2023 is almost upon us, so no doubt a lot of us are starting to think up some ideas for our resolutions. Today, we’re going to vouch for why getting better sleep should be our top resolution.
Sometimes a simple goal is easier to work towards, depending on what kind of person you are. Here are the top five resolutions that people adopt:
- Do more exercise
- Lose weight/eat healthier
- Learn a new hobby or skill
- Quit smoking
- Save more money/spend less money
According to Forbes, only 8% of people who set a New Year’s resolution are successful. Undoubtedly, 92% is a high fail rate by any standard. So, why is this the case? Why do so many people fail to achieve their goals set at the beginning of the year?
Treating the marathon like a sprint is one reason why many people fail. For many resolutions, you can’t expect to see instantaneous results. On average, it takes about two months to form a new habit, so taking it slow and steady is a much more effective way to see results.
It’s also essential to find ways to enjoy achieving your goals. If you want to eat healthier or get fitter, you’ll be much more successful if you find meals you appreciate and a sport or exercise you like. In line with this, you want to ensure you have a sweet treat or lazy weekend now and then. Trying too hard can cause you to deprive your body of pleasure, and it’s totally okay to indulge occasionally! Reminding yourself of this will make it easier to keep on track with your overarching goals.
Keeping tabs on progress is crucial for motivating yourself to continue your journey. Whether it’s tracking weight loss, improvements in the gym, or how much money you’re saving each week, it’s the perfect way to remind you how well you’re doing. Even if you have blips in your journey, you can reflect on your progress and reassure yourself that it is possible to attain your goals.
Sleep is usually overlooked when it comes to resolutions, despite 1 in 5 people in the UK not getting enough sleep.
Getting better sleep puts you in good stead to work towards your other goals—better mental, physical and emotional health results from better sleep quality. If all these areas are improved, motivation and commitment to your goals become much more manageable.
Now, we know there are many aspects of sleep which you may struggle with, whether it’s sleep duration, quality, latency (how long it takes to fall asleep), or body support at night. Below, we’ll review some of our top tips to help you get better sleep in 2023.
The general recommendation is that we get between 7-9 hours of sleep per night, but where we land in this range varies from person to person. If you need to hit at least 7 hours of sleep, establishing a solid bedtime routine will ensure you’re closer to that goal.
For example, putting your phone down half an hour before sleep, getting into bed and lights out at particular times will work wonders for establishing a healthy circadian rhythm. This is our internal sleep-wake body clock, and sticking to a regular bedtime routine will help ensure you get tired at recurring times each night. Therefore, you should get at least 7 hours of sleep if you can fall asleep at the same time every night.
Getting a good amount of sleep, but you don’t feel refreshed and rejuvenated in the morning? Your sleep quality may be taking a hit. Your diet and exercise routine are worth considering if you want to sleep better. For example, caffeine can affect you up to 8 hours after consumption, so avoiding it after 2-3 pm could prevent sleep disturbances and improve sleep quality. Additionally, avoiding alcohol and large meals before you sleep will work wonders for your sleep quality, as both can interfere with the natural release of hormones that help you sleep well.
As mentioned above, some people struggle with how long it takes to fall asleep. Generally, it takes 15-20 minutes for a healthy person to fall asleep, but it can vary from person to person. Much like sleep duration, it’s essential to establish a sleep routine to regulate your circadian rhythm. On top of this, you should take measures to ensure your bedroom is as dark and quiet as possible. Whether using earplugs or an eye mask, this can help eliminate environmental stimulants that keep you up. Lastly, consider trying a meditation app if stress or anxiety affects your sleep latency struggles. They’re great at helping you relax your body and mind, assuring you drift off calmly and effectively.
Lastly, any of the above aspects of your sleep could be affected if your body isn’t adequately supported throughout the night. To wake up refreshed and without aches or pains, you need a mattress that matches your preferred sleeping positions, so your spine is aligned correctly at night. To find out what mattress you need for how you sleep, look at our ‘What Mattress Tension Do I Need?‘ blog. If you’re sleeping on the wrong mattress for you, or it’s simply due an upgrade, it might be time to invest in a new bed.
Regardless of your goals for 2023, getting the sleep you need should be the basis for all. Not only will you feel more energised for your daily responsibilities, but you will be ready to take on new challenges.
If your current bed set-up isn’t suitable to provide you with the excellent night’s sleep you deserve, it might be time to invest in your sleep. Whether it’s a new mattress, bed frame, bedding or all of it, you can find options to meet your needs and budget with Mattressman.