AD: This post is in conjunction with TEMPUR® but all thoughts are honest and my own.
One of the best things we can do for our mental health is to get a good night’s sleep, yet it’s one thing many of us neglect to do or struggle with. Regular readers know that I’m guilty of going to bed late and not getting enough hours of good-quality sleep. I then find it negatively affects my health, mood and productivity the next day. When TEMPUR® invited me to explore the ways in which the practice of mindfulness and gratitude could improve the quality of my sleep, I immediately agreed as I really do want to work on this and break my bad sleeping habits. Read on to find out how you can be kind to your mind with TEMPUR® and improve your sleep with bedtime journaling too.
- Improve Your Sleep with Bedtime Journaling
- Visiting the TEMPUR® Store Bridgend Designer Outlet
- TEMPUR® Store at Bridgend Designer Outlet
- A Pillow Consultation at a TEMPUR® Store
- About TEMPUR®
- Pillows for Side Sleepers
- TEMPUR® ORIGINAL PILLOW MEDIUM
- 30 Day Pillow Trial
- Spare Pillow Covers
- Bedtime Journaling
- My Bedtime Journal Writing Prompts
- Has my Sleep Improved?
- Invest in a New Pillow, Invest in Yourself #BeKindtoYourMind
Improve Your Sleep with Bedtime Journaling
Researchers found that those who journal for 20 minutes per day see fewer stress-related issues, reduced blood pressure and an overall improvement in the immune system. Therefore, TEMPUR® challenged me to journal each night before bedtime. They also invited me to an in-store consultation with a mattress and pillow expert at a TEMPUR® store, to help me choose the perfect pillow for my needs. This is one of the necessities for a good night’s sleep.
Visiting the TEMPUR® Store Bridgend Designer Outlet
I used the Store Appointment Booking System to book an in-store pillow consultation. This was quick and easy to do. It’s such a good idea when making a big purchase for a new mattress or pillow to visit a showroom. If you’re unable to visit, they have lots of advice on choosing a new pillow online and an opportunity to speak to a sleep expert by telephone too.
TEMPUR® Store at Bridgend Designer Outlet
My nearest TEMPUR® store is at Bridgend Designer Outlet. I enjoy shopping here as there is a large selection of shops, good facilities (including free parking and a play area for the kids), many places to eat and even a cinema to watch a film as a treat before you head home. It was looking particularly nice during my visit as it was all decorated for Christmas. I grabbed a coffee and then headed to my store appointment.
A Pillow Consultation at a TEMPUR® Store
I was a little bit worried about my appointment as it was my first time testing pillows – I wondered, would I have to lie on the bed? Should I take my boots off first? Thankfully, I met with Shane, who was lovely and soon put me at ease. He told me about TEMPUR® and the different pillows available. Shane asked me a few questions about my current mattress and my sleeping style. He then recommended some pillows for me to try as a side sleeper. Yes, I did lie on the bed to try different pillows. Yes, I did take my boots off- I didn’t have to but I wouldn’t feel right having shoes on in bed. It was a useful and pleasant experience, nothing to worry about at all.
About TEMPUR®
Before my visit, I knew that TEMPUR® are a highly regarded brand for mattresses and pillows. The people I know who use them, won’t use any other brand. During my visit, I discovered that TEMPUR® material is used to make mattresses and pillows that evenly distribute weight and pressure, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep. Its proven pressure relief gives your body total comfort and support, reducing tossing and turning and absorbing motion from your partner so you are less likely to disturb one another. I find it fascinating that this all came about based on NASA technology. Today TEMPUR® are recognised by NASA and certified by the Space Foundation, which I find very impressive.
Pillows for Side Sleepers
In a TEMPUR® store, you can try all the mattresses and pillows. All TEMPUR® pillows are suitable for side sleepers. So, it’s all about finding the one that feels most comfortable to you. After trying a number of pillows, I found the TEMPUR® COMFORT PILLOW CLOUD and TEMPUR® ORIGINAL PILLOW (in Medium) most comfortable for me. They kept my sleeping posture just right. Shane was so patient with me as I kept going between these two pillows to decide which one felt best.
