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Feeling stressed? Do one or all of these things.

simple ways to destress

Unfortunately, stress is something that plagues us a generation. There is the constant feeling that something needs to be done that hasn’t been or that we’ve accidentally missed a payment. Sleeping problems are very common now. There is a unanimous struggle with “switching off”.

Sleeping and relaxing are some of the most important things you can do for your health. Take as many of these steps as you can to help relieve any stress you may be experiencing.

Fill your house with relaxing scents

Incense and candles are perfect for helping you and your muscles relax. Go for rich, woody and vanilla tones for the best relaxation benefits. Lavender is also great for relaxing too. Just have them burning as much as you can in your home or maybe even add essential oils to a bath. Burning rich oils before bed are known to help you sleep, so try this if falling asleep is something you regularly struggle with.

Sort your finances

Not feeling on top of your money is one of life’s biggest stressors. If you feel out of control, it may be time to bite the bullet, go into the bank, and sort your savings out once and for all. Pay off credit card bills, pay off your mortgage and any other outstanding payments you can afford to. Starting afresh and keeping on top of money business will be beneficial for your mental health and stress levels without a doubt!

Take up a sport

You know what I’m going to say, don’t you? Yoga is often recommended for helping people relax. Not only is it great for stretching and strengthening muscles, but it’s also great for the mind. Breathing and relaxation exercises help wick away the stressors of the day. If yoga is too slow for you, try pilates or something similar. Any exercise releases endorphins; the natural feel-good hormone.

Meditate

Meditating properly is seriously difficult. But even just sitting quietly for half an hour and trying to meditate has its benefits. Focussing on things other than money and deadlines will help you to gain perspective and clear your thoughts. There are plenty of guided tutorials online that are worth trying for beginners. Soon enough, you’ll be able to lead your practice and maybe even share your tricks with others to help them relax.

Read more, TV less

Staring at screens before bed will make it harder for you to sleep. This is a known fact! Looking at bright lights and moving objects just keeps your brain whirring around when you need it to switch off. So sleeping seems less and less possible which then makes you even more stressed! Stop TV or phone-screen time for a book before bed. You will naturally feel yourself getting more and more tired this way. When your eyelids start to feel heavy, you know it’s time for sleep.

These kinds of habits are invaluable in life. If you find something that works for you, share it with any friends that are stressed too; they’ll be grateful no doubt! Also,reading more and exercising can help any kids that have trouble sleeping well.

‘And This Bed is Just Right’ Said Goldilocks: Tips For Choosing The Right Mattress

Luckily Goldilocks only had to sample two beds until she found one that was ‘just right’. But for the rest of us it’s a bit more of a drawn out process, as there are so many things to take into consideration. It’s such an important decision, and knowing you’re going to be spending hours of your life on it for the foreseeable future can add pressure to the whole bed buying experience and leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed.

It doesn’t help that going into a shop to buy a bed can be a bit of a nightmare, and there are 4 ugly truths about mattress stores. You don’t get much time to test each one before making your purchase, delivery times can be slow, the sales advisors can be pushy and there’s not likely to be a refund policy. So if you get your mattress home, sleep on it for a few nights and decide it’s not for you, well you’re pretty much stuck with it. Here are a few tips to take into consideration before taking the plunge, so you can make the most informed purchase possible.

Think About Ditching The Springs

Probably the biggest decision you’re going to have to make when choosing a mattress is between foam and springs. If you’ve always gone with springs, trying a memory foam mattress might feel a bit weird because it’s so different. You even might think you don’t like it much at first. But research has shown that memory foam mattresses perform better in terms of support, weight distribution, relief from pressure points and overall quality of sleep. Springs lose 16% of their support in the first year alone, and so a bed that can feel very comfortable at first has the potential to go soft and springy quite quickly. It always comes down to personal preference though, if you really feel like springs suit you better then that’s the right choice for you.

