Wool and Wellness: How to Sleep Better with Wool
High up on our very formal list of ‘Things We Dislike Greatly’, you’ll find a bad night’s sleep (along with socks falling down inside your shoe). Tossing and turning through the night because you’re too cold, too hot, or not comfortable enough can make us irritable, stressed and tired.
“But how can we sleep better!?” we hear you say. Don’t worry, we got this covered; literally.
Wool is a miracle material when it comes to having a great night’s kip, and it’s even been scientifically proven that sleeping in wool reduces the time needed to fall asleep, lessens your total wake time and results in less broken sleep.
Sleeping with Wool
As a brand made up of hardcore nappers and lovers of sleep, we know a thing or two about making our slumber as restful as possible.
By adding wool to your nightly routine - either by sleeping under or on our blankets - you’ll drift off faster and deeper than if you were using cotton or polyester bedding. This is because the natural fibres of wool are temperature regulating, which keeps you cool when you’re warm and warm when you’re cold! As your body isn’t spending any extra energy in keeping your body the right temperature, you can focus on a cosy, uninterrupted sleep.
Should I use blankets instead of a duvet?
That’s completely up to you! When the weather is warmer, a duvet can be restricting, and it’s been proven that sleeping under wool in hot conditions can help you sleep for longer.
If you’re looking to improve your sleep, our Lambswool Blankets are naturally insulating, breathable, hypoallergenic and not to mention super soft.
Wool in effect acts like an extra layer of skin, so the fact it’s breathable means any moisture your body produces through the night is wicked away keeping you safe and snug. It’s entirely your choice whether you add a woollen blanket underneath your duvet as an extra layer, use it on top of your mattress as a base or ditch the duvet entirely and get cosy under your wool.
Benefits of wearing socks to bed
Temperature in the bedroom is integral to the rate at which we fall asleep - if you’re too warm or too hot, it might just take more than counting sheep to help you drift off. Even with the thermostat set to a respectable temperature, according to The Sleep Foundation, our body’s core temperature drops in the evening ready for bedtime.
Wearing a pair of socks to bed doesn’t just complete a stylish pyjama ensemble, it can help the cool-down process quicker by increasing blood flow to your feet. Research shows that wearing socks to bed can help you fall asleep quicker and stay asleep for longer - and who are we to argue with science?
So if socks help you siesta, woollen socks are sure to work all kinds of magic. We’d recommend cashmere socks for the best possible night’s rest, which are soft, lightweight and perfect for keeping calm and comfortable throughout the night.
Wool vs Polyester
Wool is a wonderful, natural fibre and has a multitude of health benefits, particularly when it comes to sleeping. Polyester on the other hand is a synthetic fibre, and is made from plastic yarn.
Sleeping on polyester sheets can be a sweaty affair, as the moisture your body naturally produces through the night can’t be wicked away by the fabric, which makes you hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. Synthetic fibres are also treated with harmful chemicals that can affect your long-term health and are bad for the environment.
How many blankets should I use for my baby?
We’re so glad you asked. Lambswool is great at aiding sleep for anyone, but in particular can really help when putting your baby down for the night. You only need one, good quality lambswool blanket for their crib, pram or for when you’re out and about to keep your little one the perfect temperature.
Find out more about the amazing benefits of wool for babies here.
Better sleep habits
Sleep is more important than we think - consistently getting a bad night's sleep can affect your memory, mood and even weaken your immune system. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’re properly resting when it comes to your bedtime routine.
Woollen blankets are a natural solution to improving the quality of your slumber, and in turn can increase your productivity, exercise performance - and who ever woke up from a great night’s rest in a bad mood? Whether you sleep on, under or wrapped-up-in wool, the results speak for themselves.
Want to find out more about bettering your sleep? We recommend the Matt Walker Podcast, which you can listen to here.
