By FIONA FOWLEY
March is National Bed Month. But if you’re lacking in the sleep department – and I’m not just talking about sleep deprived mummies and daddies – never fear, because you’re not alone. Yes, it seems (albeit annoyingly), some of us are better at catching the Zzzz’s than others. And so, in a bid to help you get that well earned, deep restful sleep, here are my top five tips to make the most of bedtime and bring a little #zentime into your night-time routine.
- Embrace me-time and clear your mind of everyday stresses. Working hard and playing hard takes its toll on both the mind and body but pampering really can help and aid a good night’s sleep. Take, for example, a Hot Stone massage (from £65 for 40 minutes). It’s an amazing, relaxing treatment using oils, warmed stones and firm yet gentle, rhythmic techniques to soothe away muscular tensions. We’re open until 10pm so you can book yourself in for an evening massage and head home for an early night.
- Tidy room equals tidy mind. Declutter, make your bedroom a sanctuary and don’t underestimate the power of scent. Certain smells like lavender affect your mood and help you relax. I love the range of 3-wick scented candles from Neom Organics and use them nightly. 100% natural, they smell divine and burn for up to 35 hours so you get a lot of bang for your buck. Try lighting the Sensuous scent an hour before bedtime to fill the room with a gorgeous, calming aroma. They always sell out fast at Zen and are available for £45 at any Zen salon.
- Banish technology from certain rooms. In my house phones, iPads, TVs and laptops are a big no-no in the bedroom. If you’re guilty of looking at your phone last thing at night, listen up because research shows that the blue and white light given off by our beloved electronic gadgets prevents our brains from releasing melatonin, a hormone that controls the sleep cycle. So ‘switch off’ to switch off.
- Invest in your bed. According to sleep experts your mattress should offer the right support (firm enough to support your spine but soft enough to conform to your body’s contours) and changed every 7 years. It makes sense when you think about it…we use it every night for a minimum of 6-8 hours so it clocks up a lot of use.
- Turn sleep into beauty sleep. We all need some TLC when it comes to our skin and a weekly skincare treatment will work wonders. Try the new Murad Retinol Youth Serum (£65) to help tired looking skin or the Murad Intensive-C home peel (£49.50). Combine this with a few drops of lavender essential oil on your feet or palms and voilà, here’s to a good night’s sleep!
And lastly, if you’re looking for some extra help in choosing the right treatment for you to promote sleep or specific products to help relax and unwind, please just give us a wee call or pop into one of our salons. Our expert therapists will be delighted to help offer some friendly advice and recommendations.
Sleep tight!
Fiona Fowley is the beauty expert and entrepreneur behind the Zen Lifestyle salons. Originally a beauty therapist, Fiona realised there was a gap in the market to create a unique kind of customer experience in the UK beauty and spa industry. She created Zen Lifestyle to provide discerning clients with an exceptionally high standard of therapies in luxurious, beautifully designed surroundings. she has led the business to 18 national beauty awards, as well as being voted UK Salon of the Year 5 times.
