THE clocks have gone back an hour and it can cause chaos for some people.
It can lead to disrupted sleep patterns and this deficit, in extreme cases, can impair cognitive function, decrease productivity and impact mood and mental health.
Adults should aim for between seven and nine hours a day.
Too much can be as bad as too little.
Today, I look at ways to help you get the best shut eye . . .
BARS
TEN PM is a company that specialises in products to help you get a good night’s kip.
Its new Oat & Cherry Calm bars are brilliant and since trialling I’ve bought more.
They really did help me get to sleep and stay there.
These crumbly, oaty bars are a perfect evening snack that cleverly have herbs ashwagandha and chamomile and mineral magnesium.
All clinically proven to lower stress and calm the nervous system to help with stress and sleep.
With vitamin B6 and C with oats and no added sugar, they do the job.
- £2 a bar, tenpm.co
SMART RING
NO two sleeps are equal, and finding out how much REM (when you usually dream) and deep sleep (when your brain and body slow down, repair and regrow) you get is really great when looking at your health.
Step forward the Circular Ring Slim, the “world’s slimmest smart monitor”.
As well as analysing your sleep, this looks at the steps you have taken, your exercise, energy levels, heart rate, and calories burned.
Through the app, you can also do mindful breathing exercises and even analyse your oxygen levels and set an alarm to gently wake you.
You have to use an odd USB-C contraption to charge it every day for about 30 minutes, but I like this.
Better for a man though as while it’s slim, it is quite bulky.
- From £170, circular.xyz/shop
SLEEP SPRAY
HARROGATE Organics Company’s Sleep Calming Pillow Spray is a joy to use, and it’s clever.
There are plenty of sprays on the market that can help you find slumber, but often they are full of chemicals with a pungent smell.
This is soft, fresh, comforting and delightful.
It contains hibiscus, which can stimulate the hormone serotonin in your body to help produce melatonin that can help regulate many bodily functions, including mood and kip.
There is also aloe vera, citrus and lavender oils, which both smell amazing and help with sleep, plus silk protein, which can nourish your hair and skin when on your pillow.
It makes your bedroom smell like a spa too and helped me relax and drift off.
A great multi-tasker.
- £24 for 100ml. harrogateorganics.co.uk
