For many of us, falling asleep should be as simple as getting into bed. The journey to dreamland isn’t so straightforward for those struggling with sleep comfort issues. If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the ceiling, tossing and turning, and wondering, "How to Make Your Bed More Comfortable?" you’re not alone. This blog will explore the underlying causes of sleep discomfort and offer easy tips for creating a cozy sleep environment to fully relax at night, fall asleep easily, and wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free.
Investing in a fluffy duvet is one way to make your bed cozier. Yumerest's cloud-like fluffy duvets can help you create the supportive sleep environment you need to finally relax at night and get the restorative sleep you deserve.
Why Can't I Get Comfortable in Bed?
Are allergies keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep? Waking up stuffy or with a headache is all too common for allergy sufferers, especially those with dust mite sensitivities. Dust mites thrive in warm, moist environments like your mattress and bedding, where they can feed off all the dead skin cells that accumulate while you sleep.
If you or your partner is allergic to these critters, you may tossing and turning throughout the night as your body reacts to their presence, leading to poor sleep quality and increased discomfort.
Light Disrupting Your Sleep? Here’s How to Block It.
Is your room too bright at night? Any light from the outside, a nightlight, the television screen, or your blinking alarm clock tricks your body into thinking it’s not sleeping time. Even if you think you can sleep through the light, chances are it’s affecting your sleep cycle and overall quality of rest.
Try blocking outside light with blackout curtains, covering or turning away any lights emitting from electronics around the room, and using tape to cover the glow from your alarm clock.
Temperature Issues? Here’s How It Affects Your Sleep.
Some nights, you’re too hot; other times, it’s too cold. Sleep is induced when you rest and your core body temperature lowers. If your heat is too high (or too cold, for that matter), your internal thermostat fluctuates, leading to restless sleep.
Aim for a cooler temperature around 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal comfort. You can also achieve a better temperature balance by using breathable sheets and a mattress with cooling properties.
Noise Disrupting Your Sleep? Here’s How to Block It.
There’s the 5 am garbage truck variety that’s impossible to ignore. But when it’s too quiet, the slightest disruption can reach epic proportions, and you focus on that weird hum or dripping faucet.
Either way, you need a way to soundproof your sleep. If you can’t eliminate the noise, consider using a white noise machine or a fan to cover up disruptive sounds. You might also try earplugs to help you tune out the distractions so you can get back to sleep.
Ill-Fitting Mattresses Keeping You Up at Night? Here’s How to Find a Better Option.
The vast mattress market may seem to offer endless choices, but not all are tailored to cater to the unique physiological needs of the elderly or handicapped. A mattress advertised as “the softest” or “the most supportive” can still fall short when addressing specific pain points, pressure sores, or mobility concerns.
For example, a person recovering from surgery may need a mattress that allows them to sink in for pressure relief, yet is still firm enough to provide support for easy mobility. A good option may allow for adjustable positioning to enhance comfort further. Shop around for a suitable replacement instead of settling for your current model.
Mobility and Positioning Challenges Affecting Sleep Comfort.
Age and health conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis can often limit one’s ability to move freely. This restriction poses a significant challenge in bed, where finding a comfortable position can become a nightly struggle.
Arthritis, for instance, can make every turn or adjustment feel agonizing, while post-operative recovery can limit movement drastically. For many, simply getting into and out of bed becomes a task that demands considerable effort.
Psychological Factors Affecting Sleep Comfort.
Beyond the physical, the mental aspect of sleep cannot be ignored. Anxiety about falling off the bed, worries about getting up after lying down, or simply distress from persistent discomfort can keep us from achieving deep, restorative sleep.
Recognizing and addressing these multifaceted challenges is crucial. It’s not just about finding a temporary fix. It’s about seeking a comprehensive solution that considers both sleep’s physical and psychological facets. With modern innovations, there’s renewed hope for achieving this balance.
