5 Essentials To Getting A Good Night's Sleep

March is synonymous with World Sleep Day, and generally as the seasons change, our body clocks experience a shift which can sometimes have negative impact on our sleep. Organised by the World Sleep Society this day aims to lessen the burden of sleep problems on society through better prevention and management of sleep disorders.

The effects of poor quality sleep are well documented. According to the NHS, one in three people suffer from a bad slumber, and a lack of sleep is commonly associated with stress, computers and taking work home.

Tiredness and irritability are the usual consequence of interrupted or a shortened night of sleep, however consistently losing sleep puts people at risk of serious medical conditions such as obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Many tips for good sleep hygiene are well-known such as room temperature, bedtime routine and blackout blinds, but it is just as important to make sure the bed provides the best night’s sleep.

As a company dedicated to building high quality beds to ensure people get the best night’s sleep, here are the 5 essentials we live by for you to sleep well this World Sleep Day and every day!

Our managing director, Garry Smith said; “As the evenings become lighter, it becomes harder for many of us to get to sleep and achieve the recommended eight hours of good-quality slumber - especially if you have the wrong bed.

“A bed purchase is a major decision. We spend almost a third of our lives asleep and it’s important to get it right. Your bed needs to grow older with you and the best beds are built to last a lifetime.”

Here are five ways The Cornish Bed Company and sister company Naturalmat can help you have a good night’s sleep for World Sleep Day and every other day of the year.

1. A comfortable mattress.

Cheap mattresses may be fine for a while, but they don’t last. Mis-formed mattresses, feeling springs through the wadding, and uneven wear all lead to discomfort, bad sleeping posture and a constant feeling of tiredness throughout the day. Naturalmat crafts pocket sprung and natural fibre mattresses by hand at their workshop in Devon, which last longer than cheaper open sprung mattresses.

2. The right mattress size.

Surprisingly, many people are in the wrong sized bed, squashed up against a partner, or forced to fold in sleep. A bed that is neither wide nor long enough will cause bad bed posture and a need to keep moving during the night. Ideally, the bed should be 10cm longer in length than the tallest person who sleeps on it. We offer a wide range of bed sizes, from Small Single Metal Beds all the way to an Emperor Bed Size, and each frame can be made bespoke.

3. A quiet bed.

A bed that squeaks every time you or your partner turns can disturb deep sleep. Whereas cheap fixings deteriorate over time and cause the bed to squeak every time you move, Cornish Bed’s signature cast knuckle joint guarantees longevity, and only grows stronger with age.

4. Breathable materials inside your bed & mattress.

A mattress needs to be able to breathe. Unbreathable materials such as memory foam or acrylic covers increase body heat and cause night sweats that keep a person awake at night. Excessive sweating is not only unpleasant, but it can also encourage mould, so choose a Naturalmat mattress which uses natural, breathable materials such as coir, lambswool, cotton and latex.

5. The right mattress firmness.

Choosing the level of firmness in a mattress is more often than not a personal preference. If partners have different preferences, choose a half and half style mattress which zips securely together.