Are you waking up tired? Tossing and turning all night unable to get some sleep, no matter how many sheep you count? Do you feel exhausted all day, but too tired to get some shut-eye? The quality of your sleep affects you in the short and long term.
A study by Paula Alhola and Päivi Polo- Kantola showed that not getting enough sleep had a direct impact on your cognitive abilities. Our memories, attention space, response time and decision making skills suffer when we are sleep deprived. In a nutshell, we turn into stupid zombies. But you probably already knew that.
The problem also extends far into the future. The risk of conditions like obesity, hypertension and heart disease increase with the decrease of the number of hours of sleep. If you want to know how much you should be sleeping, listen to your body. If the amount of shut-eye you are getting is not negatively affecting your performance during the day then you are absolutely fine.
Being so focused on a specific number of hours can actually backfire. But allowing yourself to follow your body’s natural rhythm will help you discover the magic number for you and your body. However, if you are having trouble functioning then you need to rethink your bedtime.
Despite knowing all of these things, it is not always easy getting to bed on time, and even when we do, it can be challenging to actually fall and stay asleep. We asked Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI for some better sleep advice.
Sleep is different, sleep changes
Common wisdom tells you that 8 hours a night or 90-minute sleep cycles are ideal for everyone. The truth is that this might be dubious advice. Sleep changes from person to person and even differs across life stages. Toddlers and grandparents do not have the same needs. That said, you can start at 8 hours and see if you need more or less. There are times in life when you are forced to function on less hours of sleep than you need, so you must at least try to make them count for more.
What you can do: MUJI has great beds and mattresses that will help you get to the deep sleep you so sorely need. The simple bed frame is made from solid Oak wood which gives the bed its natural light color. The classic design also comes with practical features like the curved wood spring that acts as a double cushion when combined with a mattress. This helps disperse body weight to minimize pressure on the waist and back. It can also be disassembled easily for more convenience when moving from one space to another. Additionally, the independent barrel- shaped springs have been individually wrapped with non-woven fabric so that each coil moves separately to enable the best hardness for sleeping position.
What happens during the day affects your sleep
Your need for sleep accumulates over the course of the day, depending on when you woke up and how much energy and effort you used up. If you make sure you stay active during the day and move enough you have a better chance of sleeping well at night. Stress is another sleep killer and while you can’t completely avoid it, you can always do the things that help bring your levels of it down. Take a walk, call a loved one or just meditate before you go to bed so you slip under the sheets in a better mood. Use an aroma diffuser before bedtime with a calming scent like lavender to signal to your brain and body that it is time to slow down.
What you can do: Improve your well-being, boost energy levels and promote good sleep with MUJI’s range of aroma diffusers. The device uses ultrasonic waves to vaporize water and desired essential oil in the tank to produce a cool, dry, fragrant mist. The diffusers come in different sizes to suit various spaces including a portable version. It is flame-free, making it safe for use around children and pets and while you sleep.
Sleep is how you live
Your choice of pillow, bedding and the amount of light in your bedroom are all factors that will affect the quality of your sleep. Invest in high-quality pillows for sweet dreams. You can even consider switching out your duvet in the winter and summer for the right amount of tug or warmth.
What you can do: Choose a pillow that lets you sleep a third of the day. There are several options at MUJI. The Feather Pillow uses waterfowl feathers which are light and maintain volume. It is characterized by the comfort of a soft enveloping feel around the back of the head. The Urethane Foam Low Repulsion Chip Pillow is made from the perfect blend of low-sinking low-rebounding urethane and high-rebounding urethane having moderate elasticity. Or you can opt for the Polyester Pillow which uses hollow polyester wadding for the stuffing, and has a light and soft feel. It is fluffy and comfortable to use.
Enjoy your sleep
Sleep should be enjoyable and your bedtime routine should reflect that. Slipping into comfy pajamas will signal to your brain that it is time to relax. Soft comforters and bed sheets will improve your experience. High-quality cotton will keep you cool and comfortable all night long. What you can do: Prepare for those cozy, chilly evenings at home in the comfort of flannel pajamas.
MUJI pajamas are designed to be tag-less and seamless to avoid tugging and discomfort, and to aid in better sleep. They’re made from 100% organic cotton and brushed on both sides to ensure that worn-in feel from the start. When you are asleep your body is touching more than your PJs, your duvet needs to be perfect too. The Natural Linen Thin Duvet Cover is made from a blend of linen and eucalyptus- derived Lyocell making this duvet cover naturally cool and smooth against the skin. MUJI bed linen is made of high-quality material; a soft touch that invites you to a pleasant sleep.
Visit the MUJI store in Phase 2, Grand Avenue – The Avenues and Al Kout Mall. For more information, follow MUJI on Instagram @mujimiddleeast.