Related Reading
- Why Are Hotel Beds So Comfortable
- How to Make a Bed Look Luxurious
- How to Make Your Bed Like a Hotel
20 Tips for Creating a Comfortable Sleep Environment
1. Buy Quality Duvets and Pillows
There’s a reason many people obsess over thread count. Comfortable sheets can mean the difference between deep sleep and lying awake all night because the bed is too hot or itchy. A cozy comforter or duvet can also make sleeping feel more luxurious, even if you’re at home and not staying in a five-star hotel.
There is no one-size-fits-all material for bedding. Figuring out how to buy bed sheets means considering your unique needs and preferences for factors like breathability and material. Bamboo, linen, and cotton sheets are generally soft and breathable, while flannel sheets are warm and perfect for cold winter nights.
Yumerest PureFlow: Where Heritage Craftsmanship Meets Sleep Science
Yumerest's PureFlow Duvet transforms your bedroom into a luxurious sanctuary. Its exceptional 5 kg filling envelops you in cloud-like softness, promoting deeper, more restorative sleep. This premium Canadian duvet stands apart from competitors like Happy Fluffy Cloud and Hush through its ethically sourced northern down, which perfectly regulates temperature year-round—never too hot, just perfectly cozy.
Crafted by expert artisans with techniques perfected since 1946, our duvets combine traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation for an unparalleled sleeping experience. The PureFlow bundle, featuring our heavenly duvet, elegant cover, and calming sleep mist, creates a complete sleep sanctuary that helps busy professionals and parents finally achieve the rejuvenating rest they deserve. Get deep sleep every night with our cloud-like fluffy duvets.
2. Reassess Your Mattress
If you can’t get comfortable in bed and your mattress is showing signs that it’s on its last leg, it’s time for a new one. Mattress support and comfort layers naturally wear over time, ultimately creating a platform that causes aches and pains, which makes achieving a good night’s rest nearly impossible.
3. Invest in a Good Mattress Topper
If a new mattress isn’t in your budget, try a mattress topper. A mattress topper is an extra layer of foam, typically about 2 to 4 inches thick, that you can place over your mattress.
There are many mattress toppers, from gel-infused memory foam toppers that cool down hot sleepers to pillowy toppers that can make a firmer mattress much softer. Whether you want to make your mattress softer or firmer, there is a mattress topper for you.
4. Invest in a Pillow Made for Your Sleeping Position
The pillow you’ve slept with for the last three years may not support your head and neck, causing you to toss and turn at night. Choose the right pillow for your sleeping style so the upper part of your body is comfortably aligned.
Here are some tips for each sleeping position:
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Back sleepers: Choose a soft and flat pillow for your head, and stuff a pillow under your knees to bring yourself to a neutral spine position.
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Side sleepers: Choose a firmer, taller pillow to keep the side of your head comfortably elevated. You may also find comfort in placing a pillow between your knees.
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Stomach sleepers: Use a thin pillow so your face doesn’t feel muffled, or consider sleeping without one.
Make sure you know how to sleep properly on your pillow to make yourself more comfortable.
5. Get a Body Pillow
Body pillows are popular among moms-to-be who may need a little help sleeping during pregnancy, but you don’t need to be pregnant to enjoy the benefits of a good body pillow. These giant pillows provide side sleepers additional support and comfort by offloading pressure from their:
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Hips
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Shoulders
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Back
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Neck
Body pillows are also an excellent solution for people who snore or suffer from sleep apnea, as they can elevate the head and neck for a safer and more comfortable breathing position. They’re also useful for people recovering from surgery or an injury that requires them to sleep in a position that would otherwise be uncomfortable without the added support.
6. Keep Your Mattress and Bedding Clean
There’s nothing better than climbing into fresh, crisp sheets at the end of a long day. If your bed becomes uncomfortable, think about the last time you refreshed your bedding. Dust mites, pet dander, and even odorous stains can exacerbate allergies, keeping sleepers from enjoying a restful night’s sleep.
