Read our hot tips for a cold-beating good night’s sleep
We’ve all been there, it’s been a wet wintery day and when we finally jump into bed hoping to get a good night’s kip we find ourselves tossing and turning due to a stuffy nose, headache and just generally feeling under the weather. Getting a good night’s rest can prove to be a challenge when you’re full of cold but we’ve compiled a few top tips on how to combat seasonal snuffles and improve your quality of sleep!
Symptoms of a cold can include a blocked or runny nose, a sore throat, headache, cough, sneezing, a raised temperature and feeling achy. The bad news is, cold symptoms are usually worse at night – when lying down the mucus cannot drain in the same way as it would when we’re stood up. However, getting a great night’s rest shouldn't be forfeited just because you’re feeling terrible. In fact, sleep is more important than ever at this time to ensure you rest and recover. With this in mind, we’re going to dive right into our top tips on how to sleep better with a cold…
1. Bath and bed - a nice, warm relaxing bath is just what the doctor ordered. A bath not only gets you in the relaxed mindset, but also can help alleviate any aches and pains
2. Scents for the senses - essential oils such as lavender, peppermint or eucalyptus can help to create a calming, relaxed atmosphere. Lighting a scented candle or dropping in some essential oils into your bath can get you bed-time ready. Try Epsom salts with eucalyptus - they soften the water and the soothing vapours will help clear your nostrils
3. Steam up the shower - whilst a bath can be relaxing, a shower is a good way to help with congestion as the steam can unblock your nose and help to loosen any mucus in your chest.
4. Sayonara to screen time - Whether you’re full of cold or not, it’s no surprise that tapping away on your tablet stimulates the brain, so we recommend shutting off the TV and putting your phone and tablet down around an hour before bed
5. Decongestants - there’s nothing worse than hitting the hay and finding you can’t breathe properly due to a stuffy nose. If a hot, steamy shower hasn’t done the trick, a nasal decongestant can be used for short term relief. Please note though nasal decongestants aren’t recommended for longer than 3 days. And check with your pharmacist if you’re using them on young children
6. Gargle with salt water - a traditional, non medicinal way to help relieve a sore throat. Mix 1 tsp of salt into a glass of warm water, stir it so the salt dissolves and then garage away.
7. Stack ‘em up - when laying down, mucus can build up in your throat and nose, causing an unpleasant and unsettling coughing throughout the night. Instead, try stacking your pillows to raise your head when sleeping as this can help mucus drain away and alleviate congestion
8. Avoid alcohol - whilst it may be tempting to enjoy your favourite tipple in order to help make you sleepy, alcohol is actually a diuretic which in turn can lead to dehydration. We recommend swapping your choice of alcoholic beverage with a soothing peppermint tea, not only is it naturally caffeine free but it’ll help settle any tummy troubles.
Sleep your way to wellness.
Maybe you’re overdue a new mattress. Dated, lumpy old mattresses can make drifting off into a peaceful slumber a difficult task. If it’s time to overhaul the way you sleep, we offer a fantastic selection of memory foam mattresses in a range of sizes and firmness ratings so there’s something to suit every sleeper. Furthermore, all of our mattresses are British made and come with a warranty. If you do choose to replace your mattress, why not check out our quick-read guide on the most eco-friendly ways to get rid of your mattress. The bottom line is, whilst cold symptoms can last 7 - 10 days, with our top tips you can hopefully get that much needed nights rest and sleep your way to wellness.