Its been a year since the first lockdown was put in place and the pandemic changed our daily lives. As the virus continues, government regulations along with it, it’s clearer than ever that COVID-19 has altered more than just our social lives and how much anti-bac we use. Complaints of sleep struggles have become more common in recent months, as anxieties continue and sleep patterns and routines have changed. A new word has been coined to describe the increase in sleep problems in correlation with the pandemic – Coronasomnia.

Because of the rising trend in sleeping issues, narrated by the press, panel shows, and social media platforms, we’ve got in touch with sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo to answer our questions, and yours, on this phenomenon and how to sleep better during Covid.

With several qualifications in medicine and psychology, Olivia Arezzolo has created E-books, coached individuals and teams, and written for many large publications about the science and psychology of sleep, if there was anyone to ask about this subject, trust us, it’d be her.

As a sleep expert who coaches and counsels on sleeping, have you found a rise in such struggles in your practice since the pandemic?

Yes – definitely: new research finds those poor sleepers almost doubled due to COVID19 – rising from 25% to 46%

With a statistic like that there must be a large correlation with isolation, and the Coronavirus in general, what is it about our pandemic-led lifestyle changes that have caused these issues?

A heavier reliance on technology is a primary factor – it emits sleep sabotaging blue light.

While we may have been mindful to limit our usage of phones and laptops in the evening pre-pandemic, during isolation this was often the only way we could connect, so we have been on our screens more frequently than before.

Research shows using a phone in the last hour before bed equates to a 35% higher likelihood of losing 2+ hours of sleep, and a 48% greater likelihood to take over 60 minutes to fall asleep.

In a similar vein, by using a computer in the last hour before bed, you are 52% more likely to take 60+ minutes to fall asleep, and 53% more likely to lose 2+ hours of sleep.

What are other reasons for issues with sleep?

More widespread alcohol use, stress, more flexible lifestyles – including sleep/wake times – lack of routine, all play their part.

That said, light is our primary zeitgeber – factor to control the circadian rhythm – so if there is one reason we haven’t slept well, it’s light.

“Coronasomnia” is a phrase becoming more and more popular as we continue to find patterns in sleep issues, how do you know if you have insomnia?

The signs of insomnia are:

– Struggling to fall asleep within 30 minutes

– Waking frequently through the night

– Excessive daytime fatigue

– Fatigue upon waking

– Falling asleep during the day

– Struggling to concentrate

– Anxiety and depression

– Inability to concentrate

– Memory lapses

And should you contact a doctor or expert if you can feel and see these signs?

Yes – definitely. It’s not something you should simply put up with – it’s a clinical disorder and professionals such as myself have solutions that can help you.

Another issue becoming more common recently are nocturnal panic attacks, or ‘night terrors’, what are these, and what causes them? How can we prevent these? Or cope with them?

They’re typically driven by high stress levels, so stress management is key: cutting down on work if necessary, using exercise as a stress relief tool, minimising alcohol consumption, prioritising wellness – including sleep.

What can a lack of sleep do to your health? Especially during Covid times?

Though I could go provide a catalogue of detriments to your health, the one that resonates with

all of us is stress:

After one night of insufficient sleep, studies show cortisol levels are 37% higher, and after 2 nights, they are 45% higher.

As cortisol is a stress hormone, this makes us feel even more anxious, wired and unable to switch off than we usually do – obviously not ideal for anyone right now, given the pandemic.

What are things we can do at home to promote better sleep and fix these struggles?

I recommend my signature bedtime routine:

Block out blue light, diffuse lavender, have a goodnight phone alarm, have a shower, take magnesium, listen to white noise and practice deep breathing

Specifics on these can be found in my free e-book on my website: www.oliviaarezzolo.com.au

What are some products that could help us if issues are beyond routine changes and sleep-inducing activities?

As in the signature bedtime routine, blue light blocking glasses are extremely helpful; as is lavender and magnesium.