Sleep tip:
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Wash and change your linens at least once weekly to remove these particles, breathe easier at night, and sleep more comfortably.
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Vacuuming and cleaning your mattress every three to six months is also recommended.
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You should also wash your pillows at least once or twice a year.
Banish Stains and Smells with These Everyday Pantry Staples
For spills, stains, and deodorizing your mattress, there are plenty of cost-effective home remedies to try separately, like:
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Lemon juice
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Borax
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Vinegar
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Baking soda
7. Try Mattress Protectors
Thinner than a mattress topper, a mattress protector is a thin, water-resistant layer that fits on top of your mattress like a top sheet. These machine-washable covers are designed to keep dust, dirt, and liquids from penetrating your mattress, so you don’t have to worry about vacuuming your mattress as often.
While a mattress protector won’t make your bed softer, it can prevent skin irritation and allergies by keeping allergens from building up inside your mattress.
8. Flip or Rotate Your Mattress
If you want to make an old mattress firmer without spending a dime, try flipping or rotating it first. Mattresses naturally sag and become uneven over time, but flipping and rotating them regularly can help them wear more evenly. This also lets you sleep on the side with less wear and sagging, making for a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Be sure to check with your mattress manufacturer first. While most can be rotated, not all mattresses are flippable. Most polyfoam and innerspring mattresses can be flipped, but mattresses with pillow tops and most hybrid, memory foam, and latex mattresses are one-sided only.
9. Set a Screen Curfew
I know it’s hard for all of us. Why? Each time we scroll through Instagram or watch one more episode on Netflix, we activate the dopamine reward centers in our brain. These centers are constantly seeking and always want more, even against our better judgment.
It takes practice and commitment, but power down all your devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime for quality sleep. The blue light emitted from our devices lowers melatonin by up to 50%.
10. Reduce and Time Your Caffeine Intake
Caffeine takes approximately eight hours to leave your body, so that mid-afternoon cup of joe may keep you from falling asleep at night. As a result of falling asleep later, you’ll wake up groggy and sleep-deprived. This vicious cycle will have you reaching for more caffeinated beverages to keep you going through the day.
Sleep tip:
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Limit your caffeine consumption to morning hours so you don’t feel buzzed and unable to sleep by bedtime.
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Consider gradually reducing your caffeine intake, such as going from two cups to one cup daily.
11. Don’t Eat Too Close to Bedtime
Food activates your digestive system. If you eat a full meal late at night, your muscles will be too busy metabolizing your food instead of resting, which may make it harder for you to fall asleep. Some foods can help you sleep better, but eating them well before you lie down is best.
Sleep tip:
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Experts suggest eating a heavier lunch earlier and a lighter dinner.
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This gives your body the fuel it needs, keeps hunger pangs away, and allows you to digest your food fully before bed.
12. Set a Consistent Bedtime
By going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time every day, you train your brain to release melatonin and your body’s internal clock to “kick in” naturally as the hour approaches. Your body will adapt over time, allowing you to hit the ground running as soon as you wake up.
If you don't know when you should go to sleep, try using a sleep calculator to set your ideal sleep schedule.
Sleep tip:
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Set an alarm to remind you when to start your bedtime routine.
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Give yourself one or two hours before falling asleep to wind down.
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For example, if you need to fall asleep by midnight to get my eight hours, get ready for bed by 10 or 11 p.m.
13. Try Light Stretching and Meditation
If you have sleeping problems, light stretching might help you drift off more quickly. Stretching improves your blood flow, which helps your body release the tension that’s built up throughout the day so you can relax and settle into your bed more comfortably.
Meditation is another pre-bedtime practice that can help you nod off faster. If you often struggle to sleep because you’re preoccupied with the day’s events or random thoughts, mindful meditation can help you clear your mind from distractions.
Sleep tip:
Try a meditation app for guided practice designed to help you fall asleep faster.
