60 | CANADIAN LIVING NOVEMBER 2019
Stop stressing about it
“Often we mistakenly think that we have to
have a certain number of hours of sleep per
night,” says Mograss. “Thinking this way
often results in stress and anxiety that may
result in disruptive sleep,” she says. It’s true
that you need between seven and nine hours
of quality rest per night, but exactly how
much you require to function at your best is
individual. Worrying about frequent night
waking or ruminating about having trouble
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worse. Understand that you are able to func-
tion even when sleeping for slightly less time
than is optimal. Not sure if you’re getting
enough zzzs? Start a journal, noting sleep
and wake times and how you feel in the
mornings, as well as throughout the day,
to determine your magic sleep number.KonMari your sleep space
People who snooze surrounded by clutter
may be more likely to have serious sleep
complaints, according to research published
in the journal Sleep. To create a snoozing—
and soothing—oasis, ensure your bedroom
is tidy, as well as dark and cool (most sleep
experts peg a temperature of between 15°C
and 19°C as the ideal) and free of disruptive
noises. Some people like total quiet, while
others prefer the whir of white noise to mask
unwanted sounds, such as street noise. (Tip:
Sleep with the hum of a fan and you get the
ERQXVFRROLQJH̆HFWWRR Sleeping near your dog can
be both comforting and relaxing,
which is bound to help you
snooze better.
THAT’S SO
DREAMY!
SET THE STAGE FOR A GREAT
NIGHT’S REST WITH THE ULTIMATE
SLEEP ACCESSORIES.A comfortable mattress and
pillows with just the right firmness
are essential, but don’t forget about
your linens. A set of crisp cotton
sheets will keep you cool and
comfortable all night long.- Queen size Cool Supima SHEET SET, $180, casper.ca.
An essential oil blend containing
valerian—a herb prized for its
calming effects—will usher you
off to dreamland. Add a few drops
to a diffuser and plug it in next
to your bed to help create a
more restful atmosphere.- Dream State Restful DIFFUSER BLEND, $19, saje.ca.
One of the pioneers in sleep wear-
ables has a new device, loaded with
advanced health features including
a sleep score system to give insights
into sleep patterns. The smart
wake alarm will gently rouse
you from your slumber during
light REM sleep, so you wake up
feeling more refreshed.- FitBit Versa 2 Special Edition Health and Fitness
SMARTWATCH, $280, bestbuy.ca.
A slow sunrise simulation will help
you wake more naturally and feel
more refreshed when it’s time to
get out of bed. Add your choice of five
soundscapes to help gently rouse you
from your slumber. (It sure beats the
bleeping of a traditional alarm clock.)- Wake-Up LIGHT, $158, walmart.ca.
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