Too Cold to Get Out of Bed? Tips for Braving Winter Mornings

Getting out of a warm bed, especially in winter, is a common challenge rooted in the snug comfort that your bed offers. The contrast between the toasty haven and the cold outside creates a magnetic pull, making it psychologically and physically difficult to leave. It’s like saying goodbye to a dear friend, where the warmth of the bed becomes a reluctant departure from comfort to face the demands of the waking and chilly world.

This guide will help you brave the cold mornings and get out of bed with a spring in your step. Let’s bring that warmth with us as we tackle the chilly winter days ahead!

1. Set your thermostat to come before waking

Setting your smart thermostat or central heating to ensure a cosy wake-up experience involves a delicate balance of timing and temperature with your thermostat. But once set, using a thermostat timer or smart heating system can help make that chilly morning so much easier to deal with.

The best way to do this is to program the thermostat or Nest heating system to start warming up the space at least 1 hour before you plan to rise and wake up.

Aim for a temperature that feels comfortably warm but not too hot, typically between 19-22 degrees Celsius (68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit). This ensures a gradual transition from the comfort of your bed to a pleasantly warm environment, making the act of getting up on chilly mornings a more inviting experience!

Experimenting with different settings and check your personal preferences to help tailor the thermostat schedule to create the perfect, warm start to your day.

2. Invest in Luxurious Bedding

Did you know that natural fibre bedding can keep you warmer without the need for room heaters all whilst feeling luxuriously soft? All because natural fibres help retain heat more effectively whilst breathing stopping the chill or any clamy feelings. So luxurious natural fibre bedding is a quick win to stay comfortable in bed.

Choose natural premium bedding crafted with the finest breathable heat-regulating materials, such as wool, brushed cotton or Egyptian cotton sheets.

Why not great yourself to a merino or lambs wool bed throw? All of which ensure a sumptuous sleep sanctuary.

Let’s take a look at some of the very best natural fibre bedding materials to help increase the warmth and comfort when you’re in bed on those cold nights.

i) Egyptian Cotton

Renowned for its exceptional quality, Egyptian cotton is a top choice for luxurious bedding. Its long fibers contribute to a soft and silky feel, while its breathability ensures a comfortable and indulgent night’s sleep.

ii) Silk

Silk is synonymous with opulence, offering a smooth, lustrous texture that feels incredibly gentle against the skin. It possesses natural temperature-regulating properties, providing a cool sensation in warmer months and warmth during colder nights.

iii) Cashmere

Derived from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, cashmere bedding exudes unparalleled luxury. The fine fibers create a lightweight and insulating fabric, offering warmth without the weight for a truly sumptuous sleep experience.

iv) Linen

Linen boasts a timeless elegance and a distinctive texture. Natural linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). The process of creating linen involves harvesting the flax plant, extracting its fibres, and then spinning and weaving them into the fabric.  As a natural fibre, linen bedding is breathable and absorbent, providing a cool and airy feel in warmer climates. Over time, linen softens, enhancing its comfort and sophistication.

v) Bamboo Viscose

Bamboo viscose is celebrated for its eco-friendly properties and is luxuriously soft to the touch. Bedding made from bamboo viscose is hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and possesses a gentle drape, making it a favoured choice for those seeking a blend of comfort and sustainability. It’s also plant-based, making it an excellent bedfellow for a vegan mattress if you want to avoid animal products.

3. Master the Art of Layering

Layering isn’t just for fashion; it’s a game-changer for winter bedding. Whether it is adding natural fibre blankets and throws on top of your existing bedding or considering adding a deep mattress comfort layer with a mattress topper, layering is the new want to get super cosy. This approach not only enhances the visual allure of your bedroom but also allows you to adapt to varying temperatures and preferences. If it is too cold, you can add more layers, too warm, and you can peel back the layers, simple!

When it comes to bedding layering, start with a quality fitted sheet as the foundational layer, ensuring a smooth and comfortable base. With deep mattresses like ours at John Ryan By Design, we always recommend buying extra deep fitted sheets.

Next add a mattress topper and protector for an extra touch of softness and warmth. The next layer often consists of blankets or throws, which can be easily adjusted based on the ambient temperature. Consider incorporating a high tog winter duvet or comforter as the main insulating layer, providing additional warmth during colder nights.

With duvets, we recommend always choosing a size up for your mattress. So, if you have a double, buy a kingsize mattress. This means that if you roll over at night, you’re not suddenly exposed to cold air. It also means there is much more duvet over the side of the bed to keep you toasty warm.

Pillows also play a crucial role in bedding layering. Start with your sleeping pillows, then add decorative shams or accent pillows for a stylish touch. A throw pillow or two can contribute to both style and functionality.

Experiment with textures, patterns, and colours to create a visually appealing layered bed. This adds a sense of luxury and allows you to customize your sleeping environment to suit your preferences and the changing seasons.

