Helpful hacks to better sleep

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All these New Year’s Resolutions are great, and while giving up booze, changing your diet and taking more exercise are a positive step, they can all have an impact on your
sleep habits.

As we change the various elements of our lives, our sleep can improve in the long run, but adapting to a new way of doing things takes time. We have had a look at how you can get a good night’s sleep and bring a holistic change to your life in 2020.

Watch what you eat
You might be trying out a new diet or trying out veganism, but if you don’t eat enough during the day, or are fuelling up on the wrong things late in the evening, this could impact how you sleep. Don’t have caffeinated drinks before bed (remember hot chocolate might not be a sleep choice after all), steer clear of big meals later in the day and try not to have sugary snacks before bed as this can play havoc with your body, and teeth. If you are hungry, a banana or handful of nuts with a mug of warm water and lemon can help give you the balance you need.

Get into a routine
It is really important for you to stick to a bedtime routine, not because you are a child but because this will help both your brain and internal body clock find a new schedule every night. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and while a lie-in at the weekend is nice, just don’t over do it as that evening could spell sleeping troubles.

Relax before bed
While you might want to fit in a run at 9pm, it’s relaxing in the evening that will prepare you for bed and sleep. Taking a warm bath, learning simple relaxation techniques, doing some gentle yoga stretches and meditating are all calm, easy ways to help you unwind and get ready to rest.

Detox your bedroom
If you want to get to sleep, and stay asleep, your bedroom needs to be a quiet, clean, clear space that you want to spend time in. Chairs laden with clothes, shoes on the floor, dirty cups and glasses on the bedside table and endless open beauty products are not conducive to rest. This weekend, why not have a really good clear out, hoover and dust, set the radiator to the right heat, ensure the curtains are dark enough and see if this makes a difference for you. This is also the time to check out your mattress and make sure it is working, because if it is old and lumpy that is how you will feel when you wake.

Go screen free
Whether it’s a TV, laptop, tablet or e-reader, the glare of a screen in the bedroom isn’t going to do you any sleep favours. Keep screens out of the bedroom, get an alarm clock, read real books and you might be surprised how going screen free can help you sleep better.

Keep a sleep diary
If you find that you are doing everything right, but still can’t sleep, try keeping a diary so you can see what is happening. Note down what times you go to bed, what you did before you jumped under the covers, what you ate that day, when you dozed off (if you can remember) and what time you woke up in the morning. This might help you discover what is keeping you awake.

If you’re really struggling, maybe speak to your GP and see if there is an underlying issue they can help you with.

Team Pure Beauty

Easy ways to create a family friendly kitchen

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If you have a family, it is highly likely that you spend a lot of time in your kitchen, and that it is very much a focal part of your home. The kitchen is where we laugh, cry and talk, it’s where we eat dinner together, where we teach kids table manners and how to cook, and where we gather at the end of the day to catch up and tell stories. It is place that’s all about love and memories.

Given just how important this room is to so many people, we have put together some ideas about how you can create a kitchen, and a home hub, you love.

Safety is key
It really goes without saying, but safety has to be a kitchen priority. Boiling water, sharp knives, hot food and rubbish are all possible danger points, so care needs to be taken. A baby gate, locks on cupboards and drawers, slip proof rugs and mats as well as putting medicines and cleaning products out of reach of children and pets, are all starting points. You want to enjoy your kitchen, but you can do this more easily if things are safe.

What space do you want to have?
We all want something different from a kitchen, and this changes over time, so think about what you need right now, not in five years. Maybe you need somewhere for a playpen for your toddler while you cook, you might want a table or island bar where the kids can do their homework, or if you have pets, thinking about where to keep their food and water bowls could be a consideration. Think about what would make your kitchen work, and then make the steps towards creating the space you want.

Clear the worktops
Of course, one thing you need is a clear area where you can prepare food that isn’t too crowded and where you have space to keep your appliances too. Even if you have a small kitchen, create an area that is free of clutter, that is easy to clean and that way you know you’ll have the room to make dinner and get sandwiches ready for the next day.

Think about the temperature
You might want your kitchen to be a cosy space, and in the evening when the cooker is on and people are moving around this is fine, but by day it could be a colder matter. To make sure you still get that toasty feeling on Sunday mornings when the children are having their cereal, or when you have your mid-morning coffee, you need to look at the space and how hot or cold it gets. Insulating your home is the best way of keeping the heat in, so check for gaps under doors and window frames, you will be amazed at what a draft excluder can do. Tiled and wooden floors might look great, but come November your toes won’t be happy, so look at underfloor heating, carpets or rugs and that way you can sip your hot chocolate before the school run without getting chilblains.

