7 Day Sleep Challenge with Holland and Barrett

I tend to be a pretty good sleeper, and whenever possible I try and get at least 8 hours in. Recently however I've been feeling more anxious than usual, and one of the first things to fall out of line was my sleep pattern.

When I got an email to ask if I'd like to partake in the Holland and Barrett 7 day sleep challenge, it could not have come at a better time! 'The Sleeping Bag' from Holland and Barrett contained a variety of products, from bath oils to vitamin supplements and herbal teas. I couldn't try them all in 7 days, but here are a few of my favourites:

Caffeine is famed for helping us stay awake… so not the best thing to have just before bed. However, a hot drink and some routine to your evenings can have a calming effect and promote sleep. I'm not actually a tea drinker - and I usually find that hot chocolate can be a little heavy on my stomach just before bed. Despite my preconceptions I tried Holland and Barrett's Creamy Camomile Cocoa which at just 32 calories (as long as you mix with water, not milk) is light enough to enjoy before bedtime. I don't know whether it was the cocoa itself, or the fact that it got me into a routine that made me sleepy every night. Either way, a great way to wind down after a long day in the office.

Passion Fruit Stress Relief tablets, we all go through periods of time in our lives that are more stressful than others - rather than doing nothing, why not give a herbal remedy a try? These tablets aim to promote relaxation and reduce stress. If your stress is longer-term, and you're starting to feel anxious or depressed these of course won't be for you - and are no substitute for seeking medical advice.

Lavender relaxing bath oil and temple balm - everybody knows that lavender is relaxing, but sometimes it can smell a little 'granny', what I loved about this bath oil was that it is also contains almond oil, sandalwood and chamomile so smelt a lot more luxe-spa than old peoples home!

Unwinding and having some 'me' time is so underestimated - the environment that we relax and sleep in plays a huge part in determining the quality of our sleep. Neuroscientist Penelope Leis says 'One of the biggest influences on how you sleep is how you feel about your bed or bedroom'. After all, how good is the feeling of fresh sheets and your comfiest pyjamas?

Thanks H&B for all the sleep!