How to get the best sleep of your life: discover five genius sleep hacks that really work!
Folks used to call it "beauty sleep", and now they're called it "sleepmaxxing". If Gen Z vernacular continues to confuse and astound you (because, same) - welcome to the Gathered guide on sleepmaxxing. Turns out, it's actually super useful for your bedtime routine.
Ignoring your inadequate sleep schedule can effect you massively in the long run. According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep affects your "heart and circulatory system, metabolism, respiratory system and immune system" as well as "how well you think, react, work, learn, and get along with others."
Sleep to the max with Emma's 10th anniversary giveaway
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Emma Sleep are offering you the chance to grab free items such as pillows, duvet and protectors (worth up to £337). Be quick! The giveaway ends on Wednesday March the 23rd.
What is sleepmaxxing?
Sleepmaxxing as a concept is all about optimising your sleep, so that when you put your head down at the end of the day, you can get the most effective rest for your health. There are five key factors to sleepmaxxing that we will uncover today, including products like mattresses and weighted blankets, and lifestyle hacks too.
(Psst!) Limited time deal: get an extra 5% off using discount code SLEEPDAY5
The five steps to sleepmaxxing
1. A personalised mattress
Much like the Princess and the Pea story, nothing is worse than going to sleep on a mattress that just feels... wrong. Therefore, your first port of call when it comes to sleepmaxxing is finding the right mattress for your body.
- A hybrid airgrid mattress is for sleepers who want superior body cradling, pressure relief and thermoregulation.
- A hybrid thermosync mattress is for warm sleepers who suffer from night-sweats & light sleepers who value uninterrupted sleep.
- A memory foam mattress adapts and moulds itself to the shape of your body for targeted spinal alignment, ultimate pressure relief and body-hugging comfort. You can also a grab a free cloud pillow worth £80 with this memory foam mattress.
- A steel spring core mattress is the most affordable option and has three-body-zone springs that work independently, absorbing and isolating movement to prevent it from spreading across the mattress.
Take your mattress quiz now
2. A weighted blanket
If you often experience the vicious circle of anxiety when your head hits the pillow, a weighted blanket will help you fall asleep relaxed. It provides gentle pressure stimulation to reduce stress and offer a cosy, hugged feeling all night long. You can upgrade with a 100% bamboo version, helping you regulate your temperature while replicating the softness of silk.
Shop the weighted blanket here
3. A sleep tracker
Gathered team member Nancy Hingston is a fan of using sleep tracking to optimise her rest. She told us: "I wear a smart ring, and it's learnt, based on my sleeping habits, when I should be winding down for bed and also when I should aim to be asleep by. I've found by using a sleep tracker, I can make sure I get the right hours of rest for my body."
Related: 'Good sleep can be re-learned' How to improve sleep with this science-backed hack
4. A surprising one... mouth tape
Whilst the concept of taping your mouth shut at night might confuse you at first, it turns out it can help REM sleep. Helping reduce snoring and mild sleep apnoea (if you're a mouth breather at night), this in turn leads to a deeper and more effective sleep. Just make sure to test a session of tape out during the day to see if it feels comfortable for you. Sleep apnoea can be a sign of more serious health conditions, so make sure you consult a doctor before trying mouth taping.
5. Sleep-inducing supplements
Perhaps the most famous supplement known to help sleep is magnesium, thanks to its ability to activate your calming parasympathetic nervous system. Other supplements that help sleep are melatonin, malerian, L-theanine (found in green tea – decaffeinated!), ashwagandha, and 5-HTP. Try each out and introduce them slowly to your routine.
Why choose Emma Sleep?
Emma Sleep is a highly-celebrated bedding and mattress brand with over 35 awards received in the UK so far. For example, the Emma Original Mattress was the Best All-Foam Mattress winner at the Sleep Awards 2024. They have a ton of promotions on right now, including their 10th anniversary giveaway, so it is worth having a browse.
