Winter months are about restoration, cocooning and hibernation. An important part of this is cosy nights at home, slow weekends of self-care and long nights of sleep.

Getting an uninterrupted night's sleep is something that I have struggled with in the past, and I know I’m not the only one, so this month I thought I’d share a few of my top tips for a nice long cosy sleep.

1 – Set yourself up for success

Start your wind-down process at least an hour before you plan to sleep. I try to start when I get home from work. Lower the lights, light candles with your favourite scents, take a shower or bath, wrap up in warm PJs, get away from screens, and play relaxing music. One hour before bed, I move my phone to the dressing room to avoid any further screen time.

2 – Spritz your room

Closer to bedtime I always spritz my bedroom with a scented room spray. This relaxing ritual, and of course the lovely scent, helps with the process of winding down.

3 – Warm the bed

I use a heated blanket but if you don’t have one use a couple of hot water bottles to make your bed nice and cosy.

4 – Get yourself a weighted blanket

Without a doubt, one of the most important parts of my successful sleep strategy is my weighted blanket. I use a lovely heavy crocheted one, but there are lots of choices available. Benefits can include providing comfort and security, easing stress and soothing anxiety, calming the nervous system and so much more.

5 - An eye mask, or a weighted eye mask

I have used eye masks for years but started using a weighted version a couple of years ago, which has helped improve my sleep. The cocooning weight of the mask and blanket helped me relax much more quickly, allowing me to fall into a deeper sleep.

6 - Good bedding

Making sure all your bedding suits your body and skin is so important. Don’t underestimate the power of a good pillow. Investing in a good quality one can make such a difference. I have a few, including one that is shaped and comes with a silk cover, which I love.

So, that’s it! Just a few tips from me, and I hope you find something useful here to aid a beautiful night’s sleep.

All my best wishes,

Hannah