If you’re waking up tired, chances are you’re not sleeping well. When we don’t get a good night’s sleep, many issues can occur including a lack of energy, a decrease in mental capacity, a weaker immune system and much more. If you want to be happier, healthier and increase your well-being, sleep should be your number one priority.

At Harvey Norman we love sleep, and we want to help you to create the sleep of your dreams. Here are some tips to help you wake up feeling refreshed.

      Find your comfort

On average we spend one-third of our lives in bed, so having a comfortable and supportive bed is essential for healthy sleep.

      Room temperature

Sleeping in a room between 18 and 22°C helps you to fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer. Your body temperature drops naturally as you fall asleep and sleeping in a cool room speeds up the process. A bed environment that is too warm may be preventing you from getting a sound sleep. Our Bedding specialists can help you find the right bed or linen to help regulate your temperature for a better night’s sleep.

      Bed time and wake up

Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Our body has a circadian rhythm that can be reinforced by doing this, the outcome is more energy and a stronger immune system. 

     Darken your room

Make your room as dark as possible. Darkness helps to stimulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps you fall asleep quickly. It also helps you stay asleep until all your sleeping cycles are complete.

     Turn electronics off

Turn your electronic devices off an hour before bedtime. Blue light is emitted by cell phones which restrains the production of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep and wake up the next day.

Exercise

Getting at least 20 minutes of moderate exercise a day can increase your sleep quality and decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep.

Dinner time

Eat your last meal of the day at least 2-3 hours before going to bed. This allows your body to digest your food. If you eat too close to bedtime, you may experience an upset stomach, acid reflux or indigestion during the night.

      Hot baths or showers

Having a hot bath or shower one to two hours before bedtime helps you to fall asleep faster. Research shows that warm water stimulates blood flow to the hands and feet, regulating the heat in your body and allowing you to sleep better.

Take this quick quiz to find out if it’s time for you to get a new bed or bed linen:

• Is your bed over eight years old?
• Are you rolling out of your bed?
• Are you rolling into the middle?
• Does your mattress look lumpy or saggy?
• Are you uncomfortable in some positions?
• Does your bed squeak when you turn over?
• Are you waking up in discomfort?

If you have answered ‘Yes’ to any of the above questions, then it’s definitely time for a new bed. To find out more, visit your local Harvey Norman store and talk to one of our sleep specialists today.