Every year when the clocks turn back, many people experience confusion within their internal body clock which can make it really difficult to fall asleep at night. However, you don't have to live like this forever. Believe it or not, there are ways to embrace the cold, wintry nights; here are a few hints and tips to enhance your night sleep!
1. Start a nightly self-care routine
It’s important to allow yourself time to relax before you lay in bed trying to fall asleep. Pamper yourself with some soothing skincare, and light a therapeutic candle. If you’re not allowed candles in your student accommodation, try an oil diffuser; this allows you to swap out multiple scents based on how you’re feeling. A personal favourite for this time of year is the ‘Salted Caramel and Vanilla’ scented home fragrance oil from the Body Shop (retailing at £4)- it fills a room with a subtle scent of festive baking, which helps me feel cosy during the evening!
2. Reduce screen use before bed
This is very common (almost cliché) advice but it truly works! Resisting the urge to scroll endlessly online and avoiding checking notifications can be incredibly hard, but social media will only keep your mind active and awake. Try distracting yourself in a way that doesn’t stimulate your mind to the point of you find it difficult to sleep such as reading a book or listening to a podcast. Reduce any harsh lighting in your room. This bright lighting confuses your mind into believing that it's daytime and not time to be going to bed. Give yourself an hour free each night, where you can try reading (nothing university-related though!), making a hot, comforting drink, listening to soft music or maybe even watching some ASMR.
3. Give your mind a break from uni
Most students experience difficulty shutting their minds off from university work and life stresses. Remind yourself: you are allowed a break and you don’t have to think about university every minute of the day. University assignments and work will be waiting until tomorrow, and they're not important enough to sacrifice your night's sleep. You’ll probably be more productive the next day if you have a good night rest anyway.
Ultimately, it’s about trying things out and discovering a routine that works for you. There’s no formula that works for everyone so make sure to listen to your body until you find what makes you feel content and cosy on these wintery nights.
Edited by Tia Xiourouppas