Pamper Yourself This Valentine’s Day with Restorative Sleep

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and love is in the air. And if you’re under the impression that this is purely romantic holiday, we’re here to disrupt the narrative. Friends, family, lovers, pets, yourself, Mother Earth – we’re celebrating love in all its glorious forms this year. Who doesn’t LOVE love?

And whether you're married or single, in a relationship or playing the field, Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to show some love to the most prominent person in your life ... you!

As organic mattress makers, we at Naturepedic are in the business of Safe Healthy Sleep™, so here’s our Valentine’s gift to you: six tips for pampering yourself this Valentine’s Day with luxurious, restorative sleep. Read on!

To answer this question, let’s break it down. Consider the definition of self-love: having a high regard for your own well-being and happiness. Now, consider the function of sleep – your mind and body rely on sleep for restoration and recovery.

If you have a high regard for your own well-being, you prioritize quality, restorative sleep to nurture your body; if you have a high regard for your own happiness, you prioritize quality, restorative sleep to nurture your mind. Sleep is self-love in practice. In fact, a lot of people who are in very fulfilling relationships choose to sleep alone because they value sleep that much.

The best way to improve your sleep quality is to practice good sleep hygiene: habits and practices that are conducive to sleeping well on a regular basis. Here are a few practices that fall under that umbrella … and double as luxurious ways to pamper yourself this Valentine’s Day.

Getting ample exercise is known to alleviate sleep-related ailments. (Bonus points if you can get outside and give your circadian rhythm a boost!) And among the many positive effects it can have on your life, yoga has especially proven to be an effective sleep aid.

Yoga can help you work out your physical and mental stresses and create a better balance between those two selves – the physical and the mental. And a peaceful mind generally begets better sleep. Interested in trying it out? Try these yoga poses at home for better sleep!

Valentine’s Day has practically become synonymous with a day devoted to chocolate. And we love it! But, if you’re looking to improve your sleep quality, chocolate may not be the way to go.

Diet and sleep are intertwined: sleep deprivation can disrupt appetite-related hormones, causing cravings and overeating. On the other hand, a poor diet can decrease the amount of quality, restorative sleep you get. Sugar and caffeine are both major sleep no-no’s … sorry chocolate-lovers!

Looking for something sweet? Fruits like kiwis, bananas and cherries can help you sleep better and still satisfy that sweet tooth (bonus points if your produce is organic!). And instead of caffeine later in the day opt for a cup of chamomile or passionflower tea. Fatty fish and turkey are heartier options with sleep-aiding properties, and walnuts and almonds are great options to snack on. There’s something for everyone! (And don’t be too hard on yourself – a box of chocolate on February 14th is good for the soul.)

Around Valentine’s Day, you’ll find much of the world awash with pink … why not throw in pink noise, too? That’s right: sound has many colors beyond the oh-so-familiar white noise. In fact, many sounds we refer to as white noise, such as the pitter-patter of sprinkling rain or the rhythmic crashing of ocean waves, are actually examples of pink noise.

Pink noise, white noise, whatever – colors aside, many people find that steady, quiet noise can help with falling asleep and staying asleep. If you count yourself as one of those people, gift yourself a noise machine for V-day, and let the relaxation begin.

Air quality, humidity and other factors can play a role in your sleep quality – especially during the dry winter months! We’re all about organic and natural solutions to home-related problems here at Naturepedic. So why not turn to what Mother Nature herself uses to regulate the air? We’re talking about plants!

Beyond houseplants being a more eco-friendly Valentine’s gift than cut flowers, different plants also have different air-related abilities. Is your bedroom too humid? Try an English Ivy! Too dry? A peace lily should help. Do you struggle with mold and dust mites? Opt for a snake plant. And Aloe offers a high oxygen yield at night, making it the perfect bedroom plant (just make sure you give it ample daylight).

When you’re more comfortable, you sleep better – that’s sleep-hygiene basics! So if you’re looking for a sleep-related gift to pamper yourself with this Valentine’s Day (and your partner, too!), why not invest in silky-soft organic sheets?

And, of course, when it comes to organic, you can’t get better than GOTS certified organic cotton. It’s durable, soft and grown without synthetic insecticides, herbicides and GMOs. Plus, by choosing certified organic cotton sheets, you’re not only loving on yourself – you’re loving on the planet and helping to build a cleaner, safer, healthier world.

Want to take your comfort to the next level? An organic mattress topper can transform the feel of any mattress, helping you achieve the comfort you need for quality, restorative sleep.

Comfort isn’t one-size-fits-all – and different toppers can help you achieve different mattress firmness levels! Organic latex mattress toppers come in different thicknesses and are perfect for those looking for a smooth-as-butter feeling combined with pressure-point relief. (You know, that “ahh” feeling.) Organic wooly toppers can give your mattress that pillow-top feel, while also helping your body regulate temperature for all-season comfort. No matter what you choose, remember: certified organic is best!

Self-love matters all year long, not just on Valentine’s Day. But if you’re looking for a sign to transform your life with better sleep, this is it! And if you’re looking to take the next step, the Naturepedic blog is the perfect place to find year-round sleep tips for yourself and your whole family.