Building Better Bedtimes: Join Our Free Webinar Sponsored by Zello

Are you a parent of a young child aged between 12 months and 5 years? Do youdream of easier, more peaceful bedtimes? We’re excited to announce a specialfree webinar, hosted by The Sleep Charity, and sponsored by Zello. 📅 When: Tuesday, February 4th🕑 Time: 2:00 PM📍 Where: Online – join us wherever you are. Our expert host, Vicki Beavers, CEO of The Sleep Charity, will share invaluableadvice and practical strategies to help parents create better bedtime routines foryoung children. Whether you’re navigating the chaos of toddler sleep resistanceor figuring out the best ways to transition your preschooler into their big-kid bed,this webinar is designed to give you the tools and confidence to foster healthiersleep habits. Why This Webinar Is a Must-AttendBuilding better bedtimes isn’t just about routines; it’s also about understandingwhat your child needs to feel calm, safe, and ready for sleep. During the session,Vicki will explore key topics such as: Creating a consistent bedtime routine that works for your family. Signs of sleep deprivation Understanding the role of the bedroom environment in supporting restful sleep. The Role of the Bedroom in Better SleepDid you know that the right bedroom setup can make all the difference insoothing your little one and encouraging a smoother transition to sleep? Acalming environment helps children feel secure and relaxed as they wind downfor the night. Night Lights and Soothing SoundsFor many young children, a soft night light or gentle background sounds canprovide reassurance, making the bedroom feel like a cosy, haven. Night Lights: A dim, warm light can help children feel less afraid of the darkand make the transition from awake to asleep easier. Look for lights withadjustable brightness to avoid overstimulation. Soothing Sounds: White noise machines, calming lullabies, or nature soundscan mask household noises and create a tranquil environment that lulls yourchild to sleep. However, consistency is key. If a child falls asleep to music, it’soften best to continue this through the night. Or we recommend usingsounds/music as part of a bedtime routine and switch off just before sleep.These simple additions to your child’s sleep environment can minimise stressand bedtime struggles, helping parents and little ones alike enjoy a more restfulnight. If you'd like to learn more about how you can build better bedtimes, make sure to register here!

Hacking Your Winter Sleep Routine

As the nights grow longer and the temperatures drop, many of us find ourselves feeling a little more tired than usual. Winter has a way of coaxing us into hibernation mode, but with the right strategies, you can turn this season into a time of restorative, rejuvenating sleep. Here are our top tips for hacking your winter sleep routine and waking up refreshed, even on the darkest mornings. 1. Embrace the Darkness – But Not Too Much Shorter days can make it tempting to crawl into bed at 6 pm, but it’s important to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Use blackout curtains or window film to block out artificial light at bedtime but ensure you’re exposed to natural light during the day to keep your circadian rhythm in check.  2. Create a Winter-Ready Sleep Sanctuary Make your bedroom a cozy haven against the winter chill. Switch to warmer bedding, layer up with blankets, and keep the room slightly cool (between 16–18°C is ideal for sleep). Add a humidifier to counteract the dry winter air and help you breathe easier. 3. Optimise Your Evenings for Rest Winter evenings are perfect for unwinding, so take advantage of the season to establish a calming bedtime routine. Dim the lights, turn off screens an hour before bed, and indulge in a relaxing activity like reading, journaling, or meditating. Incorporating soothing sounds like white noise or gentle rain can help signal your brain that it’s time to wind down. 4. Use Zello’s Smart Features to Wake Up Gently Waking up to a blaring alarm on a frosty winter morning is nobody’s idea of a good start. That’s where our Zello white noise machine comes in! With our app-controlled features, you can schedule your wake-up to a warm orange light paired with calming bird songs or gentle ocean waves. This gradual wake-up method mimics a sunrise and helps your body wake up naturally, even if it’s still dark outside. 5. Stay Active During the Day It’s easy to get into a sedentary rut during winter, but staying active is key to better sleep. Try a brisk walk, yoga, or even a dance session to keep your body moving and your sleep hormones balanced. Bonus: exercise can also help combat the winter blues! 6. Watch What (and When) You Eat Winter comfort foods are a joy, but heavy, carb-rich meals right before bed can disrupt your sleep. Opt for a lighter evening meal and limit caffeine or alcohol intake, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime. Instead, sip on a warm herbal tea like chamomile or peppermint to wind down. 7. Lean into Winter’s Natural Rhythms Winter invites us to slow down, rest more, and recharge. Don’t fight it! Listen to your body’s cues and give yourself permission to enjoy a little extra rest. Think of it as a seasonal reset that prepares you for the brighter, busier months ahead. With a few thoughtful changes, winter doesn’t have to leave you feeling groggy and sluggish. From creating the perfect sleep environment to leveraging Zello’s smart wake-up features, there are plenty of ways to enhance your winter sleep routine. Here’s to cozy nights and bright mornings—even when the sun isn’t quite ready to rise!