TEMPUR® ORIGINAL PILLOW MEDIUM
Both pillows were so comfortable. I eventually decided on the TEMPUR® Original Pillow in Medium size. It’s contoured from solid TEMPUR® material for uncompromising neck support and firmness. Its unique shape ensures it follows the natural curve of your body. This ergonomic design helps align your spine for comforting head and neck support. In the past, I’ve always slept with more than one pillow under my head. Whenever I felt uncomfortable, I thought the solution was to add another pillow At the age of 42, I have discovered that instead I just needed one good pillow. It’s so much comfier and I never wake with neck pain anymore.
30 Day Pillow Trial
TEMPUR® are so confident their pillows will give your head and neck the support you need for a great night’s sleep that they’re willing to let you try one in your own home for a full 30 nights. If you find it’s not right for you, it’s straightforward to return it for a full refund. I did think it would take me a while to get used to sleeping with a lower, contoured pillow. However, the TEMPUR Original Pillow is so comfortable, I’ve been happy with it since my first night’s sleep and still am.
Spare Pillow Covers
The TEMPUR® Original Pillow comes with a removable washable cover. You can also buy spare covers for when one’s in the wash. Although the 100% cotton fitted cover is recommended, of course, you can put your own pillow case on this pillow, so it matches your bedding too.
Bedtime Journaling
I have spent the past month sleeping on my lovely new pillow and journaling before bed each night. You could use a journal if you wish, but I bought a notebook to write in. I started off looking for journal prompts to inspire me. However, I found that at bedtime, when I’m tired and preparing to sleep, I see a blank page and open-ended essay question prompts and find it quite intimidating.
After a few nights, I discovered that writing in bite-sized points was more appealing to me. One of my prompts was 5 things I was grateful for. In the past, I have written daily gratitude lists so I started to do this again. As well as writing about things I’m grateful for or five positives about the days, I also found writing about my worries or negatives from the day helped me sleep better too. I think this is because as I’d got the worries out on paper, they no longer had to randomly pop into my head while I tried to fall asleep. Lastly, I read that studies have found that people fall asleep faster and more soundly when they write a to-do list so I started to write this too.
My Bedtime Journal Writing Prompts
Therefore, instead of using different writing prompts, I’ve settled into a routine of each night opening my journal every day and writing the date then:
- 5 things I am grateful for
- 5 things on my mind today and
- 5 things to do tomorrow
You can do whatever works best for you.
Has my Sleep Improved?
During this challenge, I’ve found my sleep has improved. I don’t want to leave writing my journal until too late as then I know I’ll feel too tired to write. Therefore journaling encourages me to get ready for bed and settle to write my journal earlier. We all know that a set routine helps us to sleep, my body has learnt the routine now that after journaling, it’s time to relax and get to bed. Writing down my gratitude list, helps me to remember the positives of the day. This makes me feel happier about my life in general.
Writing down five things on my mind helps me to pinpoint what I am worried about at the moment. Otherwise, I often feel generalised anxiety that I can’t do anything about. Writing down specific points means I can see where to take action to relieve stress in my life.
Speaking of which, the to-do list follows nicely from this as it reassures me that there are actions I can take to deal with the worries on my mind.
Altogether this means, I go to bed feeling a lot calmer and in control of my life and feelings than in the past. This, combined with using an ergonomic pillow means I’m sleeping better than ever. I am definitely going to replace all our household pillows with TEMPUR® pillows gradually. I’m also tempted to buy myself the travel-sized version of the Original pillow so I don’t have to make do with an ordinary pillow during my next travels. Shane says he even has TEMPUR® pillows in his campervan now as he never sleeps without them- that’s proper glamping!
