Leonardo Hotels Sweet Dreamer Guide

Teeth falling out? Being chased but can’t scream? Most of us grapple with the occasional bad dream but the most vivid nightmares can leave us sleeping with one eye open for the rest of the night!

As we approach the spookiest night of the year, we’ve put together our top tips for banishing nightmares so you won’t be sleeping with one eye open this Halloween….

• Turn over! You may have heard that eating cheese before bedtime can bring on nightmares, but sleeping position is also a key factor, with research indicating that those who sleep on their back tend to experience more nightmares.

• Smell a fragrance you like or find relaxing. Some sleep experts believe that smell affects our dreams. Spraying a fragrance that is familiar brings back good memories, making your brain happy and ready for sweet dreams.

• Write a to-do list before you hit the hay. Getting your thoughts and to-dos down on paper helps you forget about them until the morning (and makes them less likely to pop up in your dreams!)

• Set up a playlist: For a lot of people, there’s nothing more calming than a soundtrack of soothing sounds or melancholy music. Create a bed time play list of ocean soundbites to help you float away from any bad dreams, and into a truly serene slumber.

• “You are getting very, very sleepy…” It’s no secret that meditation and mindfulness can help us sleep better and practicing it just before bed can help you nod off calmly and positively.

• Have a relaxing lead up to bed time. An oldie but a goodie - put away the smartphone at least an hour before, and do something to help your brain switch off, reading a book or listen to some relaxing music.

• Cut out the bedtime snacks.  Eating before bed can trigger nightmares, as the food speeds up your metabolism and encourages your brain to become more active.