Preparing for Longer Nights: Tips for Quality Winter Sleep

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, our natural circadian rhythm begins to shift. During this time of year, it’s important to strike a balance between total hibernation (no matter how tempting it may be) and getting enough zzz’s to keep you energized through the darker days.

Read our expert-backed advice for sleeping soundly in wintertime:

1. Create a Cozy Sleep Sanctuary

With the sun setting earlier, your bedroom becomes even more central to your well-being. So why not make it as comfy and cozy as possible? 

• Upgrade your bedding: Flannel sheets, a down duvet, and oodles of throw blankets and cushions will bring the warmth and comfort your body craves when the temperatures drop.
• Layer smartly: Opt for breathable sheets made from natural fabrics like Bamboo Cotton or TENCEL™ Lyocell to balance your temperature throughout the night. 
• Embrace your inner designer and craft a space that you love the look and feel of, with a Canadian-designed duvet cover that will make your bed a work of art.

2. Embrace Evening Rituals

Use your extra time at home to establish a luxuriously long and relaxing wind-down routine.

• Dim the lights an hour before bed, and get cozy in a soft bathrobe and chenille sherpa slippers.
• Sip on a warm, caffeine-free tea or take a hot, candlelit bath. Try taking spa time to the next level with sumptuous silk accessories and luxury modal cotton towels.
• Tuck in to a soothing hobby and read a book, do some yoga, or listen to calming music.

Once you’ve built your perfect routine, your body will associate these cues with bedtime, making it easier to fall - and stay - asleep.

3. Adjust for Seasonal Temperature Shifts

Cooler temperatures can help you sleep more soundly, but be careful! Being too cold can make it difficult to sleep.

• Keep your bedroom between 15–19°C for optimally cozy-yet-cool sleep.
• Switch out your lightweight duvet to a warmer duvet (we recommend our Canadian-crafted down duvets for winter), and keep a cozy blanket or quilt at the foot of your bed if you need some extra help balancing your temperature. 

4. Control Your Light Exposure

With less daylight, it’s easy to feel sluggish, especially during darker mornings and evenings. 

• Salute the sun early in the day: Open your curtains first thing in the morning or even take a short walk outside. Try to do the same thing midday, to energize your body and give your mind a dose of daylight.
• Limit blue light at night: Put away your screens at least 30 minutes before bed.

5. Stay Consistent With Your Sleep Schedule

It can be tempting to hibernate when the nights get longer, but oversleeping can leave you feeling at best a little groggy or at worst like a bit of a zombie.

• Stick to the same bedtime and wake time every day, even on weekends.
• If you need more rest, aim for consistent rather than irregular naps.
• Consider a weighted blanket, which can help you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper, so you wake up feeling refreshed. Bonus: Weighted blankets can help reduce any anxiety and sadness brought on by the changing seasons!

Fall and winter are an invitation to slow down, rest, and reconnect with your natural rhythm. So embrace it: With the right bedding and the right routine, you can turn every night into a chance to recharge and wake up ready to tackle the day.

At QE Home, we design more than bedding — we design better nights for every sleeper in every season. For expert advice on sleeping soundly throughout the winter, visit one of our 70+ store locations to talk to a Sleep Stylist in person.