6 ways to shake up your sleep habits, according to a sleep expert

An interrupted sleep can have serious knock-on effects on your mood, energy productivity and general wellbeing. There is nothing worse than spending hours trying to doze off and hearing your alarm clock beep after only an hour of sleep. It's recommended that adults need an average of around 7-8 hours of solid sleep, but many of us struggle to hit that number. 

There are a number of factors that can affect how consistent and restful our sleep habits are. Here, Rob Davey, sleep expert at Snoozel Green has shares seven ways to transform your sleep.

• Keep an eye on your bedtime habits with one of the best sleep trackers

1. Try breathing exercises to switch off

"The more stimulated your brain becomes during the day, the harder it can be to unwind at night," says Rob. To calm you brain ready for bed, a simple trick to try is the 4-7-8 breathing exercise. 

Rob explains: "Exhale completely through your mouth, then close your mouth and inhale through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for 7 counts and exhale for 8 counts. Repeat as much you need to. Breathing from your belly rather than chest can help to activate the relaxation response and lower your heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels."

If that doesn't work for you, try these stress relieving breathing techniques instead.

2. Reassess your mattress

Perhaps the most obvious place to look is to your mattress. Investing in the best mattress for your needs and sleep style can have a transformative effect. "Sleeping on a mattress that is lumpy in texture can cause discomfort and result in a bad night’s sleep," says Rob. "Over years, your mattress will sag which leads to inadequate support during the night and bad sleep hygiene. A low-quality mattress forces you to sleep in an unnatural position which causes back strain." 

There are a range of options on the market. The main choice you will need to make is springs vs memory foam, but you could also venture into the world of latex – Snoozel Green makes a natural, eco mattress that combines natural latex with with organic cotton and wool fibres, and is designed to prevent the growth of bacteria, moulds, and dust mites. A new mattress might not be as pricey as you expect, either – there are regular mattress deals to take advantage of. 

3. Limit your bedroom use

In an ideal world, your bedroom should be your dedicated sleep space only. "Using your room to watch TV or eat will train your brain to view the room as social. This can lead to your brain not shutting off when you need to sleep," explains Rob. "Remove as much clutter from your bedroom and keep the area free from excess electronics and distractions. Keeping a clear space will build a strong association between sleep and the bedroom."

4. Adjust your bedtime gradually

If you've ended up in a habit of going to bed too late, it's best to try and adjust it gradually. "It’s impossible to make big changes to your sleep pattern overnight," stresses Rob. "The most realistic way is to make small changes." So if you've been going to be at 1am and you really should in bed at 10pm to get your full 8 hours, start by going to bed at 12.45am for the first few nights, then adjust to 12.30am, and so on. 

"Adjusting your sleep schedule gradually will conclude in an easier transition. If you try and force yourself too much, it will create more stress and tension related to sleep," he continues.

You could also try using a sunrise lamp in place of an alarm clock. These gradually get brighter in the morning to wake you more gently and promote a more natural sleep-wake cycle (our best wake-up light guide explains more). 

5. Watch your eating habits

What and when you eat can play a big role in how well you sleep. A diet that includes lots of fruit, vegetables and healthy fats can help you drop off faster, says Rob. He also recommends eating dinner two hours or more before bedtime, to give your stomach time to digest the food before you head to bed, and limiting your evening intake of sugary foods and refined carbs, which can make you feel more alert. 

6. Get moving during the day

"People who exercise regularly have noted that they sleep better at night. Consistent exercise improves symptoms of insomnia and sleep apnea," explains Rob. "The more strenuous your exercise, the better your sleep will be." 

Don't expect instant results though: it can take several months of regular exercise to have an impact on your sleep habits. It's also important not to work out too close to bedtime. "Try to finish workouts at least 3 hours before bedtime as your body temperature and metabolism needs time to cool down," says Rob.