Make it your own
Yes, clean, clear surfaces and spotless walls are the images we see in magazines, but this doesn’t always create the kitchen you want. Art on the walls can add an extra feeling of love and family, pictures with magnets on the fridge are cute and of course, those precious paintings your little ones bring home from nursery will look lovely in your kitchen!

All about the smell
Kitchens are full of smells and let’s face it, some are better than others! Make sure you keep on top of your rubbish and recycling, if you fry food then keep the windows open and think about having a diffuser to help neutralise nasty odours, and these easy steps can help make your kitchen a pleasant place to hang out!

If you follow these tips, your kitchen should be the best room in your home.

Team Pure Beauty

De-stress Your Festive Planning

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There hasn’t been much festive chat on the blog yet, but there is no denying the fact that Christmas is creeping up upon us.

The shops are jam-packed with the goodies, lights are being turned on and advent calendars will be cracked open on 1 December.

Whilst Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, for many it also brings stress and worry.

Yes, it is lovely to sit on the sofa watching festive films and drinking hot chocolate, but with so many other things to do first, that moment can feel like it is a world away.

We a great believe that surviving the holidays without tearing your hair out, is due to three key elements:

Planning. This has to be the greatest stress-buster of all.

Delegating so you don’t have to do it all yourself.

Being realistic and lowering your expectations. Christmas is a time to relax with family and friends, not for proving you are best interior designer and cook.

So, first things first for a less chaotic holiday, take turns. We know that deciding where to spend the big day and with whom, can be a delicate matter but taking it in turns can help. If you hosted last year, let your sister take over this year. If the in-laws camped out with you at New Year, maybe they can return the favour when seeing in 2017. If you really don’t want the politics, get away from it all and have a break somewhere sunny.

Decide on a budget, and stick to it. Make a list of everyone you have to buy for, from mum and dad to school teachers and the postman, and work out what to get each one. It can be tempting to blow the budget, but be sensible and remember, it really is the thought that counts.

When it comes to groceries, shop online. It is so much easier to click your way through the aisles and by doing so you avoid brussel sprout wars and massive midnight queues. Things do still get busy in cyber space, so book your desired slot now and then unpack your turkey, mince pies and crackers in your PJs with a glass of wine, free of stress and other shoppers.

Another top tip when it comes to food is to cheat. Pre-made gravy, a ready to go Christmas pudding and frozen roast potatoes are just as good as the ‘real thing’ and lets be honest, with a glass of two of wine and the buzz around the room, no one will even notice.

Set yourself a target. If you want to actually enjoy Christmas Eve, plan to have all cards written and presents wrapped by 20th December. The worst thing is running out of tape and paper at the 12th hour and tears spoiling the festivities.

Keep a diary of where you are going and when and don’t be tempted to double book, or noses will be put out of joint.

Stay away from social media. There is nothing like scrolling through Facebook and Instagram to make you feel you aren’t good enough and this doesn’t change at Christmas. The main thing is you and yours have a great time. This doesn’t mean having the biggest tree, most presents or perfect make-up as you sit and open your presents, and putting it online, but rather enjoying the moment and making memories.

Don’t neglect yourself. Navigating the holidays can be a challenge so you need to be fighting fit and at your best. Try not to skip meals, get plenty of sleep, don’t over do the mulled wine and drink lots of water. These might be simple steps but they will help keep you smiling when those trying relatives are, well, trying.

Most of all remember to have fun and appreciate those you love.

Team Pure-Beauty

Autumn leaves the UK way

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Whilst some love the budding spring blossom and others bask in the summer sun, at Pure Beauty, our favourite season is autumn.

This is the perfect time of year to enjoy walks in local parks and woodlands whilst admiring the stunning display of colours emerging across the trees and hedgerows.

Glowing reds, oranges and yellows means you can spend your weekends in a tunnel of colour whilst wrapped in thick jumpers, collecting conkers before drinking warming hot chocolate by the fire.

We have found some of the best autumnal spots that we hope will make you embrace the winter rather than wish it wasn’t coming.

Just 20 minutes from central London you’ll discover a little bit of paradise at Kew Gardens. Home to some of the worlds rarest and most beautiful plants, these botanical gardens are even more spectacular as the seasons change. With over 300 acres of flowering crocuses, colchicums and cyclamen, this is a day out you won’t forget. You can take an organised guided walk, see the foliage from the Treetop Walkway, explore the giant greenhouses and once your plant identification is complete, enjoy tea and cake in the fabulous café.

