Some experts have said that eight hours of sleep is required per night for a person to function properly, but according to new findings many Australians don’t.
The world’s largest sleep report, The Sealy Sleep Census, found that about 75 per cent of Australians struggle to get to, or stay asleep at night.
It also revealed that about 20 per cent of Australians experienced insomnia three times or more per week, while the average mum only had six hours of sleep per night, with 75 per cent feeling depressed or angry as a result.
To combat these issues, a former contestant of the Block, Bec Douros and award winning interior blogger, Gina Ciancio from Style Curator, have shared their tips on how to create the ultimate sleep sanctuary.
1. ASSESS YOUR BED
“A good mattress won’t sag. When you’re styling a bed you want it to look smooth and inviting. A mattress that dips in the middle takes this look away.
“The quality and the support of your mattress, plays a big role in how comfortable you feel in your bedroom and how quickly you can drift off to sleep,” Ms Ciancio said.
2. CONSIDER LINEN.
“Try to use real linen or bamboo sheets as these have been proven to help your skin breathe, regulating your body temperature and helping you get a quality night’s sleep,” Mrs Douros said.
3. USE A FLAT SHEET.
“By tucking the edges on the flat sheet neatly into the mattress, you’ll create smoother lines and create a more sophisticated style,” Mrs Douros said.
4. CLEAR ELECTRONICS.
“So many of us are guilty of sleeping with our mobiles on our bedside tables. Keeping electronics away from our head means we won’t be disturbed, such as when the phone vibrates or screen illuminates.
“If you use your phone as your alarm clock, consider putting it on the floor at the foot of the bed or somewhere far enough away that it won’t wake you. It also means you’ll need to get out of bed to turn it off, helping you to get up in the morning,” Ms Ciancio said.
5. ACCESSORISE.
“A well-styled bed says ‘hello, I’m ready for you’. I generally opt for two euro cushions, four standard cushions and three feature cushions.
“I love the energy and mood art can bring to a bedroom. There’s such a wide range of affordable art these days.
“I adore fresh flowers and just the sight of them in the bedroom makes me feel happier and more relaxed. But some people can find the fragrance too much in the bedroom so indoor plants are also a great idea. There are even plants that are said to help insomnia like the snake plant, aloe vera, white jasmine and english ivy,” Ms Ciancio said.
