The Mattress Makeover: How to Create a Sleep Sanctuary That Works For You

Ready to transform your sleep space into a haven of rest and relaxation? Discover our top tips and tricks for creating the ultimate sleep sanctuary, all beginning with the perfect mattress.

Why do we sleep? It’s simple, isn’t it? We sleep because our body and mind need to rest. The problem is that many of us aren’t giving them a restful environment in which to recharge. It could be mobile phones beeping constantly. It could be mattresses that feel as comfortable as a bus seat on the daily commute. Whatever it is, it’s clear that there are too many elements in the bedroom that make our night-time experience far too similar to our daily lives. They should be two different things.

It's no wonder our bodies don’t understand when it’s time to sleep! 

Instead, what we should be doing is trying to make our night-time surroundings as different as possible from our everyday environment. We need to build our own personal sleep sanctuary that works for us. In part, this is a psychological ‘trick’ that tells the body and mind that, when we’re in this environment, it’s time to rest. But it's more than that. By creating a space where we feel comfortable, calm, safe, and relaxed, falling asleep – and staying asleep – becomes much easier.

So what's involved in creating a serene sleep sanctuary? Well, it all starts with the right mattress…

The importance of a good mattress

When people think about what makes a good sleep sanctuary, they often think of things like soft lighting, flickering candles, big cosy cushions, and so on. And if those sorts of things work for you, then great! But it’s usually the most important element that goes overlooked: the mattress.

Why is the mattress the most important part of any sleep sanctuary? 

It’s because that’s where you’ll spend the majority of your time.

During the time you’re awake, you’ll obviously notice things like candles and lighting. And that makes them appear pretty important. We don’t often think about the mattress because when we’re using it, we’re asleep! But the fact is that we spend – or should be spending – around 8 hours a day on that mattress. That’s 56 hours a week. Or 2920 hours every year! So even if we’re not awake to fully experience it, the fact of the matter is that we spend a huge amount of time lying on a mattress. 

It’s the star of any good sleep sanctuary.

So what sort of mattress works best in a sleep sanctuary? Let’s take a look…

Selecting the right mattress

Here’s where things get a little tricky. There’s no such thing as a universally ‘perfect’ mattress for your sleep sanctuary. This is all about creating a sleep sanctuary that works for you. And, of course, what works for you might not work for someone else. The reason for this is that we’re all different. We all come in different shapes and sizes. We all have different sleep habits. We all have our preferred sleep positions. And we all have different ideas of what ‘comfort’ means to us.

Some people may prefer a firmer mattress, especially if they tend to sleep on their backs. As we tend to sink in further to a softer mattress, back sleepers can find that this creates an unnatural curvature in the spine that can result in back and neck ache in the morning. On the other hand, some people prefer a softer mattress. Especially if they’re a side sleeper. As the hip takes the bulk of the weight when side sleeping, a softer mattress can cushion the joint a little bit more than a firmer one.

What we can say, however, is that memory foam is usually a good choice for anyone looking to create a relaxing sleep sanctuary. Why? Because it’s made from a temperature-sensitive material that softens slightly and becomes more flexible when exposed to body heat. As it softens, it moulds to your own shape and sleeping position to gently envelop your body. It’s essentially like a little hug, all through the night. And really, what could be more calming and sanctuary-like than that?

The finishing touches

Once the right mattress is in place, you can begin to think about all those little extras that really turn your sleep sanctuary into a haven of relaxation. Here are a few ideas to get you started…

Make sure the temperature is correct

A sanctuary should feel comfortable, and a big part of that is ensuring the room is at the perfect temperature. Too hot, and you might feel a little sweaty and claustrophobic. Too cold, and you could feel unable to relax. As body temperature naturally drops as you sleep, your sleep sanctuary might want to be a little warmer than you may think. Experts say that the temperature of the area surrounding you should be between 29-32 degrees. They recommend setting the thermostat to a maximum of 26 degrees, and making up the rest by using blankets, duvets, and other bedding. 

Keep technology out of the bedroom

Hands up if your phone or TV is a normal part of your bedtime routine! It's very common, but there are two big problems with this. Firstly, it doesn't create a very sanctuary-like experience, which can make it harder to feel calm and relaxed. Secondly, the blue light emitted from equipment can have a negative impact on sleep quality. Research shows that blue light exposure can have a positive impact on elements such as cognitive performance, alertness, and reaction time. This is great if you’re at work – but not so good if you’re trying to rest. Try turning off devices before getting into bed. 

Keep your bedroom space tidy

You know what they say: a tidy home = a tidy mind. And there's definitely some truth in that. When we’re around a load of mess and clutter, it's difficult to see through it. It becomes harder to relax and unwind knowing there’s stuff to be done around the home. Even if you don't quite have the time or energy to keep your entire home looking spotless every day, it’s well worth making sure your bedroom space is clear. You may find it's easier to relax and fall asleep when you’re in an organised environment, rather than staring at a load of old coffee cups that need to be washed!

Eliminate non-essentials

Perhaps the most important aspect of all is to get rid of anything that isn’t directly connected to a) sleep or b) comfort and relaxation. Your sleep sanctuary is just that: a sanctuary in which to sleep. It’s not a place to work. It’s not a place to eat in. It’s a place to sleep. It’s a place where your body can rest. Your sleep sanctuary should be your way of drawing a line between daytime and nighttime. So get rid of the laptop. Get rid of the papers and documents. Get rid of the drawer of snacks. Make this your safe place to unwind and chill out, away from the hustle, bustle and distractions of daily life.