Read Time: 6 minutes
Summary:
Sleep struggles are at their peak in February, affecting energy levels, brain health, immunity and even skin appearance. Disrupted rest has been linked to faster cognitive decline and dull, tired-looking skin — while quality sleep can boost memory, protect long-term brain function, and promote a glowing complexion. From science-backed tips to calming lavender-infused skincare, there are simple ways to sleep better and wake up refreshed inside and out, including a spoonful of Manuka goodness about 30 minutes before bed.
Poor Sleep Peaks in February
- Sleep Survey reveals February is the worst month for a good night’s sleep
- Fixing sleep problems can slow the rate of cognitive decline and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by up to ten years
- Getting a full night’s sleep is the key to a youthful and glowing complexion
If you find yourself tossing and turning during dark Winter nights, you are not alone.
40% of adults and children suffer with sleep issues according to The Sleep Charity [1] and February is the worst month of the year for it!
Findings from The Great British Sleep Survey of over 21,000 UK adults reveal that it takes an extra eight minutes on average to get to sleep in February compared with March, and we spend an extra 10 minutes awake during the night. As a result one-third more people report low energy levels, with women coming off worse than men.[2]
Short days and long dark nights are partly to blame for a poor quality of sleep. Body clocks are highly regulated by natural sunlight, which provides for wakefulness during the day. Low levels of light and lack of fresh air in the Winter has an adverse effect on the quality of sleep at night, which then has a counteractive effect on our cognitive function, as sleep is an important time for the brain.
Try a new Manuka recipe today!
A good night’s sleep can help clear out potentially damaging brain gunk each night. Trials suggest fixing sleep problems can slow the rate of cognitive decline and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by up to ten years.[3] Thankfully, there is also evidence that improving sleep can boost both short- and long-term cognitive performance promoting sharper thinking and reducing the likelihood of age-related cognitive decline.[4]
Not only does disrupted sleep leave us feeling tired, groggy and mentally drained, it can also deregulate the skin’s natural repair and protection processes that occur whilst we sleep, leading to dark under eye circles and a dull looking complexion.
Getting a full night’s sleep is the key to a youthful and glowing complexion but if you are struggling to get off to sleep at night, try a relaxing mask with natural Lavender fragrance, like the Manuka Doctor Overnight Mask. This lavender scented leave-on gel mask, which not only helps to reduce dark circles, under eye bags and brighten a dull complexion, it also helps you relax for a restful night’s sleep. Wake to visibly hydrated, noticeably smooth, luminous skin.
Not only does the Manuka Doctor Overnight Lavender Mask contain Lavender Oil to help you relax and promote a restful night’s sleep, it also contains Glycerin and Albizia Julibrissin Bark to help reawaken a tired and dull looking complexion. Nopal Plant to help speed up the skin’s natural exfoliation process and regenerate new skin over-night. Manuka honey and Hyaluronic acid to boost skin's hydration, increase firmness and refine the appearance of wrinkles.
These hard-working natural ingredients protect and repair the proteic structures, which in turn promote the visible reduction of dark circles, under eye bags, a dull complexion and drawn features, leaving skin feeling hydrated, plump and healthy. Brighter eyes and a plumped complexion are just a night’s sleep away!
And don’t forget to keep your immune system in tip top condition during the colder Winter months, a lack of sleep contributes to frequent illness. When our bodies don’t get the repair they need during sleep, our immune systems are tired and weak which puts us at increased risk for illness. [5] As well as our top tips for a good night’s sleep below, try taking an immune boosting daily supplement such as Manuka Doctor Immune Booster.
10 Tips for a Good Night's Sleep:
1. Relax
Whether it’s taking a warm bath, reading a book, or listening to soothing music before bed, make sure you relax.
2. Routine
Try to go to bed at the same time every day and create your own relaxation routine.
3. Avoid technology
Ban phones, computers and TVs from the bedroom and avoid looking at them for an hour before bed.
4. Create a relaxing ambience
Ensure that your room is the right temperature between 16 °C and 18 °C (60°F to 65°F) also a lack of clutter will relax the mind.
5. Don’t clock watch
Remind yourself that resting in bed and thinking nice thoughts is more productive than tossing and turning and looking at the clock every ten minutes.
6. Foods for sleeping
Eating healthily improves sleep generally, but some foods are particularly beneficial, such as Manuka honey, milk, chicken, turkey and pumpkin seeds.
7. Why Honey Helps You Sleep Better
One of the most important aspects to getting good, restorative sleep is to ensure that your blood sugar levels are balanced throughout the day and particularly before you go to bed. If you go to bed with poorly balanced blood sugar levels, you can find yourself waking up feeling restless and hungry and then find it hard to get back to sleep. Some people even need to get up and eat during the night before they can go back to sleep. Having a spoonful of good Manuka honey before you hit the sack can also help to optimise your sleep and rest.
8- So how exactly does honey work its magic at night?
According to clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Michael Breus PhD, a teaspoon of raw honey about 30 minutes before bed can keep you full, thereby enhancing your snooze. ‘It can actually keep blood sugar somewhat stable.’ While you sleep at night, the body goes into a fasted state and the brain draws on liver glycogen - the glucose storage tank - in order to keep vital functions ticking over efficiently as you sleep. Honey - with its equal amounts of fructose and glucose - can help restore liver glycogen levels so your brain doesn't use up all that storage. So it also stops hunger pangs waking you up at odd hours. A further study has also shown that a milk-honey mixture before bed can even enhance sleep quality.[6]
9. Foods to avoid
Spicy food, alcohol and large meals shouldn’t be consumed in the hours before bedtime. Drinking caffeine in the afternoon can affect sleep.
10. Darkness promotes sleep
A darkened room helps to promote sleep. Try to block out external light with shutters or blinds.
11. Keep active in the day
Physical activity is great for sleep, as well as for your health generally.
12. Incorporate lavender into your bedtime regime
Lavender is used in everything from bath bombs to fabric softener because its fragrance helps you relax. Now scientists have confirmed the smell of lavender really does help you unwind. Japanese researchers at Kagoshima University discovered that those exposed to the aroma of Lavender had less signs of anxiety and helped them relax.
For more information on our award-winning Overnight Mask, click here
[1] The Sleep Charity. 2023. Adult Sleep eBook. [Internet] Cited 2025 Available from
file:///Users/carolinehorton/Downloads/TSC-1423-Adult-Sleep-eBook_D3.pdf
[2] https://www.djsresearch.co.uk/HealthMarketResearchInsightsAndFindings/article/Sleep-Survey-Sees-UK-Tendency-for-Poor-Nights-Rest-in-February-01095
[3] https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00325/full
[4] https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article-abstract/49/1/zsaf326/8287578
[5] https://www.icr-heart.com/article/systematic-review-the-impact-of-poor-sleep-quality-on-psychological-and-physical-health-2444/
[6] Fakhr-Movahedi, A., Mirmohammadkhani, M., & Ramezani, H. (2018). Effect of milk-honey mixture on the sleep quality of coronary patients: A clinical trial study. Clinical nutrition ESPEN, 28, 132-135.
