5 ways to succeed in your better sleep resolution

Improving your sleep is a great resolution to make, and we’re here to help you stick to it

January is a time when many of us make plans to improve our health, wellness, or financial situation. We put new year’s resolutions in place as a way to meet our goals and improve our habits, and of all the resolutions to make, better sleep is one of the best.

Sleep goes hand in hand with other common resolutions, such as better fitness or eating healthy. It impacts everything from our metabolism to our mental health, so prioritising quality sleep every night is always a good investment.

However, it’s all too common for new year’s resolutions to fall by the wayside after a couple of weeks. Thankfully, we’re here with the tips you need to ensure your better sleep resolution is one you can stick to.

Make your bedroom sleep-centred

The way your bedroom looks and feels can have a significant impact on how well you sleep, so it’s important to make mindful changes to your space to promote better rest. First, keep your bedroom cool and dark, with blackout blinds or curtains to ensure you stay asleep regardless of the time of year. You should also invest in high quality bedding, and keep your sleep space clean and tidy for a decluttered mindset.

Screens should also be kept out of the bedroom, as late night scrolling is a common cause of modern sleep concerns. Make your bedroom a tech-free zone to help you associate it purely with rest.

Create a schedule you can stick to

We are creatures of habit, and a big part of better sleep is creating a habit that you can implement every day. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each evening and morning can train your body, so that it knows when it’s time to wind down and when it’s time to energise.

The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night, so create a schedule that gives you enough time to meet this target.

Introduce a wind down window

For many of us, it’s impossible to simply stop whatever we’re doing – whether that’s working, socialising, or watching TV – and get straight into bed and fall asleep. We need time to relax and unwind from our day, and this is something you should bear in mind when creating your sleep schedule.

Give yourself around an hour before bed to engage in relaxing activities – ones that don’t involve social media, work, or screens. These could include reading, having a bath, or even mindfulness, meditation, and gentle stretching.

Exercise during the day

While stretching can help us wind down in the evening, exercise can help us stay energised during the day. If your new year’s resolution is to up your fitness game, this can also work in tandem with your drive to improve your sleep. Daily exercise helps you feel more ready to rest when evening rolls around, and likewise, better sleep helps you feel more inclined to work out. Just make sure you aren’t exercising too vigorously too late in the day, as this can actually inhibit your ability to fall asleep.

Watch what you eat (and when you eat it)

Following a healthy diet is another common new year’s resolution, and again it can work alongside your commitment to better sleep. Indulging is less healthy foods and drinks – like sweet treats, too much coffee, or alcohol – can disrupt or daily sleep/wake cycle, especially if you’re eating and drinking late at night. By watching what you eat, and when you eat it, you can enjoy better sleep in 2024 and beyond.

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