How to rest well, wherever you are

We all know that sleep is essential for health and wellbeing. And yet, due to factors such as stress, disruption to routine, or simply being too busy to prioritise rest, many people still struggle to get the recommended 7-9 hours per night. In fact, 8 in 10 UK workers feel like they don’t sleep enough. The impact of these lost hours adds up, leading to 200,000 working days lost in the UK each year as a result of poor sleep.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. With a few sensible steps, we can get UK employees sleeping better, even when they’re on the road. Here are three steps you can take, no matter where you’re sleeping, to help ensure your night is maximally restful.

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1. Choose your bed (and bedding) wisely

The average person will spend around 33 years of their life in bed, so it makes sense to choose the most comfortable, supportive bed you can. New mattresses have been shown to improve sleep quality by up to 60%, and picking the right level of firmness for your needs can help to reduce common issues like back pain. So, if you’ve been putting off buying a new mattress, now might be a great time. The same goes for bedding, which can help to regulate your body temperature throughout the night, leading to higher quality sleep.

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2. Create a restful environment

Your bedroom should be the most relaxing room within your home. And when you’re travelling for work, your hotel room should feel like a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of a busy trip. While preferences may vary, there are a few things you can do to foster a peaceful bedtime environment from anywhere. If you prefer to sleep in complete darkness, look into blackout blinds or curtains, or get yourself a comfortable eye mask to sleep in. If you find yourself struggling to switch off your whirring mind, try playing white noise from your phone or laptop, or indulge in lavender-scented body care products – like our new Baylis & Harding toiletries, created to promote sleep.

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3. Wind down before bed

Taking the time to wind down before bed is crucial, but it’s easy to let a busy schedule get in the way of some all-important relaxation. Ideally, everyone would be able to set aside an hour or so to step away from the screens and do something restful, like reading a book, or doing some light exercise such as yoga. In particular, hot showers can help to calm your mind before bed – which is why Premier Inn standard rooms come with power showers, and Premier Plus rooms with rainfall showers, perfect to wash away the stress of the day.

But, understandably, modern life doesn’t always allow for time to pause – particularly on busy work trips where you may be out and about until bedtime itself.

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On these occasions, we recommend you cut back on caffeine, and try not to drink alcohol or eat a large meal too soon before bed – all of which have been linked to reduced sleep quality. It’s also important to try to stick to your normal schedule if you can. If you tend to go to bed at 11pm and rise at 7:30am when you’re at home, do the same when you’re working away, and avoid napping earlier in the day if you can help it.

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Let’s prioritise sleep

With those tips in mind, it becomes possible to put sleep first, even during busy periods. Better sleep is linked to feeling happier and achieving more at work, so empowering your employees to get the recommended 7-9 hours of quality sleep is a great way to unlock their potential.

Want more ways to sleep better?

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October 2023

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