Here at The Carlton, we know a thing or two about good sleep. We\u2019ve been helping our guests to nod off soundly for years now and we understand just how important it is for our guests to sleep well so they can enjoy their stay and have enough energy for all those adventures they want to go on here on the North Devon coast.<\/p>\n
But getting a good night\u2019s sleep is about more than just recharging our energy. Medical professionals and wellbeing experts all agree that good sleep is the foundation for a healthy lifestyle and helps us to maintain healthy body weight, improve our mental health, regulate our emotions better, build a stronger immune system, improve our ability to pay attention and concentrate, reduce our stress levels and keep our hearts healthy.<\/p>\n
When we suffer from a lack of sleep this can cause or contribute to all sorts of chronic health conditions such as anxiety and depression, mood swings, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and heart conditions.<\/p>\n
Brits are Struggling to Sleep Well<\/h2>\n
And yet, recent figures from The Sleep Charity<\/a> show that 40% of adults in the UK are having trouble sleeping. That\u2019s a huge amount of people struggling to recharge and rejuvenate. We decided to share what we know about restful slumber, and we\u2019ve also called on the local community of experts here in Devon to impart some of their knowledge too. Hopefully, if you are one of the 40% struggling with sleep issues, you can find some tips and advice here that might help you nod off more easily at night.<\/p>\n Our housekeeping team to their very best to make sure the sleep environment in our rooms is the best it can be.\u00a0<\/em>(Image credit: Becky Craven<\/a>)<\/p>\n Our personal top tip would be to make sure your bedroom is designed for sleep. First of all, remove all unnecessary clutter. Your bedroom should be for sleeping and sex and that\u2019s it. You shouldn\u2019t be working, exercising, or doing hobbies in your bedroom unless that hobby is reading or relaxing.<\/p>\n Remove technology from the bedroom too. There should be no computers or TVs in the bedroom and try to keep your phone out of your bedroom too. Late-night doom scrolling is definitely not going to help you get a good night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n Investing in a good quality bed and mattress is key. We spend hours every single night in bed and over a lifetime this equates to a third of our lives. So, we really should be investing as much as we can in a good quality bed and mattress. They last roughly seven years, so it really is a good investment.<\/p>\n Also, buy some blackout curtains. In our modern society, we are losing touch with our circadian rhythm, the natural process of our body clock that tells us when to sleep and when to wake. Technology and artificial light play a huge role in disrupting this process. Black-out curtains are a particularly useful way to signal to our bodies that it\u2019s dark and therefore time to wind down, release melatonin and prepare for sleep.<\/p>\n It’s also a good idea to think about the temperature in your bedroom. Make sure it\u2019s not too warm as this will not aid a restful night\u2019s sleep. Aim for around 18 degrees Celsius as the optimum temperature.<\/p>\n Organic cotton pyjamas from Sister Organics are a great choice of nightwear when it comes to temperature regulation (<\/em>Photo credit: Becky Craven<\/a>)<\/p>\n Natalie Estlick is the founder of Sister Organics<\/a> and she handmakes beautiful pyjamas in Dartmouth in South Devon. She recommends choosing pyjamas made from organic cotton as the natural fibres help to regulate temperature and keep us cool and comfortable during the night.<\/p>\n \u201cCotton absorbs moisture and releases it efficiently so your body remains at a balanced temperature throughout the night. Organic cotton is usually softer than conventional cotton too, so it is a dreamy combination,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Veronique Mertes<\/a> is a Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist and one of her specialities is helping people to overcome their sleep problems and restore good sleep patterns. She says that the stresses and pressures of our everyday lives are often the cause of sleepless nights.<\/p>\n \u201cOur workloads, family duties, financial situations, relationships, social connections and lack of free time are overwhelming us. Our batteries are no longer being recharged,\u201d she says. \u201cInterrupted sleep can be one of the immediate consequences of this constant overload. To repair our system and allow sleep to do its job, we need to downsize. The aim is to alleviate the load your mind is carrying.\u201d<\/p>\n (Photo credit: Becky Craven<\/a>)<\/p>\n Matt Young is known as The Journalling Guy<\/a> and he believes that journaling can have a positive effect on our mental health and physical wellbeing and can be a really good tool to help us prepare better for sleep.<\/p>\n \u201cTo help your mind release the day\u2019s stresses and get ready for a good night\u2019s sleep, you should write in a journal just before going to bed,\u201d he says. \u201cWorrying about stresses in your head causes it to become cluttered with bad thoughts and anxiety. Writing in a journal before going to bed will help you relax and leave your mind feeling at ease. This can assist your mind in shutting down quickly and falling into REM sleep,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n A face massage with natural face oil from Moksa can be a great way to relax before bed. <\/em>(Photo Credit: Becky Craven<\/a>)<\/p>\n We can\u2019t expect to stop our daily activities jump into bed and fall asleep straight away. We need to put aside time to wind down and prepare for bedtime. Chloe Osborn is the founder of Moksa<\/a> and makes natural skin care products and candles designed for self-care and me time.<\/p>\n She says \u201cHaving a regular bedtime routine or ritual makes for a restful night\u2019s sleep which can massively help with low mood, anxiety and depression. A gentle face massage with a natural face oil that contains essential oils is a beautiful way to relax and treat yourself. Then use a natural pillow spray containing lavender to spritz your space right before your head hits the pillow to finish.