Sleep has become the latest lifestyle obsession. We track it, hack it and throw money at it from magnesium sprays to weighted blankets that promise miracles. But despite all the noise, good sleep still comes down to a few simple things done consistently.
The truth is, most of us don’t need a £300 sleep gadget to wake up feeling better. We just need to get the basics right. Here’s what actually helps and what’s mostly marketing.
Routine beats supplements
Your body loves consistency. Going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time each day has more impact on your energy than any pill or powder. It helps regulate your circadian rhythm, the internal clock that controls everything from your hormones to your recovery.
Try to set a sleep window and stick to it, even at weekends. It’s not sexy, but it works.
Light exposure is everything
One of the simplest sleep hacks is free: daylight. Getting sunlight first thing helps reset your body clock, telling your brain it’s time to be awake. On the flip side, dimming lights in the evening and avoiding your phone’s glow in bed helps trigger melatonin, the hormone that signals it’s time to wind down.
If you struggle to switch off, use Night Shift mode on your screen or keep the lights low an hour before bed.
Keep it cool
A slightly cooler bedroom is proven to improve sleep quality. Aim for around 18°C if you can. It helps your core temperature drop, which signals to your body that it’s time to rest. Breathable bedding or temperature-regulating tech like Ooler or Eight Sleep can genuinely make a difference here, though they’re nice-to-haves, not essentials.
The supplements that actually help
Most sleep gummies are more sugar than science. But a few ingredients have solid backing. Magnesium glycinate and L-theanine can both help the body relax. Glycine has also shown promise for improving sleep quality and next-day alertness.
Melatonin can help if you’re travelling or adjusting to a new time zone, but it’s not something to take every night. If in doubt, stick to the basics and talk to your GP before adding anything new.
What doesn’t work
Some trends just don’t stack up. Expensive blue light glasses if you’re already limiting screen time, crystal-infused sleep sprays and detox teas won’t transform your rest. And no, the sleep patch from TikTok isn’t backed by science either.
The takeaway
Better sleep isn’t about the latest gadget or supplement. It’s about giving your body what it actually needs: rhythm, light, temperature and time to unwind. Focus on those and you’ll start waking up fresher without needing a single gimmick.
Sometimes, the best recovery tool really is just going to bed on time.
