One key swap to make to ensure you get better sleep this winter

Sleep is foundational to both physical and emotional health, yet a significant portion of people struggle to get enough.

According to Woolroom’s Clean Sleep Report, while 83% of participants identified quality sleep as essential to their well-being, 60% admitted they were sleeping less than six hours per night.

This winter, sleep expert and Woolroom managing director Chris Tattersall recommends one simple change to transform sleep quality: switching to natural wool bedding with linen sheets.

Insufficient sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling groggy, it can have serious health consequences.

Poor sleep is linked to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems, while also weakening the immune system. 

But a lack of rest affects memory, attention, problem-solving and productivity. As winter nights grow colder, improving your sleep environment can help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the year.

Wool bedding has been scientifically proven to enhance sleep by 25%, delivering deeper and more regenerative rest compared to synthetic alternatives.

Its temperature-regulating properties are key, especially during colder months when overheating can ruin your sleep.

Chris said: “Heat regulation is crucial to great sleep, and being too hot is often the number one disruptor.”

Natural wool helps maintain the perfect sleeping temperature, preventing night-time restlessness caused by excessive heat.

Wool bedding provides an additional benefit for couples. It balances temperature between co-sleepers, minimizing disturbances caused by differing body heat levels. 

Switching to natural fibre bedding is an accessible and impactful way to improve sleep hygiene.

According to Chris, other good sleeping habits include waking up early, which can help signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down.

This could involve relaxing activities like reading, taking a warm bath, listening to calming music, or dimming the lights to create a cosy atmosphere.

Keeping your room at the optimal temperature of 18 degrees and using comfortable, breathable bedding can also enhance your sleep quality.

Another vital practice is to minimize screen time before bed. The blue light emitted by phones, TVs, and laptops suppresses melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy.

Switching off devices at least two hours before bed, enabling night mode, or engaging in calming alternatives like journaling or meditation can help you drift off more easily.

Throughout the day, adopting healthy habits is equally important.

Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, especially in the afternoon and evening, avoid taking long naps, and expose yourself to natural sunlight in the morning to regulate your circadian rhythm.

Additionally, leaving a gap of at least two hours between heavy meals or intense exercise and bedtime ensures your body is ready for rest.