4 Simple Ways to Get Your Best Rest Yet
Mark your calendars for November 2, the best night of the year! Clocks turn back, meaning there’s an extra much-needed hour of rest and relaxation for us all. Fall is the perfect time of year to reset your sleep habits. In preparation for the longest night of the year, we partnered with the sleep experts at Nectar by Resident to round up easy tips for making the most of it, from mindful breathing to ensuring you have the right mattress for your sleep style.
1. Invest in a Pair of Blue Light Blocking Glasses
Do you stare at a screen all day? Welcome to the club. Digital eye strain is a real thing, and it might be interfering with your sleep at night. If your work involves staring at a screen for eight hours a day and you still want to enjoy some Netflix before bed, there’s a solution. A pair of blue light blocking glasses will filter out lumens that might otherwise be keeping you up at night. Studies show that light from digital devices can put a damper on your sweet dreams, so it’s best to filter it out.
2. Create the Perfect Sleep Environment
Of course, a great mattress is the foundation for any good night’s sleep. And it might be time to try a new one. Nectar’s memory foam mattresses have a cult following thanks in part to their risk-free 365-night home trial. With free shipping and a no-risk guarantee, why not try out a new mattress for a year? They’re designed with back sleepers, side sleepers, and in-between sleepers in mind, and have a moisture-wicking cover for a cooler sleep. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, there’s no reason not to try it.
3. Practice Mindful Breathing
This is the fastest and easiest way to ensure a good night’s sleep. Practice the 2:1 breathing exercise: While you’re falling asleep, make sure every exhale lasts twice as long as one inhale. It’s as simple as that. Mindful breathing can help disengage your brain from distracting thoughts and reduces your body’s stress response, so this technique is definitely worth a try.
4. Abide by the 20-minute Rule
According to experts, if you’re not asleep after 20 minutes in bed, time is up. But take that advice with a grain of salt. Taking a break to go read or do some other activity is actually better for you than staying awake and watching the minutes pass on your bedside clock. If you’re not sleeping well, make it a habit to engage in restful activities like reading or listening to music.