BalanceOctober2016 - 41


the

guide

rebalance
Six ways to a better sleep

TOTA L DA RKNE SS
Otis Batterbee Cobalt
Cravat eye mask

S L E EP L IK E T HE E LI T E
Sleep by Nick Littlehales

Each eye mask comes infused
with a pinch of sleep-enhancing
lavender, and is designed to
completely block out light. It's
a must-have for frequent flyers
who want to sleep stylishly, but
it'll help anyone who finds it
difficult to switch off from
external disturbances and wind
down. (£50, otisbatterbee.com)

Having crafted sleep regimes for
Manchester United and Arsenal
footballers, Nick Littlehales is
something of a guru in the sporting
world. In his new book, out this
month, Nick advises on everything
from the best bedding and room
temperature, to how to achieve
optimum performance thanks to
improved sleep. (£9.99, Penguin)

WIN!

AN EVE
MAT TRESS

SLE E P SCI E N CE
eve mattress
MIND OVER MATTER
7 Days of Sleep app
If you find it hard to
switch off at night, this
programme of guided
meditations will release
lingering tensions and
give you a better night's
rest. For those new to
mindfulness, there's
a free introductory
meditation
programme.
(from £3.76
per month,
calm.com)

edia
Visit balance.m
for more
information

The coolest (literally) mattress on the
market has revolutionary memory foam
that provides support while letting air
flow through. It ensures you get the
comfort and support needed for the
best sleep of your life. We've teamed
up with eve (evemattress.co.uk) to give
one lucky Balance reader a chance to
win one (worth £349)!

RISE WITH
THE SUN
Lumie Bodyclock
Active 250
This alarm clock
mimics the sunrise
and uses light to
stimulate the body
to produce cortisol.
Sleep and wake
cycles are regulated
by light, and many
people feel less
energised and
productive during
winter when the
days are shorter.
The Bodyclock
gives you a natural
awakening, while
the audio options
make it an allpurpose bedroom
light. (£99.95,
lumie.com)

SUPERC HA RG E YOURSELF
The Human Charger
Plugging gadgets into your ears to
transmit light to your brain might
sound like something from a sci-fi
film, but Finnish scientists Juuso
Nissila and Antti Aunio's invention
does just that. The earbuds, which
look like headphones, transmit UV
-free light down the ear canal,
boosting serotonin levels
and helping you feel less
sluggish when you wake.
(£98.95, amazon.co.uk)

LO S ING SLEEP

by Bernadette Russell

I'm familiar with waking
up before the birds,
never to return to sleep,
then stumbling through
the day with a tiny,
invisible pixie tugging
at the bottom corner of
my eyelid (if you've had
a stretch of sleeplessness
you'll know that pixie).

BE KIND
at BEDTIME

I've tried all the cures:
meditation, lavender oil,
a self-imposed ban on
electronics after 6pm.

childcare or work would
normally get you up.
Have a day in bed.

F IND THE TIME

You can return this
kindness; if someone
you know just doesn't
get enough shut-eye,
offer to give them a lie in
by taking their tasks off
their hands.
If you still can't
sleep, try to rest, think
about what makes you
happy and set yourself a

HELP EAC H OTHER

But I don't think it
matters when we sleep,
as long as we do it.
So when you're tired,
if possible, sleep then.
On your days off, get
your partner /flatmate
/friend to allow you
to sleep in by taking
over whatever chores,

October 2016 BALANCE

promise to make time
for those activities.
We are under so
much pressure to
be busy, no wonder
it is hard to stop,
as if sleeping isn't
important - when it
is essential for our
wellbeing and sanity.
Sweet dreams x
bernadetterussell.com
@betterussell
Tweet your kindness
adventures #Bekind

41
http://www.otisbatterbee.com http://www.lumie.com http://evemattress.co.uk http://www.calm.com http://amazon.co.uk http://www.bernadetterussell.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BalanceOctober2016
