Last week, Amy and I were invited to the brand new Next Home and Garden store in Cribbs’s Causeway, Bristol.
The Next Home and Garden store in Bristol is the first of its kind and focuses entirely on interior design and garden, but the store also features another first, the Next Bedshop, an area on the 31,000 sq.ft shop-floor solely dedicated to helping customers find their perfect bed and mattress.
While we received a tour of the store, we also had the chance to meet sleep expert Sammy Margo, author of The Good Sleep Guide. Sammy gave us some great tips to improve the quality of our sleep and as we all deserve a good night’s sleep, I thought I would share ten of Sammy’s top tips with you:
10 top tips to improve the quality of your sleep by sleep expert Sammy Margo
1. A bedtime routine is just important for grown-ups as it is for children. Switch the TV or laptop off, have a hot bath and a sleepy snack (more on those later) and go to bed.
2. Sleep in a completely dark room, e.g. use black out blinds, thick curtains or a sleep mask.
3. Sleep in a cool room around 16-18 degree Celsius, if possible with the window open, but not creating a draft.
4. Paint your room in a light green or pink shade. These colours have a calming effect on you.
5. Keep your room clutter free and only use it for sleeping.
6. Foods like oats, bananas or honey make a great bedtime snack.
7. Sleep with as little clothing as possible and always wear bed socks.
8. If possible, have separate duvets when sharing your bed with a partner and change duvets in summer and winter.
9. Regularly check that your pillows aren’t broken, e.g. fold the pillow and place a trainer on top of it. If the pillow bounces back, it’s good to use. If not, you should get a new pillow.
10. Replace your mattress every 8 years.
The kids test beds the toddler way
Sammy’s talk was really rather interesting and as we’re on the market for a new bed and mattress, it was very handy to get first-hand advice from a sleep expert that even celebrities like Nigella Lawson rely on. The kids didn’t find the talk half as exciting as we did, so they sneaked off for some bed testing the toddler way and look how much fun they had.
After Sammy’s talk, we were lucky enough to receive a gift card and do some shopping. I chose some Smile letters for Amy’s room and some wine stacking cups and an ice and slice dispenser, which will be perfect for homemade lemonades and iced teas over the coming summer months. I can’t wait to try it out!
What do you think about our picks? Aren’t they perfect for summer?
Disclosure: We received a goody bag and gift card at the event and were invited to a lovely lunch at Carluccio’s after the event, however all our opinions are our own.
I bought a pair of pillows with the voucher and can honestly vouch (ha!) for the pillow advice; the difference is wonderful. Both the husband and I are sleeping a whole lot better. Not doing so well on the turning off tech bit though. 😉
I got to the tip to declutter your room and I realised there is not a chance for me 😉 lovely photos x
I love Sammy Margo and that old trainer test. We went to an event with a hotel chain where she was on hand do something similar. The sight of her on a restaurant table in a hotel window splayed out showing us how to lie down was a thrill for passers by!!
Great post.
Oh was that with Sammy? I still remember you speaking about it x
Lovely photos, looks like the littlies had a lot of fun testing the beds out! Some great tips here – especially interested in the bed socks one – is that about keeping you warm? I might give it a shot because my tootsies are always chilly! x
If I remember correctly, they’re meant to keep your feet war stop you from waking up throughout the night x
You know I shall only think of people in bed naked apart from bed socks now.
Great tips.
Ooo yes! Sammy Margo is a gem, we got really good advice from her at that event Tanya mentioned. Love your picks – that kids bedding has happy Summer written all over it!
Oh yes we did indeed Annie! It was a funny one too that room :O) The video we made is my most viewed video on youtube 🙂
Love the thought of everyone now going to bed naked save for their socks!
Love your picks from the Next Store x
Yes love your picks too quite fancy the ice and slice
I think Sammy Margo may have come to Germany and witnessed the two duvet phenomenon. I remember telling two German friends that we just had one big duvet, and they were truly horrified! 😀 I love the list of tips, and would agree with everything, apart from No. 8. I hate having hot feet! 😀
I know, I was mortified when I moved here and had to go out and buy new bedding. I hate sharing a blanket though…
Great tips. Our bedroom is always cluttered, and we watch TV in it, read books and sometimes take our laptops to bed to finish off work. Does that make us naughty?
It was a really good day! I didn’t actually get a chance to talk to you though, looking after two kids and trying to shop / eat lunch is hard work!! x
I know, we should maybe all organise a day at the zoo in the summer holidays. Will be nice for the little ones too x
11 – sleep in a different house to your toddler! ;)Love the SMILE letters – totally adorable!
Haha, that’s the essential one 😉
Wow- that place sounds like some kind of DREAM! No pun intended! And love those tips – even if I HAVE already failed at number 1! *pretends not to be on a laptop late at night x
Naked except for socks eh!
Oh the girls are soooo cute!!! Lovely to see you, hon. I found that info so helpful for thinking about what I’m doing with the bedroom. I’ve just moved over to our summer duvet and may swing back to Next for some more bedsheets. I’d like to learn more about why those colours though. Maybe check out the book? x
I think a regular sleep and wake up time is really important