Silent nights: how to get a properly good sleep
Neom founder Nicola Elliott on sleeping (and scenting) well
How did you sleep last night? Do you feel well rested? At peace? Happy in your lane? Chances are, if you’re a normal human being, the short answer will be ‘no’. One in five of us aren’t getting enough sleep (it’s recommended that adults up to the age of 64 get seven to nine hours of sleep per night) and while that statistic might seem surprising, the most shocking part is discovering that some people are in fact sleeping well.
Who are these gods among men? Turns out, Neom founder Nicola Elliott is one of them. Here, she spills her secrets to getting the best night’s sleep of your life…
How do you sleep at night?
I have always been an OK sleeper, however, as I have got older I have certainly had my fair share of sleepless nights and being restless. But currently, I am sleeping pretty well thanks to the advice from a great sleep consultant Nick Witton – the expert who we worked with at Neom to produce a 28-day Sleep Plan.
I’ve made quite a few little tweaks to what I get up to throughout the day and how I choose to spend the hours leading up to bedtime. One of the biggest things is getting daylight in the morning. I also make a conscious effort to get up and go to bed at the same time each day, even at the weekend.
Talk us through your current night-time routine
Have you ever heard of the mantra ‘bath, book, bed’ for kids? Well, mine is basically the same with a few additions; trying to have dinner by 6.30-7pm and after this it’s a sacred wind-down zone – creating a cosy, chilled-out vibe by lighting our Real Luxury Candle or switching on my Wellbeing Pod. Then it’s a bath before bed and a chapter of a book as it really helps to let my body know it’s bedtime – and I always sleep better for it.
It’s always lights out by 10.30-11pm for me, I get a bit twitchy if it’s any later. Lastly, a few spritzes of our Pillow Mist.
Which three things do you have on your bedside table?
The non-negotiables are…
Plus I always have a hardback book and a journal to write down my thoughts from the day.
Which scents would you recommend to help aid relaxation?
We’re big on establishing a consistent nightly routine (and the powers of aromatherapy) at Neom so a natural fragrance is the only way to go at bedtime. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile and jasmine work well, plus when you spritz your pillow with fragrance every night as part of your routine, your brain will be signalled into ‘off’ mode.
I’m not a calm person. I am a full on ball of energy and have burnt the candle at both ends. My default state is ‘busy’, which is why our De-Stress blend with lavender, jasmine and sandalwood was the first blend I ever created – to help me keep my wellbeing in check.
How can I get a better night’s sleep?
The million dollar question, right? I would say it’s all about consistency, sticking to a routine and a 360 solution to a great night’s sleep. This actually starts the moment you wake up so I would recommend a zingy morning shower with our Super Shower Power Body Cleanser to get you ready and raring for the day. Come bedtime, I would invest in a eucalyptus natural silk pillowcase, plus a good book.
What are some small changes we can all do to help get a better night’s sleep?
The biggest habit to instil is getting daylight every morning! It means more than you think. A warm bath is good for sleep – and the soul. Fresh pyjamas and clean sheets. A cool bedroom. Reading instead of screen time. And our Neom Pillow Mist, of course.
