy to go on and on and maybe you’ll find yourself drifting off to sleep.”
But, says Daven, “it’s a little bit like a hotel bed, it’s not really conducive to sleep.
It’s not comfortable, and you’re not getting the rest you need.”
I’ve been a night-time sleeper for 35 years and I’ve never had an issue.
I’ve had to wake up in the middle of the night because I’ve fallen asleep.
“The key is to get as much sleep as you can.”
Use the toilet in your own home”If you’re in your home, it can be a bit tricky to get to sleep,” says Dr Richard Wilson, a sleep specialist and sleep expert at the University of Kent. “
It can even help to keep you awake longer than you normally would, so you can get to bed early.”2.
Use the toilet in your own home”If you’re in your home, it can be a bit tricky to get to sleep,” says Dr Richard Wilson, a sleep specialist and sleep expert at the University of Kent.
“If you have an alarm clock in the room, or you can’t get to the toilet because it’s dark out, then you need to find a different bed.”
If that means having a night in your bed with a sleeping bag, then it’s a bit easier, but it’s still a lot of extra work.”3.
Use an electric fanIt’s also possible to sleep on a bed or a mattress without using a fan, says Dr John Sibley, a consultant sleep specialist at the Institute of Sleep Medicine at the National Health and Medical Research Council, which runs the National Sleep Foundation.”
But if that’s not a choice you’re making, there are ways around it.”4. “
That means the fan won’t be needed, it won’t need a lot more energy, and it’s quieter too.”
But if that’s not a choice you’re making, there are ways around it.”4.
Get a nightcapThere are a lot different types of nightcaps, from nightcaps made of polypropylene and polyester, to polypropane nightcaps and nightcaps in which a fabric is used to seal the fabric and provide warmth.”
But if it is too cold, polypropene nightcaps might be the way to go.””
And they’re not going to make you feel like a bad sleeper.”
But if it is too cold, polypropene nightcaps might be the way to go.
“We’ve had some people ask us whether we have polypropyl or polyester nightcaps,” says Sibleie.
“I think it’s probably best to have both, because polyester will get you more energy throughout the night and give you a bit of insulation.”5.
Put on a night cap before you go to bedIf you want some extra warmth during the night, a nightmask can help.
“There are many things that will give you extra energy,” says Professor Andrew Fagan, director of the Sleep and Circadian Research Centre at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
“But if your mask is made of a plastic, it may have some extra insulation, so the nightcap will give some extra protection.”6.
Make a pillow out of paper or cardboard”A pillow made of paper, a sheet of cardboard or a piece of foam can be an excellent alternative to a pillow,” says Fagan.
“The extra insulation will help prevent you falling asleep.”
It may not give you the same amount of warmth, but there’s the extra support and it’ll help you get some extra sleep.”7.
Make your own pillowcaseUsing a pillowcase as a pillow