The Link Between Sleep and Health

Did you know that according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, adults should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night? Surprisingly, up to 33% of Canadians aren't meeting this target, caused by factors such as chronic stress and poor mental health.

Here's the twist—sleep can actually be the solution to many of these problems. Our bodies are resilient, often masking signs of sleep deprivation as other issues. According to StatPearls Medical Journal, the most common symptom of sleep loss is excessive daytime sleepiness, but patients can also display depressed mood, poor focus, and impaired memory. This lack of sleep can also exacerbate additional psychiatric and medical conditions such as OSA, obesity, hypertension, depression, anxiety, etc. Even if you're clocking in enough hours, poor sleep quality can still leave you feeling exhausted.

The need for self-care and productivity can make it tough to prioritize sleep, but it's crucial for a balanced lifestyle. Sometimes, self-care looks like getting an early morning workout in, and sometimes, productivity shows up as remaining plugged in so we don’t miss anything. Whichever path you choose, sleep will help you achieve your ideal lifestyle and more importantly, help you decide more accurately what you need during busy periods.

The worldwide estimated pooled prevalence of poor sleep quality is about 57% and of excessive daytime sleepiness is about 33%. (Curr Sleep Med Rep.) No matter your age, curating a high-quality sleep environment should be one of the first things on your home priority list. Here are five ways to improve your sleep habits, according to each sense:

SIGHT

Dim the lights before bedtime. It can be hard to put your phone away, especially when you’ve been waiting to scroll through TikTok or read a book on your Kindle. Switching to Night Shift mode on your devices will help to reduce your late-night exposure to blue light, allowing for a more restful sleep. 

SOUND

Play some calming music or set up a white noise machines. Listening to sleep stories or a meditation before bed can help tap into all of the senses, leading you to properly unwind from your busy day.

SMELL

Use essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to relax. Utilizing a beautiful linen spray is a nice way to incorporate these into your evening routine. We like these! According to Front Neural Circuits medical journal, the “reciprocal interaction between sleep and olfaction presents novel opportunities for sleep related modulation of memory and perception, as well as development of non-pharmacological olfactory treatments of simple sleep disorders.”

TOUCH

Create a cool sleeping environment by investing in a mattress that regulates temperature. Helping to maintain that temperature will reduce the amount of tossing and turning that you do. Take inventory of what you’re laying on, reflect on based on how you sleep (your side, back, or stomach), and find a mattress that supports your body best. Finally, a part of your sleep that is often overlooked is your pillow—we especially love latex options.

TASTE

Opt in for a warm, caffeine-free beverage to wind down. Coffee and black teas are a no-go, as they will have the opposite effect.

If you’re looking to refresh your sleep routine this spring, you can visit our showroom to get a feel for our mattresses, smell our natural linen sprays and see what products you're missing in your sleep system. We’ll be there to walk you through our crafting process and answer any questions that you may have along the way.