£ 28

Aura Blue Light Glasses

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£ 100

Perfect Night’s Sleep Pod Starter Pack

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£ 23

Sweet Sleep Magnesium Butter

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£ 9

Dr Vegan Magnesium Capsules

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For those seeking a sleep expert who can offer personalised coaching – contact Olivia via enquiries@oliviaarezzolo.com.au, and for any other information, visit her site here.

Words By Daisy Greetham

The post Coronasomnia: Sorting Your Covid Sleep Struggles With Olivia Arezzolo appeared first on Voir Fashion.

Whether you favour a flannelette, a cotton or a fleece, for the most, pillowcases embody nothing more than a piece of material to decorate and protect your pillow. Silk, however, transforms this: working hard in both aestheticism and value, a pillowcase upgrade protects you. Vitamins, lotions, soaps, and serums overwhelm our searches for the latest beauty gold dust yet – for some reason – we consistently overlook one of the most fundamental elements of our life: sleep. Yes, we’ve heard it all before, the more sleep the better but as anyone living a normal life will tell you, this simply isn’t possible. However, the next best thing? Invest in a new pillowcase.

Silk is a fabric famous for its luxurious texture, a lightweight material that is simultaneously glossy and smooth, soft and glassy, essential but extravagant. In the beauty world, silk is fast becoming known as the antidote to our beauty woes. To help you navigate this new Princess-Esque bedtime essential, we’ve split the benefits up into the three main beneficiaries: hair, skin and sleep.

Benefits for Your Hair:

Waking up with a glamourous and stylish bedhead has never been easier! For most of us, our morning routine involves rigorous smoothing and brushing and straightening and teasing, frantically trying to erase the signs of restless sleep. Sleeping on silk, however, prevents these hours of pain. Commonly used by those with textured and curled hair, a silk pillowcase works wonders for signs of frizz and mess.

Being anti-static and retaining of moisture (19% less than normal synthetic materials) silk is a material that works with the natural movement and processes of your hair, reducing the impact and signs of sleep. Alongside this, the lack of opposition from the silk pillowcase helps to combat breakage and thinning which, no doubt, is something that your older self will thank you for.

Benefits for Your Skin:

In addition to keeping your hair in perfect condition, the smoothness of silk also works to reduce signs of aging. The softness of these pillowcases, and the subsequent lack of friction, reduces the impact of tossing and turning in the night. This is because the smooth fibers don’t catch or mark your face, in-turn reducing skin creases and the visibility of aging.

Hand in hand with this is the fact that silk is less absorptive than other synthetic materials. Although your skin might seem oilier in the morning, in keeping your skin moisturized the pillowcases lock in both your perfected skincare regime and your natural oils. In turn, this works to combat the dryness, unevenness and patchiness of your skin, helping to improve your complexion and help reduce signs of aging.

Lily Silk: 19 Momme Oxford Envelope Silk Pillowcase, (£36.00)

Neighborhood: Pure Silk Pillowcase With Washbag, (£35.00)

Benefits for Your Sleep:

Who doesn’t want to sleep like royalty? Except being the proud owner, there is nothing better than falling asleep in a luxuriously made bed. This alone will help you have sweater dreams. In addition, on a perhaps more practical note, silk pillowcases help regulate your temperature throughout the night. Unlike synthetic fibers, silk is identified as a more breathable material and so lets out excess heat throughout the night. As a colder temperature is proven to aid sleep, the pillowcase creates a blissful night sleep.

Like most things that become popular, the market of silk pillowcases is becoming associated with a confusing amount of choice and a hefty price tag. Whilst our Princess alter-ego dreamed of pure silk, this isn’t necessary. Opting for a faux silk pillowcase, a material that imitates the smooth texture, would provide much of the same benefits – just without the aching purse! When looking to buy a new pillowcase, focus on its material: textured or smooth, silky or woven, durable or a splurge?

At the end of the day, when your head finally rests against your pillow, anything smooth is better than not! So be it a cheap imitation or the finest blend, make the move towards silk and you won’t look back.

Words by Hannah Emery

Graphics by Frances Scott

The post What’s the Deal with Silk Pillow Cases? All the Benefits You Need to Know appeared first on Voir Fashion.