Getting a good night's sleep is so much more than sticking to a good sleep schedule, it’s about sleeping in a comfortable environment. Your bedding quality, material and cleanliness can all have an impact on how good your night's sleep is, not to mention your actual bed and mattress itself. It’s all these factors we often forget to consider when buying a new bed or duvet cover though they have the most importance. Whilst other sleeping accessories, such as the best travel pillow, can improve our sleep on the go, what really matters when it comes to getting the Zzzs we need? We’re taking a closer look at the relationship between sleep quality and bedding below.

Bedding Material

The material of your bedding may be impacting how much you toss and turn at night, increasing your body temperature to a point where it's difficult to go to sleep or stay asleep for long periods of time. Ultimately, you want to make sure that your chosen bedding doesn’t trap any unwanted heat. Tencel, cotton, and linen are amongst the best bedding materials, all of which are strong, comfortable and durable for a comfortable night's sleep.

Time For A Wash

The less we wash our bedding, the more dust mites they contain. Therefore, the more irritated your eyes and skin are likely to become. This is particularly true if you have existing allergies or asthma, whereby your symptoms may worsen. With this in mind, it’s important to wash your bedding at least once  per week. Washing your quilt or pillows may also be beneficial but instead is only required one to two times per year.

Keeping You Cool At Night

Both your bedding and duvet impact your temperature as you sleep. For those of us who prefer a cool night's sleep, goose down duvets are an ideal choice. This is because they offer the highest air circulation compared to other duvet types, enabling moisture to easily escape for a comfortable night's sleep. In the winter, you may choose to swap your duvet for a higher tog duvet to keep you cosy. 13.5 tog duvets to 15 tog duvets are recommended for those who feel the cold the most in addition to those filled with down and feather which respond to our natural body temperatures.

Density Of Your Bedding

It’s not just your bedding that could be impacting your sleep, but your duvet too. High quality duvets tend to be heavier, promoting a deeper sleep. The material of your duvet may also impact how well you sleep. Whilst some offer breathable properties, others are made from natural fibers that may cause night sweats or an generally uncomfortable nights sleep. Selecting your duvet based on tog and feel can benefit your sleep cycle, reducing the likelihood of interrupted sleep to promote awakeness.

The relationship between the quality of your sleep and your bedding may be bigger than you think, leaving you feeling restless and tired the following day. With that in mind, the next time you head out to buy new bedding (or put your current ones in the wash), consider whether it reflects what a good night's sleep looks like to you.