Moving house is an exciting time, but it’s also mentally and physically exhausting. So, with that said, sleeping should be easy, right? Wrong. Many people find that sleeping in a new bedroom is anything but straightforward.
Insomnia in a new home is extremely common, and is often referred to as the ‘first night effect’. A combination of stress and the brain’s natural anxiety in a new environment makes it difficult to catch our regular Zs.
However, some small changes to your bedroom and behaviour can help you achieve uninterrupted sleep in your new home…
Relax and unwind
Stress directly influences the duration and quality of your sleep, so unwinding at some point before bed can have a huge impact on the quality of your slumber.
Move-in day can be especially stressful - no matter how smooth - so we recommend finding time for activities that help you unwind. Meditation, for example, has been proven to reduce stress, and a recent trial of 3,515 participants showed that meditation causes moderate improvements in stress levels.
You could also try yoga, spending time in nature by walking, or drinking chamomile tea before you hit the hay.
Avoid caffeine after lunch
Most people turn to coffee when stressed or tired, so it’s no surprise that move-in day is often fuelled by caffeine. Grabbing an extra coffee (or three) can seem a necessity when the tiredness starts to kick in, but you should try to avoid caffeine after lunchtime.
People tend to underestimate how long caffeine stays in our systems - the quarter-life of caffeine is around 12 hours, meaning it stays in our bodies for a similar amount of time. So, if you opt for a pick-me-up at 4pm, the coffee will remain in your system until 4am the following day - and we all know that’s not great for sleep…
Instead of de-stressing with coffee, reach for a glass of water or herbal tea instead, take short breaks, or even go for a quick walk - trust us, your body will thank you later!
Unpack your bedroom first
If possible, be sure to unpack your bedroom first. Creating a relaxing sleep space is key to a good night’s sleep, so take your time to ensure your new bedroom is as homely as it was before.
And, if you’re wanting to paint your new sleep space, we recommend a calming neutral shade! If it’s move-in day, ensure you paint as early as possible to avoid any lingering odours.
Get to know your new neighbourhood
Moving to a new neighbourhood can be daunting, so we suggest getting to know the area as soon as possible. Why not take a walk around and have a chat with your new neighbours if the opportunity arises?
By familiarising yourself with your environment, your brain will stop evaluating your new home as a potential danger and allow you to relax a little more as you settle in.
(Plus, it’s always nice to know where the nearest corner shop is too!)
Wake up early on move-in day
Whilst a few extra hours of sleep might seem appealing, waking up early on move-in day is a wise move. Scientifically, early morning sunlight reinforces our circadian rhythms, meaning we drift off to sleep easier later in the day.
Artificial light can stifle the effects of natural lighting on our circadian rhythms, so limiting blue light an hour or two before bed can help you sleep better.
Invest in a new mattress
Arguably, the best way to sleep is on a plush new mattress. No matter how tired you are or how much you look forward to hitting the hay, you won’t sleep well on move-in day with an uncomfortable mattress.
Here at Happy Beds, we recommend a natural mattress for the first few years in your new home. Our range includes hypoallergenic and environmentally conscious choices, as well as options that provide strong back support and natural resistance to dust, mould, and other nasties.