At John Ryan By Design, we offer an array of sumptuous mattress toppers, adding an extra layer of warmth and comfort to your mattress. Combine these with high-quality natural fibre sheets for a bed that looks inviting and feels warm on chilly mornings.

4. Prioritize Quality Sleep

The key to braving winter mornings lies in the quality of your sleep. It’s no good having a gorgeous-looking bedroom if the mattress you’re sleeping on isn’t suitable for your sleep preference or body weight. A bad night’s sleep will make you feel lethargic at the best of times, making waking up and getting out of bed even harder than normal. Couple a poor night’s sleep with cold mornings, and the effect is exacerbated even further, so improving your mattress to upgrade your sleep quality is key.

At John Ryan By Design, we have advocated for decades about investing in a mattress that suits your unique needs by selecting the right spring tension and natural fibre upholstery layers. All of which ensure that each night’s sleep is a restorative experience.

i) Identify Your Mattress Preferences

Begin by understanding your sleep preferences. Consider factors like firmness of the comfort layers, pocket spring support, and whether you prefer a cooler or warmer sleep experience.

Spring tensions are the most misunderstood part of buying a mattress; they don’t relate to the firmness of the mattress; the upholstery covers that part. Spring tensions relate to how heavy you are; use the table below to work out if you’re on the right spring tension with your current mattress.

ii) Assess Your Sleeping Position

Take into account your primary sleeping position—whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper. Different mattresses cater to varied sleeping styles to ensure optimal comfort.

iii) Determine Your Budget

Establish a realistic budget for your mattress purchase. At John Ryan By Design, we offer a range of high-quality mattresses with options to suit various budget considerations, all of which are handmade and tailored to your body weight, sleep preference and comfort. Below is a guide to what to expect based on your mattress budget.

iii) Explore Mattress Materials

Delve into the materials used in the mattress construction. John Ryan By Design focuses on premium natural materials, including pocket springs, natural fibres, and innovative technologies such as plant fibres to deliver lasting comfort and support with your mattress.

iv) Consider Motion Transfer

If you share your bed, evaluate the mattress’s ability to minimize motion transfer. Our zip and link and pocket sprung mattresses are designed to isolate movement, ensuring uninterrupted sleep for both you and your partner. Don’t be disturbed during the night; choose a mattress that helps eliminate roll-together and transference so you can stay warm and cosy all night!

v) Check for Temperature Regulation

If temperature control is crucial, explore mattresses with heat-regulating materials and fibres. Wool, alpaca and bamboo all help regulate heat and reduce moisture in bed so you can stay more comfortable during the night. John Ryan By Design offers options that promote airflow and temperature neutrality for a comfortable night’s sleep.

6. Wear Socks to Bed

Wearing socks to bed might seem like a simple habit, but it can have surprisingly profound effects on your sleep quality. Research suggests that keeping your feet warm by wearing socks can help dilate blood vessels, promoting better blood circulation throughout your body.

This dilation signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep, as it mimics the natural drop in body temperature that occurs as you drift off. Additionally, warm feet can help you relax more deeply, easing muscle tension and creating a sense of comfort and security. So, slipping on a cosy pair of socks before bed isn’t just about keeping your toes warm—it’s about setting the stage for a deeper, more restorative night’s sleep.

Likewise, having warm feet and toes can make it easier to rise in the morning as the shock from the warm bed to a colder bedroom is less intense.

7. Add a rug to your bedroom

Adding a rug to your bedroom isn’t just about enhancing the décor—it can also make chilly mornings easier! When temperatures drop, stepping out of bed onto a cold floor can be jarring and unpleasant. A deep soft rug provides a warm landing spot for your feet, shielding them from the cold and helping you ease into the day more comfortably. Bedroom rugs also add texture to your bedroom and a sensory element for your feet each morning.

Soft bedroom rugs also create a barrier between you and the chilly floor, making the transition from bed to the rest of your day a little smoother. So, consider adding a rug to your bedroom not only as a stylish accent but also as a practical solution to make those colder mornings feel a bit more inviting.

8. Create a Winter Morning Playlist

Music has the power to uplift your spirits even on the chilliest mornings. Curate a playlist of soothing tunes that inspire warmth and joy. Use music to lift your spirits and give that zing to the morning routine. Crafting the perfect winter morning playlist is an art that combines soothing melodies to ease you into wakefulness with cosy vibes that match the chill in the air.

Begin by selecting tunes with gentle rhythms and warm instrumentals to create a serene ambience. Consider acoustic or instrumental tracks that evoke a sense of comfort and tranquillity.

Infuse your playlist with seasonal favourites or songs that make you feel good. To add an extra layer of motivation, include tracks with uplifting melodies and positive lyrics. Think of your playlist as a musical hug that gently nudges you awake on winter mornings, turning the act of getting out of bed into a delightful and harmonious experience.