How To Crack Your Sleep Routine

A good nights sleep is just as important as regular exercise and healthy eating. There are countless studies showing the negative effects on your hormones and brain function when you don't get enough sleep. On top of weight gain and increased risk of illness, there are so many reasons why getting a good night's sleep is so important. Here are some tips on how to get yourself into a fail safe sleep routine. Reduce Blue Light Exposure In The Evening Whilst exposure to light is beneficial during the day, night time light exposure from screens, can trick your brain into thinking it is still day time, which in turn reduces hormones like melatonin that help you relax and get to sleep. If you're at a computer all day, try reducing the time you spend staring at your phone when you get home in the evening. Instead take a warm shower, read a book or listen to some relaxing sounds on your LUMI sound machine to help get your body get ready to fall asleep. Optimise Your Bedroom Environment Your bedroom environment plays a huge role in your sleep routine. It's important to only get into bed when you feel tired and not to associate your bed with anything other than sleep or relaxation. Ensure your bedroom isn't too hot or too cold - the ideal temperature being around 18 degrees. Finally, optimise your environment by blocking out external noise and any artificial lights. The white noise from your LUMI device is a great way to drown out unwanted sounds which may otherwise wake you up.  Wake Up And Fall Sleep At A Consistent Time  It's been proven that getting into bed at the same time every evening and waking up at the same time every morning is incredibly beneficial when it comes to forming a sleep routine. By stabilising your circadian rhythm, this can help you to fall asleep quicker and have a more restful nights sleep. Whilst it's okay to have the occasional late night on a weekend, a consistent routine with your sleep is key to you working to your full potential during the daytime.  Let us know in the comments if you have any other top tips for getting a restful nights sleep!

We've All Heard About White Noise - But What About Pink & Brown Noise?

We all want better sleep, right? One way to achieve that is by using different types of soothing sounds, like white, pink, and brown noise. You have probably already heard of white noise, a calming hum that helps you sleep better. But there's more to discover with both pink noise, which sounds like steady rain or ocean waves, and brown noise, which is deeper and rumbling like heavy rain or a strong shower. All of these sounds have some unique benefits - why not give them a go? The Wonder of White Noise White noise is like a soothing hum that combines all the sounds you can hear. Imagine the soft, steady sound of a fan or TV static. White noise is excellent for improving your sleep because it acts like a sound blanket, covering up other noises that might wake you up. It's also great for helping you concentrate, especially when there's a lot of noise around. It's like creating your own little world of calm and focus. Diving into Pink Noise Pink noise is a bit deeper and even more calming than white noise. Think of it as the gentle sound of a steady rain shower, the wind gently rustling leaves in a forest, or the relaxing waves at the beach. Pink noise helps you unwind and sleep better because it masks or muffles other sounds. It's like having your personal lullaby to help you doze off peacefully. Getting to Know Brown Noise Brown noise, also sometimes called red noise, is like a deeper, rumbling sound. It's more bass-heavy than pink and white noise. Picture the deep, steady sound of heavy rain pouring outside your window or the strong, soothing rush of water from a powerful shower. But here's an interesting twist: studies have found that brown noise can help people who have a ringing sound in their ears, a condition known as tinnitus. Using Coloured Noise for Better Sleep If you're thinking about trying these sounds to help you sleep, we've got you covered. Our LUMI White Noise Machine Pro offers both white and pink noise options. If you want even more choices, our app-connected machine includes white, pink, and brown noise. Why not give it a go and discover how these unique sounds can help you to get a longer, deeper nights sleep.

Why Red Light Needs To Become Part Of Your Bedtime Routine

What's the connection between the colour of light and helping your little one drift off to sleep? Well, it turns out that certain colours, like amber and red, have unique properties that make them ideal for bedtime. These hues boast longer wavelengths compared to other colours and have a lower temperature than the bright sunlight. This combination of characteristics gives amber and red a warm, soothing quality that can work wonders in promoting a good night's sleep. Red Light Combats The Adverse Effects Of Blue Light The magic of red light lies in its ability to counteract the adverse effects of blue light, which we all know can wreak havoc on our sleep patterns, especially when it comes to infants and toddlers. With the increasing screen time children are exposed to, blocking or neutralising the harmful impact of blue light has never been more critical. Some people resort to blue light blocking glasses in the evening, but for the youngest members of the family, falling asleep to the gentle glow of red light can be a natural and effective solution to mitigate the disruptions caused by blue light. This red light not only helps them doze off peacefully but also ensures a restful night's sleep. Red Light Alleviates Fear Of The Dark Red light can also come to the rescue for parents dealing with toddlers who are afraid of the dark. It's not uncommon for children as young as 18 months to experience fear of the dark. Night lights are often introduced to provide comfort, but sometimes they can unintentionally disrupt sleep patterns. However, by switching to red lights instead of the conventional white ones, you can create a comforting and soothing environment that helps your child sleep soundly without being fearful of the dark. Looking For A Red Light Sleep Solution? If you're on the hunt for a sleep solution that incorporates the benefits of red light, look no further. The Zello Original White Noise Machine and the Zello Portable White Noise Machine Pro Max offer the perfect combination of calming red light and soothing sounds!