The Best New Year’s (Sleep) Resolutions for 2022

It’s hard to believe we’re nearly done with 2021. And what a year it’s been! 

From global pandemics, to unprecedented weather, to all the other stuff that happened, the last 12 months have been a reeeal doozy. It’s no wonder that many are anxious to put it to rest once and for all. Luckily, the coming calendar year signifies the start of something new, something with limitless potential and possibilities! A clean slate, if you will.

The tradition of drafting up new year's resolutions similarly embodies this ideal, and self improvement is certainly never a bad thing. That’s why we here at QE Home have been thinking about the resolutions we can craft that will help as many people as possible. It should come as no surprise that ours have to do with sleep. After all, the holiday season and its wild parties and late nights can make anyone feel fatigued. 

As the self-designated sultans of slumber we are, we’ve created a list of sleep resolutions that will help you make the most out of your time spent horizontal and vertical. Trust us: by setting these goals into action, your body, mind, and spirit will benefit tremendously as a result.

So without further ado, here are 22 sleep resolutions for 2022. Just kidding…we wrote 4.

Sleep Resolution #1: Get More of It

Okay, this one’s obvious. But here’s the thing: sleep is like, really important. Like, really important. Like, you-will-actually-die-without-it-important. Studies show that the less sleep you get, the worse off your physiological and psychological health. Therefore, the more effort you put into getting that golden eight hours of rest, the more likely your continued success.

This is precisely why we’ve made getting more sleep first on our agenda. This resolution truly eclipses — and encompasses — all others! But “getting more sleep” is a lot easier said than done, especially because the goal of “sleeping more” is incredibly vague, and it can be difficult to know whether or not you’re actually making progress. When it comes to your sleep resolutions, then, make sure they follow the SMART principle – meaning your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely.

Let’s break things down a little bit further, and frame it in terms of our resolution to get more shut-eye:

Specific – What does “more sleep” mean to you? For example, maybe it means going to bed a half hour earlier during the weekdays. Having vague aspirations makes them all too easy to brush off, so getting down to the nitty-gritty details will help keep you accountable.

Measurable – How can you quantify and evaluate whether you’ve actually had more sleep if you don’t have any means of tracking your progress? Figuring out what metrics matter and work for you is important. For this goal, you could use a smartphone app, or go analog and note down your progress on paper: Dear diary, On this day I went to bed a half hour earlier than usual. There is literally no stopping me.

Attainable – Does your goal align with your current circumstances, or are you setting yourself up for failure? Can you reasonably see yourself getting more sleep, and in the way you’ve specified? Let’s be real, getting 10 hours every single night is probably not going to happen (especially if you’re a parent!). Life tends to get in the way of such lofty aspirations, and it’s important to be as realistic as possible. You see, setting SMART goals is all about getting honest with yourself.(Scary, we know, but bear with us.)

Relevant – This one should be a non-issue, considering how important an adequate night’s rest is for our health and wellness! Just keep this factor in mind for any other resolutions you have.

Timely – Defining the time period when your actions will take place is vital. If you don’t set up a clear timeline, it can be all too easy to tell yourself that you’ll get to it one day (and we all know just how far away that can be)!

For this resolution, try to specify that you will get a “half-hour extra on weekdays” (or whatever you decide on) for at least the first month of the year. That way, your goal will instantly become more realistic, specific, measurable, and relevant. Plus, you can keep the ball rolling by building off your successes.

(On a completely unrelated note, we’ll start exercising one day.)

Now that we’ve covered the importance of setting SMART goals, and how they can help you stick to your resolutions so you actually see meaningful results, it’s time to move on to our next resolution.

P.S. If you’re looking for more guidance on how to fall asleep and stay asleep, check out our blog for 9 easy tips!

