We’re not sleeping as well as we once did, and it’s not surprising. The ‘new normal’ of social distancing, school closures, lockdowns, and working from home has not only disrupted the way we live, work and play, but it’s been stealing our precious z’s too.

We’ve stretched our bedtimes much later at night and replaced the morning commute with longer lie-ins. We’ve traded in our running shoes for slippers and swapped sunshine for screen time (thanks, Netflix). Perhaps worst of all, we’ve brought our laptops (and our work) with us into the bedroom, making it difficult for our brains and bodies to distinguish between staying alert to work, or winding down for bedtime.

The result? A confused body clock and unhealthy sleep schedule, which can lead to sleep deprivation (the effects of which include forgetfulness, weight gain, mood swings and poor work performance).

So how do you fix your z’s before your bad bedtime habits become health issues? It all starts where you lay your weary head.

Give your bedroom a sleep makeover

There’s no better time than now – when you’re spending so much time at home – to give your space the facelift you’ve been dreaming about. Whether you’re optimising your workspace for better productivity (or creating a dedicated learning space for your children); or revamping the kitchen to accommodate your newly discovered love for home cooking, improving your physical environment goes a long way towards boosting your overall wellbeing.

It’s even more important in the bedroom where creating an uncluttered, organised environment will lead to a stress-free, sleep-easy state of mind. Fostering mental wellness leads to better sleep. And when you improve your sleep, you improve all aspects of your life, from your health and relationships to your productivity.

Are you ready to turn your bedroom into the ultimate sleep-friendly destination? Here’s how:

Upgrade your linen for better sleep

Your bed linen not only enhances the aesthetic of your room but also plays a vital role in how well you sleep. Nothing says “come to bed” better than luxurious linen and crisp cotton sheets, which is why we love French brand, Alexander Turpault for their sophisticated savoir-faire pieces.

Slip into something more comfortable

Your sleepwear can be the difference between peaceful, uninterrupted sleep or a night of tossing and turning. Whether it’s a light cotton nightshirt, a luxurious silk chemise, or a stretchy t-shirt, when choosing your pyjamas, only one rule applies: opt for what feels good when you’re wearing it.

Turn the lights down low

While light is the enemy of sleep (your bedroom should be as dark as you can make it), you can use lighting strategically to imbue an atmosphere of calm before bed. The elegant MADRA lamp from Blanc-d’Ivoire is our choice to create an intimate ambience in your bedroom. Made from cane, it diffuses the light to soften the atmosphere and invite slumber.

Discover the art of fragrance for sleep

Infusing your bedroom with soothing scents such as lavender, vanilla, and bergamot can help you sleep better. We love the candles, pillow sprays and oil diffusers from expert perfumer, Mathilde M. who is known for creating refined scents that enchant interiors.

Practise good sleep hygiene

Improving your sleep quality doesn’t stop at the bedroom door but requires a little extra effort on your part. It’s called sleep hygiene, a combination of healthy practices and habits that help you prepare for a quality night’s sleep.

Sleep hygiene tips to improve your sleep:

Get enough sleep. Adults need between 7–9 hours of sleep each night. Getting enough sleep helps with your cognitive performance, boosts your immune system, improves your mood, and promotes longevity.

Keep a consistent sleep routine. One of the biggest challenges facing us in this ‘lockdown life’ is not having a schedule. In the same way that we’ve learned to structure our workday hours to improve our work-from-home productivity, we can do the same for our sleep by sticking to regular bedtime and wake-up times.

Create a relaxing bedtime routine. Allow yourself at least 30 minutes before bedtime to unwind, whether you journal, meditate or do some light yoga.

Ban electronics to limit blue-light exposure (which is harmful to your sleep). This includes phones, TV, computers, digital alarm clocks and even electronic photo frames.

Tidy up. Pack your clothes away, get rid of clutter, and make your bed every day.

You’ll be surprised by the effect of these small changes on your mental wellbeing, productivity and general outlook. It’s true: improving the quality of your sleep can change your life for the better.