Early Owls
I used to pride myself on functioning with just four hours of sleep. Pulling all-nighters to meet deadlines or stumbling home after wild nights felt like a badge of honour—almost a flex. But as I’ve entered my mid-30s, I’ve realised that my youthful disregard for sleep was a misguided pursuit of cool. Now, the biggest flex seems to be going to bed at 9 pm.
I missed a call from my mother last night—at quarter past nine. When I answered, panicked, thinking it was an emergency at 2 am, she was more shocked than I was. “What? You used to go to bed later when you were 13? We used to bribe you to sleep! If you had your way, you’d have stayed up until 2 am every night, making collages with sellotape!” (Yes, this was a strange phase involving Boyzone.) It’s clear that while I’ve embraced the early bed trend, my past self was quite the night owl.
So why the shift? Well, I was tired—really, really tired. Tired of juggling work, chores, and a relentless stream of thoughts about everything from what to wear tomorrow to whether I’ve paid that credit card bill. It was (and sometimes still is) exhausting trying to switch off amidst the chaos, like my mind was actively trying to keep me awake with absurd questions—Would I actually enjoy a cruise?! How deep is the ocean? Does my dog need pavement shoes?! Do hamsters have toes? My body was crying out for rest, and it became clear that prioritising sleep wasn’t just about comfort but necessity.
Recent studies show the average bedtime for 18-34-year-olds has shifted from 10:18 pm in January 2023 to 10:06 pm in January 2024, with many Gen Zers in bed by 9 pm. This trend highlights a cultural shift towards valuing rest and recovery, which I fully support.
Resetting your body clock isn’t easy. It requires organisation and discipline—saying no to “just one more episode,” ditching late-night scrolling, avoiding that last email, and turning off the lights early. It’s significantly harder than one might think, but with determination and the right tools, it’s possible. I feel better, more vibrant, and energised since adjusting my sleep schedule.
Here are a few products that helped me catch those extra Zs:
Longevity Sleep Tape, £6.29 (30 strips)
Okay, I get it, mouth tape, not sexy, but hear me out. By securely sealing your lips shut with medical-grade tape, mouth taping aims to force nasal breathing, which, once I got over how ridiculous I looked, I swear improved my sleep quality and stopped me waking up at night. Others have reported significant reductions in snoring, dry mouth, and even bad breath.
BetterYou Magnesium Sleep Body Spray, £8.99
Before I head to bed, I spray my feet with magnesium spray. Magnesium plays a crucial role in muscle function, and applying it topically helps to relax tense muscles, reducing discomfort (I’ve noticed an improvement in my partner’s annoying muscle twitching that used to jolt me awake). It’s also linked to stress reduction. While I can’t fully grasp how it works, it ensures a full night of uninterrupted sleep, though it does give me some rather trippy dreams! Just a heads-up: it will eventually dry out your feet, so be sure to exfoliate and moisturise them more than usual. And don’t worry about the tingling sensation at the start—it’s perfectly normal!
Biona Organic Tart Cherry Juice 1L, £7.70
I don’t know if I’ve been experiencing a kind of Pavlov’s dog, placebo, reinforcement vibe thing here, but for the past four months I’ve been knocking back tart cherry juice as part of my pre-bed wind-down and it bloody works. As someone who can’t legally partake in the joys of THC and isn’t keen on straight-up melatonin, this cherry concoction has become my new sleep saviour. Apparently, it’s packed with melatonin, the sleep hormone, which helps regulate your sleep cycle. The only downside? It probably isn’t doing wonders for my teeth (you can get it in capsule form, but I have developed an a love of the juice.) Please try it and let me know if I’m going mad- two of my friends think I am, another also swears by it!
‘Scent To Sleep’ range by Neon starting at £9
Who knew smell could be the key to a better night’s sleep? I’m obsessed with Neom’s sleep range, and it turns out I’m not alone. 94% of people surveyed by Neom reported better sleep after using their products. From pillow sprays and bath foams to candles and balms, their blends of lavender, chamomile, patchouli, basil, and jasmine will transport you to a peaceful slumber. Plus, with loads of offers available, now’s the perfect time to indulge.
OLESILK Sleep Mask, 100% Natural Mulberry Silk Eye Mask, £15.99
Between the mouth tape, the giant eye mask, and the magnesium-infused feet, my bedtime routine is straight out of a wellness warrior’s handbook or a nightmare. Let me tell you about this eye mask. I don’t think I need to tell you how an eye mask works, but this one is like a blackout curtain for your face – it’s got thick strap that sits over your ears, blocking out the street noise I hear nightly, it doesn’t kink my hair like many other thin elastic strap eye masks, it doesn’t irritate my skin or eyelashes as it’s silky smooth and it’s incredibly well priced. What’s not to love?!
Let me know what works for you over on social (@glorioussport)
Sweet dreams!
xx
Disclaimer: I genuinely believe in the products featured here and have personally experienced their benefits! To be completely transparent, some product links are affiliate links. This means we may earn a very small commission (around 0.2%) if you make a purchase through these links. Of course this is at no extra cost to you (and we think we’ve found the best price for each item at time of publishing!)