We've all been there; a long day, a tiring commute and before you know it your eyes are flickering soon to be lost to the land of nod. But what is the optimum snooze? Do forty winks really boost productivity?A regular sleep cycle consists of four stages. In the first (the initial two to five minutes), we’re technically not asleep, but brain activity begins to slow down, body temperature starts to drop, muscles relax and eyes move slowly from side-to-side.
We lose awareness of our surroundings but we’re still easily jarred to wakefulness. If you’ve ever been woken just as you were dozing off and claimed you were only 'resting your eyes', you were likely enjoying some precious stage one sleep.Incredibly it is these catnaps that are the most restorative.
Even snoozes of six minutes (not counting the five minutes it takes, on average, to fall asleep) have been shown to make a difference in how well people retain information.
A University of Düsseldorf study showed a six-minute nap improved memory function - during stage one sleep, thoughts and mental associations loosen up so much so, that this sort of wakeful dreaming has been used by artists and thinkers to cultivate rich ideas.
But it's the 10-minute nap that produced immediate improvements in all outcome measures (including sleep latency, subjective sleepiness, fatigue, visor, and cognitive performance), with some of these benefits maintained for as long as 155 minutes. Overstep it to 30 minutes and you fall into sleep inertia, the feeling of grogginess and disorientation that comes with awakening from a deep sleep. Better set that alarm!
The relaxing products to ease you into the land of nod.
Sleep & Pillow Spray £25
Sleep Plus+ has been created to offer an even more intense aromatherapy experience. In order to enable the unique aromatherapy benefits of the sleep fragrance to work harder, thisworks has harnessed the power of microencapsulation technology: a sophisticated process which allows for a motion-activated delivery of the sleep fragrance throughout the night; every time a restless sleeper moves the fragrance is released with the same levels of potency, aiding a longer and more restful night's sleep.
In keeping with thisworks' natural ethos the encapsulation sphere is comprised of a combination of natural gums, including Acacia Senegal Gum and Xanthan Gum. While the fragrance of Sleep Plus+ remains the same effective combination of lavender, vetivert.
Faux Fur Holistic Slippers £89.00
Not just a pair of pretty slippers, Holistic Silk’s Massaging Slippers are perfect after a long day on your feet. This faux fur edition, part of the brand’s British Jade Collection designed to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of Holistic Silk, will not only sooth throbbing and aching legs, but keep feet cosy and warm, too. Let the tiny nodules inside massage your feet and soothe your whole body. The magnets embedded into the insoles aid pain relief and boost circulation, making them perfect for in-flight relaxation too.
Deep Sleep Bath Soak £22.00
Enjoy a moment of peace and tranquillity at the end of a long day. A modern twist on bath salts that will pamper the body and help still the mind. Formulated using the sleep-inducing properties of Lavender, Vetivert and Wild Camomile 100% natural essential oils. Indulge yourself with these therapeutic bath salts which moisturise the skin and fragrance your bathroom.
Holistic Silk Eye Mask £62.00
Holistic Silk’s super soft Anti-Ageing Eye Mask helps prevent facial creasing and damage to skin cells during the night. Silk does not draw moisture (or expensive night creams) from the skin so helps to retain hydration, and the unique design rests lightly above the eye socket for a perfect fit, completely blocking out all the light ensuring deep restorative beauty sleep.
All items featured are from HARVEY NICHOLS
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