Written by our Co-Founder, Shea Morrison
Autumn is my favourite season. The days start to get a bit shorter, the air is crisp but not too cold. Living in Australia we still have beautiful warm sunny days and cooler nights and mornings. This season creates the perfect setting for a sense of comfort, warmth and reflection. Cooler nights, cozy beds and an excuse for a cup of tea before bed are some of the reasons that autumn is the best season for sleep!
It’s hibernation season,
animals around you have started preparing for their long winter’s nap which seems like proof that autumn is a prime sleeping time. As the animals scurry around preparing for the months ahead, try to take their cure and use the changing seasons as an opportunity to slow down and focus on restorative rest.
Embrace the shorter days,
with less daylight comes more prime sleep hours. It’s hard to get yourself motivated for bed when the sun is still shining but when it’s dark out, crawling into bed is downright irresistible. Take advantage of longer nights by powering down earlier than usual and aiming to jump into bed at an earlier hour than usual. Your mind and body will thank you.
Cooler nights
but not too cold.. the drop in temperature means that for a few months you can sleep with the windows open without concerns of overheating or freezing to death. Sleeping with the windows open allows air to circulate freely in your bedroom and helps your body cool down and settle into a restful slumber. This allows air to circulate freely in your bedroom and helps your body cool down and settle into a restful sleep. If you’re looking for a figure, for the optimal sleep, the best bedroom temperature should be between 18 – 22°C.
Hygge (cosy time)
is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood or coziness and comfortable friendliness with feelings of wellness and contentment. This is the perfect season to snuggle up with a warm blanket and mug of tea which just so happens to be an excellent way to unwind before sleep. Engaging in night time routines helps prepare your body for sleep and allows you the chance to decompress before tucking yourself in for the night. Try taking a warm bath with soothing bath bomb or a couple drops of essential oils, drinking a herbal tea, curling up with a real book, or listening to a guided meditation. It is important that you steer clear of devices and screens at least 1 – 2 hours before bed as studies have shown that the light emitted from screens can suppress the release of night-time melatonin, a critical hormone in your body’s circadian rhythm.
Allergy season is on hold,
Summer is awesome but not so awesome for allergies that seem to go hand in hand with the warmer weather. Pollen, mould and dust are rampant during the warmer months. Usually, autumn means that we can finally take a break from the antihistamines and endless tissues and breathe easier. The number one benefit to this switch is sleeping better. It’s hard to sleep when you’re congested and uncomfortable so having clear airways goes a long way when it comes to getting a good night’s rest.
If you’re ready to start creating your autumn routine, you might like to start by making sure your sleep space is set up for a deep sleep or exploring our Sleep Kits to find what suits you.
For even more sleep tips, advice and support, join our closed Facebook Group, The Goodnight Community.