Take your weight into consideration

This might be something you haven’t even thought to factor in, but your weight and build should influence what you buy. Some beds and mattresses will have weight restrictions, and others will wear out quickly if you or your partner are heavier. It might be a case of needing a higher density mattress that supports you better if you opt for memory foam, or a firmer sprung mattress if you opt for classic springs. Most mattresses will have an upper weight limit of around eighteen stone, so if you’re around or over this weight choosing correctly will mean your bed and mattress lasts you for the right amount of time (seven years, this is when everyone should change their mattress). If you and your partner are very different weights or prefer very different levels of firmness, it’s possible to have a custom mattress made where each half is different and then zipped together.

finding the perfect mattress

Think About The Size of Your Room

It’s tempting to go for the biggest bed you can find, and although a bigger bed will offer more comfort (especially if you have a wriggly sleeper beside you at night) you may want to consider if it will fit in your space. Will you fit your bedside tables at either side, and will the mattress go up the stairs? If you live in a flat or have an awkward hallway, opting for a rolled memory foam mattress may be your only option. They arrive vacuum packed and tightly rolled a bit like a duvet so are easy to maneuver around awkward bends. They then gradually expand when you roll them out to the size of a full mattress. Alternatively, as with the custom mattress you may need to go for something that splits into two, and can then be zipped together when it’s in the room. Be sure to measure hallways and factor in any tight turns to the room you’re putting it in before buying your mattress.

Invest in quality

While a high price tag doesn’t always equate to good quality, in most cases you will get what you pay for. The bed, and the mattress in particular is one area where you really don’t want to skimp, by doing so you’re only going to set yourself up of years of uncomfortable nights. Be aware that these things do tend to be expensive, have a look at price points online and work out roughly at what price you’re happy to go to. You’re better off waiting for sales and discounts rather than buying cheaper models, and so if your budget is low perhaps wait for the January sales or seasonal sales. A more expensive mattress is likely to be made with better quality materials and been subject to better research and testing so will last you longer. You’ll actually save money in the long run where you’re not having to replace it as soon.

Why A Good Night’s Sleep Is Non-Negotiable

Sleep, along with water, is one of those things that we all know we should get plenty of. When the doctor asks us how much we’ve been getting, we nod along and mutter an answer that we think is close to acceptable. According to you at your most mendacious, you get six to eight hours sleep a night. You drink six glasses of water a day. And yes, of course, you always get your five a day and don’t drink except on social occasions.

They might seem like white lies, designed to explain a hectic lifestyle in a world that doesn’t give much time for pause. Between work, managing a household, kids and trying to have some semblance of a social life – of course, you miss a few hours shut-eye. You know you shouldn’t, that you should rest more, but like the saying goes – you can sleep when you’re dead.

maintaining healthy sleep habits

Sorry to drop a hammer of unpleasantness on to your day, but there’s a simple truth you’re blinding yourself too. If you’re not getting enough sleep in life, then you’re going to speed towards those post-life hours all the faster. Not only does a lack of sleep impair your ability to drive and work properly, but it shortens your life expectancy by a frankly terrifying amount.

Sometimes it takes a little bit of tough love to make people see sense. If you get a handle on your sleep schedule, then your life will benefit in a variety of ways. All you need to do is follow the five golden rules.

Low lighting

If you try to sleep in a bright area, you’re not going to get as much rest as you should. Try and darken all sleeping areas as much as possible. If that’s not going to happen for logistical reasons, then use an eye mask.

Five hours a night is fine- but not all the time

Try and sleep for more than five hours per night at least three times a week. Aim low and try to better it. If you have a short night’s sleep the night before, try and catch a few more minutes the next night to keep yourself balanced.

Sleep comfortably

comfortable sleeping

As a rule of thumb, you need a good mattress and supportive pillows to feel comfortable. Consider any concerns like back pain, and if you need to address it, seek items that will help. Always check information before you buy; this Zinus mattress review is an example of helping you buy with all the information you need. If something isn’t working for you, return or donate it.

Don’t expect yourself to sleep through

The idea of sleeping through the night is a relatively modern invention. If you need to sleep for three hours, potter around awake for an hour or so and then head back to bed, that’s fine.

Don’t use sleeping tablets

sleeping tablets

They might help, but they will cause problems in the long run. Sleeping is about finding a natural schedule that works for you, not disrupting a natural process with medications. Better to go sleepless every now and again than mess with your circadian rhythm – which can take years to realign.

Now go and catch some Zs!

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