Sleep Resolution #2: Craft an Environment Conducive to Sleep

When you have lots of distractions going on at home, it can be that much harder to slow down and settle in for the night. That’s why creating a safe haven for slumber is essential. Besides helping you get more of the good stuff quantity-wise, resetting your room can improve the quality of your sleep too. Blocking light is one way to ensure this, as our bodies produce the snooze-inducing hormone melatonin in its absence. Excessive light disrupts our all-important circadian rhythms that govern our sleep-wake cycles. Keeping sound levels to a minimum is equally as important, as those of us who’ve ever tried to sleep through a party or a plane full of crying babies will attest.

Our Linen Look Blackout Drapery Panels work wonderfully for both, as their blackout backing excels at absorbing light rays and sound waves. For those of us who’ve spent too much on gifts this past month, rest assured — this decorative choice will reduce those energy bills too!

Aromatherapy is another way to set the stage for snoozing. Try lighting some candles or spritzing a soothing scent to create a calming, restful environment.

And in case you’re the kind of person who would rather do anything than lie still (couldn’t be us, but we’re here for you regardless), revisiting your bedding choices can make hitting the hay that much more appealing. From our cooling, temperature-regulating luxury sheets to our decadent duvets and duvet covers, there are so many ways you can give your sleep space a boost. Okay, now that we’re done with all that, let’s move on to Sleep Resolution #3!

Sleep Resolution #3: Start a Bedtime Beautification Ritual

Self care, ever heard of it?

Just kidding, of course you have! But the questions of whether you’ve heard of it, and whether you actively strive to do it nightly are entirely different. Though many of us have, say, a favourite moisturizer we like to slather on, creating a before-bed beauty routine is a surefire way to put your best face forward come morning, while also teaching your body to gear down at night. We are creatures of habit, after all, and hey — there’s nothing wrong with resolving to pamper yourself a little more!

Keep in mind that your routine should be personalized to suit your needs. Whether that means taking a hot bath and cuddling up in some cozy, plush towels or dolloping on a face mask, there’s few self care essentials that’ll complement whatever products you use, and whatever routine you choose:

If you’ve got long tresses, 100% Silk Twist Headbands are a great way to keep your locks away from your face, thanks to mulberry silk’s world-renowned conditioning properties. Same goes for our 100% silk scrunchies!

For an even lower stakes way to boost your beauty sleep, slip one of our 100% mulberry Silk Pillowcases on and let the wee hours do all the work. Their smooth, crease-free surfaces nourish your skin and hair effortlessly — and all while you snooze.

Now all you need is some caviar and champagne, and you’re good to go!

Sleep Resolution #4: Wake Up Feeling More Refreshed

Perhaps you’re reading this resolution and wondering to yourself, “how on earth am I supposed to make sure this happens?”. If you are, we get it!

Like having the vague resolution of “sleeping more”, if you don’t take the time to break down your goal and get specific with it, you’re not likely to make much progress. With a resolution like this, the idea is to figure out what concrete actions you can do that will really make this happen.

For some people, that might look like keeping an organization/cleaning schedule so that you don’t wake up in a rush to get out the door, or bogged down by piles of clothes and personal goods. If that sounds like you, try setting the SMART goal of getting ready for the next day before you hit the hay.

Another foolproof way to wake up on the “right” side of the bed is to make sure your neck and body are supported while you sleep. If you’re not in the market for a new mattress, don’t worry. Try rotating your current one, as this allows for even distribution of weight, wear and tear over time. You can also add an extra layer of cushioning with our Pillow Top Mattress Protector, which provides unparalleled comfort while also protecting against damage.

A new pillow is another investment that similarly works wonders when it comes to waking up and feeling your best. From luxurious and comfortable down to decadent memory foam, there’s an option out there for everyone.

In any case, providing yourself and your body with adequate support will help you wakey-wakey without the achey-achey!

There you have it: the 4 new years sleep resolutions that will benefit you throughout the days and the nights! For personalized help with your bedtime goals, get in touch with one of our sleep stylists — they’ll make sure you have everything you need to see them through. You can also visit any of our 75+ store locations to get a feel for the products yourself.

And with all that said and done, Happy New Year, Canada! May all your dreams for 2022 come true.