This week it is National Stress Awareness Week and it’s something that is very close to us at Number Nine. We have all felt the effects of stress at some point in our lives, whether it be through work, relationships, personal pressures or through financial stress, and some of us deal with it more often than others.

For our fourth and final post we are focusing on sleep. It’s no secret that a lack of sleep can leave you feeling groggy. In fact, poor sleep is linked to physical problems such as a weakened immune system and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. During sleep your brain repairs your body both physically and mentally, meaning a good night’s sleep will often lead to a happy and energised filled day. For those of you that have difficulty drifting into a blissful snooze, we’ve got you covered with some top tips and advice!

Get Active

Whether it’s a fitness class after work or an afternoon stroll, staying physically active during the day will ensure that you’re tired and ready for rest come bedtime.

Besides the obvious calorie burning and muscle building benefits, partaking in exercise will also release endorphins which will calm you and improve your mood, meaning you’re more likely to snooze off successfully. Just remember to leave two hours before exercise and sleep to ensure your body has time to stabilise before you begin to snooze.

Keep Hydrated

According to a recent study, water deprivation can negatively impact your mood, which could affect overall sleep-wake cycle. Drinking a glass of water before bed will keep you hydrated throughout the night and naturally cleanse your body of toxins – but, be sure to leave an hour before drinking and sleep to avoid any midnight toilet trips. It’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day too, a helpful goal is 8 glasses of water a day, but this may vary depending on person and activity levels.

If you’re partial to a vino or two at the weekend, or maybe a gin and tonic (I know we are), then why not try a spritzer or a soda water mixer? This will help counteract the dehydrating properties of the alcohol, meaning you’ll have less of a hangover when you wake up the next day too!

Switch off

Most of us are guilty of binge-watching Netflix or relentlessly scrolling through Instagram before bed, however, in doing so we are negatively affecting our sleep. Research has found that using electronic devices before going to sleep can be physiologically and psychologically stimulating, leaving you feeling awake and restless.

Why not try setting a digital curfew and switching off your devices an hour before bed, or even just 30 minutes before, the earlier in the evening the better!

Practise good posture

it’s no secret that good posture is important within our everyday lives, however, what some people may not know is that maintaining your body's perfect position posture doesn’t just apply to sitting and standing. When you sleep, the muscles in your back start to relax and heal over time, so it’s important that we maintain good posture, even whilst we’re getting our beauty sleep.

Experts believe that sleeping with a pillow between your legs and knees can help your posture and improve your quality of sleep. This position can eliminate pressure and muscle tension in your lower back by preventing your legs from pulling, providing you with a better night’s sleep.

Invest in sleep

Sometimes, it is the case that you can try all the natural sleeping remedies and various sleeping positions to give yourself a good night’s sleep, but it’s simply just your uncomfortable mattress or squeaky bed frame that keeps you up for most of the night.

Instead of counting sheep, why not bite the bullet and invest in a new bed or mattress? At Happy Beds, it’s easier and more affordable than you may think. Whether you think you'll need firm support or something that will mould to your body, Happy Beds are sure to have a mattress that's right for you. Shop their range of beds and mattresses at: https://www.happybeds.co.uk/