Between late September and early November, the National Arboretum at Westonbrit is alive with colour. Boasting over 18,000 trees and shrubs, here you will find one of the most impressive collections of greenery in the world. Walking through the pretty gardens you’ll see everything from red rich Japanese maples and late flowering seven-sun flower to the gorgeous green deciduous conifers.

It has to be said that dusky pink Powis Castle comes into it’s own in the autumn. Part of the National Trust, this impressive country mansion is surrounded by grand, show stopping gardens that never fail to impress. Over the next six weeks visitors can get involved with apple pressing and pumpkin carving and by night formal gardens, terraces and courtyard will be illuminated with hundreds of twinkling lights.

Nestled in the depths of the New Forest are 200 acres of azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons and trees that make up Exbury Gardens. As summer leaves this tranquil spot, so autumn brings with it a splendid show of colour that has to be seen, to be believed. With a steam train, fun park, wildlife and delightful tearoom, this is an autumn adventure for all the family to enjoy.

Whilst we all know Scotland is full of evergreens, the region becomes a sea of golden hues during the autumn. With pines as the perfect back-drop, Perthshire is perfect for witnessing the wonders of multi coloured foliage set against iconic lochs and moors.

Famous for Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire is also home to over 20 miles of beautiful, glowing colour every autumn. The pines create a distinctive contrast and fragrance as you walk through the forest taking in nature at it’s very best.

With an unbelievably beautiful landscape of moorland, woodland, river and sea, the hidden world of Exmoor comes alive during the autumn. The trees are a rich rust hue, the fruit and fungi abundant and if you stand still for long enough you might just see the deer on the move.

If you visit it one these spots, take a photo and send it to us so we can enjoy the moment too.

Team Pure-Beauty

Can sleep really keep colds away?

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Whilst an apple a day apparently keeps the doctor away, The Sleep Council believe, after doing some research into sleep and the immune system, that an effective weapon against coughs and colds this winter is a great night’s sleep .

Lisa Artis, from The Sleep Council, said, “Experts agree that those who sleep better have a stronger immune reaction, suggesting that sleep can banish bugs as well as making you feel a lot healthier.

“A longer night’s sleep – around seven to eight hours for most adults – seems to guard against common winter nasties such as coughs and colds, while scrimping on sleep appears to make you more likely to succumb to the sniffles. This seems to be particularly common in young people.”

Researchers in America have found that burning the candle at both ends increases the chances of coming down with coughs, colds and upset stomachs – especially among students and young adults.

Lisa explained; “The study, by those in the medical know at the Bradley Hospital, Rhode Island, showed that bouts of illness declined when pupils had a longer night’s sleep. Sleeping for longer also guarded against school absences because of illness, especially among boys.

“Meanwhile German researchers have suggested that the release of certain hormones during sleep may boost the immune system.

“This is all useful information for a nation where a third of us are afflicted with a bad cold between and two and three times a year. Better sleep could be the answer, helping to reduce absence at both school and work.”

Not only does sleep help to prevent colds, it is also useful in recovery.

Said Lisa: “Experts suggest that eight hours of uninterrupted sleep when you are suffering from a heavy cold is essential for recovery. Taking to bed to relax can make a real difference to the way the body copes with a heavy cold. ”

We have some excellent hints and tips for anyone who is suffering with a sniffle to ensure they use sleep to help them get well soon:

If you are feeling ill, chances are your bed is the only place you want to be, so make sure it is really comfortable. Make it clean, comforting and somewhere you can really relax and get the most health benefits from your sleep.

Use a supportive pillow, especially if you’re a woman. The Sleep Council survey suggested that four out of 10 women like to sleep propped up to ease congestion, which for many is the worst bit of having a cold. Men however, tend to prefer to sprawl out and take up a bit more room.

Make sure your bedroom is at a comfortable temperature; experts recommend around 18C is the best. Don’t put too many covers on, watch the dial on your electric blanket and be mindful of the conditions outside if you have the windows open.

Have a warm, relaxing bath before bed and try adding some herbal oils to clear your sinuses and help you breath a little more easily.

Try a comforting hot drink to help you sleep. Lemon and honey can sooth you, a hot chocolate made with milk can aid sleep but keep away from highly caffeinated teas and coffees.

Keep a glass of water, medication, throat sweets and tissues near your bed so you don’t need to go in search of them in the middle of the night.

Make your bedroom an electronic device free zone as these can stop you having a good night’s sleep.

* The Sleep Council ‘Cold Comfort’ Survey October 2005