Sleep, a word so distant at the back of the minds of mums, let alone a working mum or a mum to a newborn! We crave for it and let out a yelp of joy when we get to ‘sleep in’ for just another two minutes. Yet so much literature has been written on how mums should unapologetically prioritise their sleep and that insufficient sleep doesn’t mean we get more hours, it just makes us even more unproductive and affects our health.
World Sleep Day hosted by the World Sleep Society since 2008, is celebrated annually to celebrate sleep and call to action on poignant issues regarding sleep. Its focus is to alleviate sleep problems on society by tackling ways to better prevent and manage sleep disorders. This year’s theme is ‘Regular Sleep, Healthy Future’, highlighting that sleep is paramount towards staying healthy, for mums, for everybody.
According to Dr. Lourdes DelRosso, co-chair of the World Sleep Day 2021 Committee, “the focus on regular sleep for 2021 is based on the benefits that regular sleep offers.” To put it simply, regular sleep equates to standard bedtimes and rise times, which brings about positive outcomes like better temperament, alertness, and overall well-being.
So how do you achieve regular sleep with work calling 24/7, handling kids plus running the household simultaneously? The key is to have a consistent sleep schedule and understand that sleep plays a crucial role in bodily functions. Less regular sleep would mean more adverse health issues. The World Sleep Society recommends to fix a bedtime and awakening time as well as to avoid excessive alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods before bed. It also suggests to use comfortable bedding, find a suitable temperature setting for sleeping and keep your room well-ventilated.
That being said, there is a whole range of natural sleep aids and even an award-winning app that can help you wind down, doze off a little easier and stay asleep a little longer. Here are our top picks!
Emma Mattress
The Emma Original Mattress provides you with the optimum amount of body support, pressure relief and comfort with its latest foam technology. Plus, it comes with an affordable price tag. This three-layered mattress core adapts to any body shape to align your spine, so you sleep happier in any sleeping position imaginable. The high-quality foams work together perfectly to distribute all pressure evenly across the entire mattress. As well, the foam is made from natural materials with an innovative layer that wicks moisture away so you’re kept cool throughout night.
Sova Pillow Cases
Nothing feels more luxurious, indulgent, and in turn, mentally relaxing as sleeping on silk. Much has been said about a whole host of benefits of silk bedding that includes helping your skin retain moisture, prevent wrinkles, reduce bed head and split ends, is naturally hypoallergenic, and regulates temperature. SOVA pillowcases are made with luxurious 100% pure high-grade 6A mulberry silk with a thickness of 22 momme to provide the ultimate combination of shine, thickness, softness and durability. Mulberry silk is naturally hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive sin or anyone suffering from allergies. The silk fibre are coated with sericin, a protein that repels dust mites – a major source of allergic irritation. Sericin also makes silk resistant to mould, fungus and bacteria.
Heavenluxe
Made of 100% Austrian Tencel that is even more comfortable than 1700 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, Heavenluxe 100% organic, hypoallergenic and eco-Friendly sheets is a must-have for the most relaxing sleep and is even said to alleviate stress. This bedding is perfect for our hot and humid weather as the material is ultra-breathable and keeps your body cool. Austrian Tencel is also said to be anti-aging and so gentle even on baby’s skin.
Use promo code MUMMYFIQUE50 for a $50 discount on select bundle sets and sheet sets.
Sova Lullaby Sleep Spray
Calm and soothing spritzers to set the tone and atmosphere at bedtime is always the best way to prep for a night’s rest. SOVA’s Lullaby Sleep Spray is made with a calming blend of lavender, vetivert and white chamomile to help direct you into a calmer state of mind for improved sleep quality. Vetivert is an adaptogenic herb that promotes and maintains the health of the nervous system and when paired together with lavender and white chamomile, is great to use before bed to while the day’s busyness away. Simply spray your pillow before bed to fall into a deep sleep and wake up feeling fresh, energised, all set to welcome the day ahead!
Sleebbee
Sleebbee was founded by a Singaporean mum who faced sleep issues due to backaches and her growing belly during her pregnancy days. She was determined to find a set of soft and breathable quality pyjamas for Singapore’s weather, but those she found were either satin or cotton which still gave her night sweats. What to do when you can’t find exactly what you need? Innovate your own! Sleebbee was born. Made from sustainable premium bamboo fabric that is highly breathable, soft and anti-odour, Sleebbee’s mission is to give women the sleep they deserve, empowering them to achieve more, with less. The pyjamas is double-stitched so that it is durable enough to wear daily and of course, roomy enough to house the growing belly of mums-to-be!
Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Melatonin Sleep Soak
After a long day, head home and treat yourself to Dr Teal’s Pure Epsom Salk Melatonin Sleep Soak that’s formulated with Melatonin, Pure Epsom Salt plus calming Lavender and Chamomile essential oils to relieve your sore, achy muscles, and release tension so that you get a better night’s rest. How to use it? Simply pour at least 2 cups of the Sleep Soak under warm, running bath water. Immerse yourself (or just your feet!) for 20 minutes and let the rich minerals soak away discomfort. Breathe in the lovely lavender scent to soothe your body and mind. Great to use as a daily bedtime routine to ease off all tension of the day as prepare to rest. There’s even a kids’ version too!
Sova Eye Mask
Light disrupts our internal biological clock that regulates our wake-sleep pattern. Exposure to artificial light suppresses melatonin and may lead to sleep issues or disorders such as insomnia. The way to work around this is to use an eye mask that blocks out artificial light by acting as a shield.
SOVA’s mulberry silk masks are made from the highest grade mulberry silk to provide you with the most comfortable beauty sleep yet. This one-size-fits-all eye mask delivers anti-aging benefits as it doesn’t tug at delicate parts of the face like around the eyes. It’s easily machine-washable in an all-silk only load so that the integrity of the silk is maintained.
Calm App Sleep Stories
Named the 2017 iPhone app of the year by Apple itself, Calm promises to help users sleep better, boost confidence and reduce stress and anxiety, all with the help of guided meditations, soothing music, and bedtime stories. This app is regularly updated and is ability to track basic statistics, like the number of consecutive days used, minutes meditated, and number of sessions. There are also meditation reminders sent to your phone or tablet, mood tracking over time, and even offers masterclasses taught by experts in the wellness field. Available exclusively in the Calm App, Sleep Stories are soothing tales that mix music, sound effects, and incredible voice talent (by celebrities too!) to help you drift off into dreamland.
