The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the average Singaporean’s lifestyle in every way imaginable, from the way we work to the way we play. However, what is often overlooked is the disruption of our usual sleep routines. As the stress caused by the pandemic sets in, you may find yourself struggling to fall asleep, which results in your sleep quality deteriorating.

Sleep is essential for both our physical and mental health. Not only does our body continue working to keep our organs healthy and repair our muscles during sleep, but our brain also regulates hormones to keep our mood stable. So, it’s no surprise if you find yourself feeling stressed out when you do not get sufficient sleep, especially when this issue continues to persist. If you find yourself in a similar situation, allow us to share four ways to improve your sleep quality amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Adopt a regulated sleep schedule

Working from home (WFH) is now the norm in this pandemic. As the boundaries between work and your personal life blur, you may find it challenging to sleep at your scheduled bedtime. You may find yourself scrolling through emails in bed or working on projects late into the night after procrastinating in the day.

One way to resolve this would be to work out a strict schedule that follows your lifestyle pre-pandemic. By focusing on work in the day and allowing yourself to relax at night, your body will anticipate when it is time to rest and prepare itself accordingly when you get ready to go to bed. In addition, having a consistent bedtime can help regulate your sleep schedule and ensure you get the recommended 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily. It also helps to improve the quality of your sleep and add much-needed structure and stability to your life in this chaotic and challenging time.

2. Prep your body before you sleep

While it is vital to get sufficient rest, the quality of your sleep is also crucial. So do not underestimate the importance of a good routine before you sleep!

Experts recommend a pre-sleep routine that starts 1.5 hours before your bedtime. Some things you can incorporate into your routine include dimming the lights, reading a book, or listening to some soothing music. These activities slow your heart rate and encourage deeper calm breathing. By engaging your body’s natural relaxation response, you are signalling to your body that it is time to rest.

Avoid bright screens such as the television, laptop, or phone, as they suppress melatonin and neutralise its effects. Melatonin is an important hormone responsible for regulating your sleep and controlling your sleep-wake cycle. Reduced melatonin levels can cause lower quality sleep, resulting in you feeling irritable and having poor concentration during the day as you are not well-rested.

3. Organise the space in your bedroom

A cluttered room with poor lighting will not serve your body any good. Allow natural light to enter your bedroom in the day, and dim the lights late at night. Create a conducive environment for sleep by clearly demarcating areas within your home for work and rest – so your brain will know when it is time to sleep.

It can be challenging to find a suitable place to work at home, given the reduced living space in the house. As such, we often find ourselves working on our beds, which may not always be the best idea for ensuring optimum productivity levels. Make use of smart storage solutions to free up space for a new work area without bringing in new bulky furniture.

If you require extra storage space for your belongings, you should choose a storage bed frame. Here at Four Star, our storage bed frames feature a German Hydraulic lift system which allows you to easily lift them to reveal more storage capacity for your items – all within the same space that you sleep on. Available in various materials and designs, the frames are fully customisable to suit your taste preference and bedroom style.

4. Choose a comfortable mattress with good support

Most importantly, you need a quality mattress to support your back and offer a comfortable space for you to rest in. A good mattress is not only breathable and durable, but it also helps you maintain a neutral sleeping position by accommodating your body.

Our all-new DETENSE | ArcticSilk® Advanze Aire Flex™ mattress features revolutionary Japanese technology to improve airflow and regulate the overall temperature of the mattress to ensure a cooling night of sleep. In addition, our cooling gel-infused memory foam mattress helps reduce motion transfer during sleep, ensuring minimal sleeping disruptions during the night.

Conclusion

Getting sufficient sleep significantly enhances our physical and mental well-being, as well as our ability to perform on the job. By restructuring your sleep habits and sticking to them, you can achieve optimum sleep once again and adopt a healthier lifestyle for a happier you.

If you are looking to buy quality mattresses that do not break the bank, our extensive catalogue will be able to meet your needs. You can head on over to our physical Four Star showrooms and experience them first-hand! Learn more about our mattress selections with the help of our friendly staff!