Top Five Tips For Getting to Sleep When You Have a Cold or the Flu

If you managed to avoid catching a cold so far this winter, we salute you. But that’s probably not the case for the majority of us. What started as a few sniffles quickly turned into a streaming nose, body aches and an unbearable tickly cough which almost always guaranteed a bad night’s sleep – sound familiar?

According to NHS research, over 65s, pregnant women and young children are most likely to catch a cold during the winter months – although that’s not to say you won’t even if you don’t fall into one of those categories!

Colds spread most easily through groups in close contact, such as families. A number of different viruses can cause a cold, so it’s even possible to have several colds one after the other, with each one caused by a different virus.

There may be not be a cure but we’ve pulled together some useful tips to help you beat the symptoms and catch up on some much needed sleep!

Choose the best sleeping position

Many people think it will help to stack extra pillows when they’re struggling to sleep with a cold – but it can actually cause your head to sag forward, worsening your breathing problems. A better alternative is to layer pillows to form a triangular shape to ensure your neck is supported.

Lying on your back may also worsen a postnasal drip – experts suggest sleeping on your side instead and if you wake up with one side of your nose blocked, try switching positions.

Maintain a consistent room temperature

You may be tempted to turn the heating up when suffering with a cold but don’t fall victim to this common mistake! Instead, keep the thermostat at a comfortable level: 20°C – 22°C.

Something else that’s often overlooked is the humidity. Dry air in your bedroom can worsen your symptoms and leave your nose and throat feel parched. Try using a humidifier or opening a window to maintain moisture levels in the air.

Don’t drink alcohol

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things to keep in mind when trying to shift a cold, but don’t get ahead of yourself! Alcohol is likely to dehydrate you and make other symptoms worse.

The thought of swollen sinuses should be enough to put you off until you’ve fully recovered.

Stick to your nightly routine

Studies suggest that people who don’t get enough ZZZs are three times more likely to catch a cold than those who get eight or more hours of sleep a night.

Although there’s nothing more appealing than an early night or a nap on the sofa, it’s best to wake up and head to bed at the same time as usual when you’re sick. Sticking to a schedule not only makes it easier to fall asleep but it can also help you avoid catching another cold.

Ensure you have a comfortable bed

Regardless of whether you have a cold or not, an uncomfortable bed will leave you with many restless or even sleepless nights.

If your bed isn’t doing its job make sure you head on over to our website to see our full collection of handcrafted beds, each designed to give you the perfect night’s sleep.

Don’t let cold and flu season ruin your January… follow these simple steps to a happier, healthier new year. For more sleep tips and to keep up to date with all things Sleepeezee, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.