In case you missed it, sleep matters. Alongside moving our bodies, and what we eat, it's what fuels the good life.
We all know the recommendations—seven to nine hours of nodding off are advised for adults aged 18–64. So, it's a bit worrying that 40% of Aussies struggle with hitting the hay for more than seven hours.
Just like an epic skincare routine, getting a decent night's sleep is a combo of good habits, a relaxing environment and most importantly, prioritising yourself. Termed 'sleep hygiene,' this practice is all about giving yourself the best shot at dozing off after sunset.
We've teamed up with one of the best in the biz—Sheridan—to dish up five practical ways to slip straight into dreamland. Cosy sheets are mandatory, of course.
Nail Your Evening Routine
'I'm going to fall asleep at 9pm,' said no one, ever. As we've learnt, sleep is not that simple. It takes preparation and planning to develop a healthy relationship with your pillow, starting with your evening routine.
Taking steps to de-stress should be at the top of your list. 22% of Aussies work before bed, and that's just not a vibe. With working from home still very much a thing, you'll want to create clear space between day and night. Building a habit to signal this switch could help—try kicking off your evening with yoga stretches, meditation, journaling or reading.
Wondering where to even start? Go all-in on the zen life with the best meditation apps, get flexible with these online yoga classes or find your inner happiness with these mood-shifting journals.
Invest In Your Bedding
Categorically, there is nothing better in this world than sliding into a bed with freshly laundered sheets—there's a reason 'fresh sheets' is a legitimate candle scent. Given we spend about one-third of our lives sleeping, it's only right to make sure our sheets are up to scratch.
Sheridan has been in the biz since 1967, so the Sheridan team know a thing or two about crafting bedding to last a lifetime—or longer. Whether you prefer a soft, cosy bed or crisp, weighty sheets, there's a set just for you.
Once you've dialled up the comfort on your bed sanctuary, you'll want to develop some habits to back this up. Keeping your bed just for rest and sleeping is key—no late-night emails, no binge-watching shows, and certainly no TikTok (sorry, not sorry)
Go Analog Before Bedtime
Phones in bed? It's a big no from us. If your Monday morning screen time report results in a regular face-palm moment, this one is for you. For obvious reasons, phones make your brain feel all kinds of alert instead of relaxed. Plus, with news and content at our fingertips, you're more likely to experience emotions like anger, anxiety and fear before trying to drift off.
The fix? Go old school. Grab yourself a cheap alarm clock and banish your phone to another room. This will help get you into a better morning routine (goodbye, 50+ alarms) and decompress better before bed. You'll also become less reliant on your phone—a big win for your sanity and screen time.
Try A Mattress Topper
The humble mattress topper is seriously underrated. If you haven’t yet experienced a solid night’s sleep atop a mattress topper, you honestly don’t know what you’re missing. From cooling and heating fabrics to memory foam technology, mattress toppers come in all shapes and sizes and can cater to various needs. And the benefits are endless. Not only will a cosy mattress topper sail you to sleep town but they can also reduce body aches and pains and increase the lifespan of your mattress.
If you think your mattress is ready for council pick-up, you might want to give a mattress topper a whirl before dragging it to the curb—it could prevent you from spending some serious coin. Sheridan’s Deluxe Gel Infused Memory Foam Topper or Deluxe Wool Underlay is a great place to start.
Curate A Relaxing Environment
With the bed nailed, turn your attention to creating a restful and relaxing abode. The essentials? Temperature, lighting and cleanliness.
The best temperature for a good night's sleep is between 15.6 to 19.4 degrees celsius. You'll want to set your space up to combat any fluctuations (we're looking at you, random Melbourne heat waves). Keep your curtains closed during the day, invest in a fan or air-conditioning unit, or opt for cooling bedding and sleepwear.
When it comes to lighting, choose moody options in the evening; salt lamps, fairy lights... you know the deal. When it comes to waking up, fling open the curtains for a hit of natural light first thing in the morning.
As far as cleanliness goes, this one is pretty obvious. A cluttered space = a cluttered mind, and that never helps anyone fall asleep. We suggest adding five minutes of power tidying to your evening routine to set you up for snoozing success.
Ready to transform your sleep? Start by stepping up your sheet game. From cooling Egyptian cotton through to silky sateen and trendy linen, the choice is yours when it comes to Sheridan sheet sets.
Editor's note: This article is sponsored by Sheridan and proudly endorsed by Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.