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

The smart way to get your family screen free

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Let’s face it, many of us spend far too much time on our phones, tablets, and laptops, so now and again we need a reminder to take a screen break.

Yes, they help us work and play, but their addictive nature and glaring lights do little to help us rest.

We have some ideas of how you and your family can get back on track, spend less time online and interact with each other rather than living in a virtual reality.

Have a time limit
Five minutes on Insta can quickly turn into an hour, so having time limits early on is a great idea. No screens before breakfast, a couple of hours at the weekend, nothing an hour before bed and a screen ban in bedrooms can all help to get the balance right and save squabbles later on.

Keep an eye on the remote
In our digital age we often forget the impact of the mere TV screen, but you should monitor this as well. Does the TV really need to be on all the time? Is binge watching box sets the best use of family time together and do the kids watch age appropriate shows? Decide on family rules about the TV, don’t leave it on just because it’s easy and if all else fails, hide the remote!

Rethink TV dinners
Yes, a pizza and movie at the weekend is a treat and can bring you all together, but TV dinners every night might not be the way to go. Open plan living and kitchen diners mean that it’s super easy to eat a bowl of pesto pasta on your knee as you watch Netflix but eating together at the table and catching up on your news can be so much better, and if you cook together that is even better!

Digital detox
There might be protests, but even an hour of screen free time on Sunday can help make some big changes. Putting down the phones and tablets and going out for a walk in the park, having a swim or meeting up with friends will give you time together as a family and while you might not get any photos for Facebook, you will make some lovely memories.

Take back control
When it comes to kids and devices, you do have the option of taking back control and putting restrictions in place. There are various apps out there that allow you to block and filter usage and you can put a timer on the internet, or just turn it off altogether. While asking for passwords might not be your thing, knowing what they are doing online and who they’re talking to, is probably a smart move, even if it is an unpopular one as they get older.

Practise what you preach
If you’re looking at your emails or Facebook feed while you eat breakfast, your children are likely to think they can do the same. If you want your family to agree to changes, you need to ensure you are following the rules as well or you might have a real battle on your hands.

We don’t say you have to do anything drastic now, but doing one or two things differently could bring you closer together.

Team Pure Beauty

Keep Jet Lag at Bay

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We admit it’s not the worst thing in the world, but jet lag can really get you down.

As well as obvious insomnia, the resulting tiredness of jet lag can cause lethargy, anxiety, feelings of frustration and even trigger headaches.

While you can escape the reality of jet lag being a side effect of travel, there are a number of things you can do to try to reduce the impact it has on you.

Adjust Your Inner Time Zone
One thing you can do to combat jet lag is to start living in your new time zone a few days before you travel – if it is possible and sensible. Waking up and going to sleep in your future destination might be tricky, but if you try to make small adjustments before you travel, it can have a positive impact on the how your body, and mind, respond when you land.

Sleep Before You Go
Yes, you might be on holiday or working to a punishing schedule, but if you can try to get a few nights of good, unbroken sleep before you fly, this can help deal with anything jet lag throws at you when you land on the other side.

Drink Water
We say this a lot, but when it comes to travel and jet lag, you really do need to keep drinking water. Staying hydrated before, during and after your flight, is really important because the dry air in planes can zap your body and skin and the resulting dehydration can make jet lag worse.

Stay Away from Alcohol
It might be tempting to try out the free bar in the airport lounge and throw back the champagne on the flight, but this isn’t a great idea if you want to keep a clear head beat jet lag. Try to avoid alcohol, and caffeine, before and during your flight and this will help to keep you feeling fresh and alert because the last thing you need is a hangover as well as jet lag.

Think About Food
It might be tempting to eat peanuts and crisps as you travel but going for a light, healthy meal with fresh veg and lean protein can help keep your digestive system in check, stop bloating and stave off the munches if you can’t sleep later.

Get Up and Move
While you on your flight, you might want to curl up and leave the world behind you, but getting up and walking around the plane is a good idea. Regular movement, as well as simple stretches by your sear, can help keep aches and pains at bay, improve your circulation, clear your head, deal with any stress you have and even help you to sleep when the lights go out.

A Little Meditation
Meditation can help you to relax before and during a flight, as well as when you have landed and are struggling to sleep. Sit quietly, close your eyes and put your worries to one side as you focus on your breath. This isn’t a magic cure, but it can help deal with the anxiety of jet lag and the frustration of not being able to get to sleep.

Don’t Nod Off
Yes, you might be shattered, but going to sleep at 3pm won’t do your jet lag any favours. Try to stay awake for as long as you can, take a little exercise, eat good food, drink water, then take a warm bath before retiring at the usual time and hopefully things will settle.

Happy travels.

Team Pure Beauty