\u201d<\/p>\n We hope these sleep tips will allow you to create a better bedtime ritual that helps you discover dreamland and leads to restful and restorative sleep. If you need to get away to focus on sleep, The Carlton is always ready to welcome you for a sleep retreat. Simply head over to our bookings page<\/a> to check availability and book your sleep break now.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you’ve had the best night’s sleep in a hotel, maybe these expert tips will help you to recreate it at home. (Photo credit: Becky Craven) Here at The Carlton, we know a thing or two about good sleep. We\u2019ve been helping our guests to nod off soundly for years now and we understand just […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":283699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Prepare Your Bedroom for Sleep<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nChoose Appropriate Sleepwear<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"http:\/\/www.ilfracombecarlton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Commercial-photographer-Devon-becky-craven-7417-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\nClear your Mind<\/h2>\n
Start a Journalling Practice<\/h2>\n
![\"a](\"http:\/\/www.ilfracombecarlton.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Commercial-photographer-Devon-becky-craven-7207-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCreate a Bedtime Ritual<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nMorte Point, Mortehoe Village<\/span><\/h1>\r\nEnjoy a challenging walk through a rare spot of coastal heathland which provides the wonderful backdrop for a wealth of wild flowers and wildlife. \u00a0You might even be lucky enough to spot some of our infamous sealife including dolphins and seals. This wonderful dog walk will take you out into the fresh country air and really give you an opportunity to get the blood pumping with steep ascents, steps and descents to challenge you along the way. \u00a0Adventurers will be rewarded with the discovery of some hidden beaches along the way and for those who enjoy a bit of history, discover why Morte Point has been responsible for many a shipwreck throughout the centuries.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n
Saunton Sands<\/span><\/h1>\r\nA short drive or long walk along the South West Coast Path and you arrive at stunning Saunton Sands. \u00a0This particular beach is a favourite for dog walks\u00a0as it welcomes dogs year round. Saunton Sands employs\u00a0easy to follow zoning sections where just the car park and first 5 minutes of your stroll requires that your dog is kept on the lead. \u00a0From here you have the next 3.5 miles of golden sands to explore and enjoy with your four legged friend.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n
Hillsborough Nature Reserve<\/span><\/h1>\r\nKnown to the locals as 'the sleeping elephant', Hillsborough Nature Reserve offers a short but testing walk for you and your dog. \u00a0This dog walk takes you past beaches which are also dog friendly so offers plenty of opportunity for a run and a dip in the sea for both of you - especially welcome during those warm summer months! The views provided by this dog walk are glorious - a bird's eye view of Ilfracombe, out to Lundy Island and even as far as the South Wales coast. \u00a0There is so much for nature lovers to enjoy along the way too with an array of wildlife and their habitats to be seen.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n
Baggy Point<\/span><\/h1>\r\nAs well as providing a dog friendly route, Baggy Point is also an easy access route which is especially important in opening up our beautiful countryside walks to as many people as possible. \u00a0Considered an easy route, Baggy Point lends itself to those pups who cannot manage a challenging route but still enjoy the great outdoors. \u00a0It is also considered equally good for young children. Baggy Point might be a shorter, easier dog walk than others on our list, but nonetheless it delivers in breathtaking sights. \u00a0The views along the way extend along the coast and out to sea\u00a0and you can also enjoy sightings of our diverse wildlife and sealife - there's plenty to keep everyone captivated along the way.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\r\n
The South West Coast Path<\/span><\/h1>\r\nThe Carlton Hotel is delightfully situated in Ilfracombe town centre where you can begin dog walks\u00a0in any direction to end up on the beautiful South West Coast Path. \u00a0Here we have miles and miles of stunning countryside and coastal walks to explore and discover your very own favourite spot. Whilst we have only covered our top 5 dog walks\u00a0in this blog, there are of course so many dog walks here to enjoy and far too many to list . \u00a0The South West Coast Path website<\/a> is an excellent place to begin to plan your local dog walks when you visit us here in Ilfracombe.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_padding_top=\"padding_top_none\" row_padding_bottom=\"padding_bottom_none\"][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Carlton Hotel is a dog friendly hotel which welcomes well behaved humans and their four legged friends. \u00a0Our aim is to make your break as pleasurable for your dog as it is for you. \u00a0Inform us when you book<\/a> and we will endevour to ensure all your needs are met, including bowls and dog beds in your room. We look forward to welcoming you and your dog to The Carlton Hotel.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_padding_top=\"padding_top_none\" row_padding_bottom=\"padding_bottom_none\"][vc_column][plethora_button button_text=\"Book your dog friendly stay here\" button_link=\"url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ilfracombecarlton.co.uk%2Fbook%2F|||\" button_size=\"btn-lg\" button_style=\"btn-primary\" button_align=\"text-center\" button_with_icon=\"0\"][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_padding_top=\"padding_top_none\" row_padding_bottom=\"padding_bottom_none\"][vc_column width=\"1\/4\"][\/vc_column][vc_column width=\"3\/4\"][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]","_et_gb_content_width":"","wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,548],"tags":[707,706,708],"class_list":["post-283698","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-offers","category-packages","tag-expert-tips","tag-sleep","tag-sleep-retreat"],"yoast_head":"\n