14. Change Up Your Pajamas
What you wear to bed, like your sheets, can affect how comfortable you are. The right pajamas for you ultimately depend on your sleep patterns and environment.
Some of the most common and preferred pajama materials based on sleeping patterns are:
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Hot sleepers:
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Bamboo
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Cotton
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Polyester
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Micromodal
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Linen
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Satin
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Silk
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Cold sleepers:
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Flannel
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Knit
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Wool
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Fleece
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Frequent movers:
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Bamboo
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Satin
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Silk
Your pajamas and sheets should complement each other to avoid annoying clinging or tangling as you move throughout the night. If you move around in your sleep, avoid loose pajamas that bunch, pull, or ride up.
15. Try a Weighted Eye Mask
Weighted eye masks distribute weight equally across the face and eyes to promote relaxation. Similar to weighted blankets, they use deep pressure relief to help relieve head and facial discomfort from migraines or sinus infections.
By sleeping with an eye mask, you’re also creating a pitch-black environment to encourage sleep. Double-check with your doctor before using a weighted mask, as they may not be safe for those with some eye conditions.
16. Install Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains aren’t just for baby nurseries and night-shift workers. If you can’t get comfortable sleeping with an eye mask, you can darken your bedroom by hanging blackout curtains over your windows.
This can make a huge difference, especially during summer when the sun rises early and sets late.
17. Heal Your Gut, Heal Your Sleep.
We have 400x more melatonin in our gut than in our brains. In addition, the bacteria in your gut also interfere with this key sleep hormone. Eating a diet rich in prebiotic foods and high in sleep nutrients is essential. Potassium, for example, helps us stay asleep and can be found in avocados.
Magnesium helps us fall asleep, and 80% of us are chronically deficient! This is one of the few nutrients I recommend supplementing, as foods don’t provide adequate amounts.
18. Time Your Workout Accordingly.
When we work out, cortisol is naturally produced. To mimic our natural cortisol curve, working out in the morning to sleep better is best. Even if it’s just for 5-10 minutes, doing a rebounder or a few rounds of weights can have a profound impact. Or try to get sunlight between 6-8 a.m., as this helps make cortisol drop lower at night.
19. Change Your Sleeping Position
Changing your sleeping position can improve your sleep quality. Though many people find sleeping on their side more restful than any other position, it’s not necessarily comfortable for everyone. You first need to figure out whether you’re a side or a back sleeper. If you’re a side sleeper, try sleeping on your back instead.
This can be uncomfortable initially, but it often leads to better sleep quality in the long run. If you’re a back sleeper and wake up with aches or pains unrelated to your mattress, consider changing positions again. You may be used to sleeping on your back, but it might not be ideal.
20. Try Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is an ancient form of healing that uses essential oils to promote relaxation. To begin with, find a scent you love and stick with it. You can experiment with different blends, but it helps if you start with one that makes you feel good immediately.
Once you’ve found something that works for you, use it to trigger your sleep routine. Light some candles and apply your favorite oil when you get into bed. This will help train your brain to associate these activities with falling asleep and make them easier to do on autopilot later.
Related Reading
- What Kind of Sheets Do Hotels Use
- What Are the Softest Sheets You Can Buy
- What Material is Best for Bed Sheets
- Types of Cotton Sheets
- Types of Bedding
- Down vs Down Alternative
- Top Luxury Bedding Brands
Get Deep Sleep Every Night with Our Cloud-like Soft Fluffy Duvets
Look at your bedding if you’re struggling to get comfortable in bed. Duvets and comforters can trap heat and disrupt sleep, especially if they’re filled with synthetic materials or low-quality down.
Instead, invest in a luxurious duvet like Yumerest’s PureFlow Duvet. This high-quality Canadian duvet features an exceptional 5kg filling made of ethically sourced northern down that regulates temperature for ultimate comfort. It creates a cozy, yet breathable sleeping environment that will help you get comfortable so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
