Even though it can seem counterintuitive, a warm (caffeine-free) drink as part of your bedtime wind down routine can really help to set you up for a good night’s sleep. We recommend Cool + Calm Tea (£11.99, 50g) from Forage Botanicals , a brand dedicated to supporting menstrual health. This tea combines four herbs known to support the nervous system and cool heat and inflammation, including cooling peppermint, and sage, a phytoestrogen that can help relieve hot flushes. Also, lemon balm, a cooling herb traditionally used as a nerve tonic, and lemon verbena, known to help reduce stress. Once boiled and brewed, you could drink it cold if you prefer.
Forage Botanicals Cool + Calm Tea, £11.99 If you feel too hot to have a bath before bed to help you drift off, a shower can be just as good at helping you unwind. Especially if paired with relaxing scents. Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Mind Bath & Shower Oil (£48) is like no other. The delicious fragrance has incredible abilities to melt away tension. Try cupping your oiled hands over your face an inhale deeply a few times while the water is running. We guarantee you’ll feel better afterwards.
Aromatherapy Associates De-Stress Mind Bath & Shower Oil, £48 Do you struggle to sleep without a blanket no matter how hot you feel? The Sleep Dohar (£135) is the bedding for you. A dohar was traditionally used by Maharajahs in India to keep cool during sweltering nights. This one is weighty enough to feel cosy and beautifully crafted in three layers of super soft voile cotton, which makes it breathable and acts as a natural temperature regulator. It sounds so simple, but it really works! Our testers fell in love with this blanket. Use it as a lightweight coverlet in place of a top sheet or duvet in summer. And you can use it as an extra layer in winter. It’s sustainably sourced and handmade ethically by artisans in India, available in a choice of stunning colours and designs.
Shades of London Sleep Dohar, £135 Experts agree that screen time disrupts our sleep, and mindfulness helps – the only problem is most of our guided sessions are on our phones or tablets. Enter Morphée (£79.99), a non-digital sleep and meditation aid that contains 210 audio sessions to gently lull you into total relaxation and deep sleep. Genius! Designed in collaboration with experts on sleep and sophrology (a relaxation therapy) you can choose from a range of themes and techniques, including nature sounds, visualisations, guided breathing, body scan and more.
Morphee non-digital meditation aid, £79.99