Invest in a New Pillow, Invest in Yourself #BeKindtoYourMind
I’ve always been told by older and wiser people that the most important purchase in your home is a good mattress, as good sleep is vital to us humans. I’ve now decided that it’s important to invest in a good pillow too. We need to get a good night’s sleep and be kind to ourselves and our minds. There are three easy positive steps we can take to do that:
- Make an appointment to visit a TEMPUR® store to choose the right pillow for you.
- Buy a notebook or journal and start journaling at bedtime.
- Go to bed at a reasonable time to ensure you get enough sleep (it’s recommended that adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night).
Do you journal at night? Do you find it helps you to sleep better?
I think I might try journaling before bedtime as I currently find it tricky to cut off from work
Author
Give it a go. Hopefully, it will help you to calm your mind before bed xxx
I will try to ban technology before bedtime and read a relaxing books instead
Author
That’s a good idea xxx
Need to buy some more blankets, I keep getting cold
Author
Yes, important to stay warm and cosy too. I’m glad the weather has “warmed” up a bit, I struggled in that frost last week xxx
The journal would be great for my niece who has insomnia.
Author
Hopefully bedtime journaling will help her xxx
Try and switch nearly all technology off before bed, but play some relaxing and soothing music
Author
Oh yes, relaxing music is a good idea too xxx
I often forget but I do find bedtime journalling so therapeutic and beneficial when I make the effort to do it.
Author
Yes, it really benefits when you make the effort xxx
Sleep is so precious – well worth trying these tips
Author
It is! Something we all need to prioritise xxx
It’s crazy how the right mattress and pillow makes all the difference to a good night of sleep. I have a tendency to sleep late and wake up early too which is awful. Will need a better night time routine
Author
It really does. Me too- there’s too much to do in the day, but I do try hard to go earlier xxx
This is a brilliant idea! I must try writing in a journal before bed!
Author
Try it and let me know how you get on xxx
I’ve been journalling since 2007, and I find it helps so much with clearing my mind and allowing me to sleep.
Author
That’s amazing. Have you kept them all? It really does clear your mind xxx
I quite like the idea of writing things down last thing at night, it maybe will clear my mind.
Author
Definitely give it a go. Otherwise worries can whirl around your mind, writing them down can really help to calm them xxx
I find reading helps me sleep
Author
Yes, reading helps me sleep too. I often drop a book on my head once in bed lol xxx
That pillow looks amazing
Author
It is-it’s really great. I never ever through I’d sleep with just one pillow. xxx
Nice idea, never thought of journal before
Author
Thanks. It’s good to do xxx
No technology before bed and using a pillow spray
Author
Great ideas. I love a lavender pillow spray xxx
I never knew such service existed to help you find your perfect pillow. I always struggle to sleep on certain pillows but I never knew why. I always prefer firm ones but I guess I should really see a specialist to help me find a pillow that suits my sleeping behaviours so I am not damaging my back
Author
Yes do it, they’re so helpful xxx
An interesting post. Voicing or writing gratitudes is a really positive way to end the day.
Author
It really is xxx
Good post – i always think about journalling but never get around to it!
Author
We all have the best intentions lol. Hopefully one day, even if you just try it if you feel particularly anxious or worried before bed one night xxx
A great idea, I will definitely try a journal
Author
Good, hope it helps xxx
I haven’t a clue whether I am a side sleeper or otherwise. Definitely time to pay more attention to how I sleep and what to do when I can’t.
Author
That’s interesting! Which position do you settle down in to try to sleep? xxx
I’m going to stop using any devices such as phone, laptop at least an hour before bedtime
Author
That’s such a good idea to do xxx
Tempur products are wonderful and I have a pillow that is fantastic.
Author
Brilliant- I wish I’d tried one sooner xxx
I like to be cosy in bed warm, But not to hot. NO tv or phones. And recently had a new bed & pillow.
Author
Lovely. I like to be warm and cosy too xxx
A lavender bath
Author
Oh yes, love a lavender bath xxx
I’m trying to identify all the issues that are causing me problems with my sleep so I think using a journal would be helpful. I’m also looking for new ways to switch off before bed to help me relax more.
Author
That would be such a good idea. Hope it helps xx