Page 27 - Demo

May 2026 | Gazette Life | 27Clean, fresh sheets are a must, and in Lanzarote%u2019s summer you may need little else. Many need the sensation of some kind of covering to get to sleep though. Nightwear and pyjamas are optional, but can also be a strong psychological aid to good sleep Lanzarote can be noisy after dark, so don%u2019t be afraid to experiment with earplugs, and an eye mask can also be a real boon. BE PREPAREDIf you%u2019re having sleep problems, try thinking about your habits. Coffee, tea, alcohol and food can all affect your sleep. Exercise is usually a great idea, and will tire you physically and make you ready to sleep, but don%u2019t do it too close to bedtime. You need to calm down fully. You need to be ready to sleep before you try to nod off, and most of us will have a %u201cwind down%u201d routine that could involve TV, computer use, or reading. If it works for you, stick with it. If not, have a rethink. Booze may help you nod off, but being sedated is not the same as good sleep. There%u2019s increasing evidence that %u201cblue light%u201d from smartphones or laptops can also interfere with sleep. Knock it off an hour or so before you turn in, and lay off the scrolling on social media. Overthinking or worrying can also be a real hindrance to sleep, so don%u2019t tackle problems before bedtime, and always remember there%u2019s nothing you can do about them while you%u2019re in bed. SIESTA CULTUREOutside the resorts, Lanzarote is still arranged around the mid-afternoon siesta, although fewer and fewer people actually take one. It can be a good idea, though, recharging your batteries for social evenings and allowing you to stay sharp throughout the later hours of the day. If you do get into the napping habit, try and keep it short. If you don%u2019t, remember that your neighbours may not appreciate your afternoon DIY sessions or drum practice. HOLIDAY SLEEPAt any given time on Lanzarote, there are thousands of holiday-makers getting used to sleeping in strange beds staying up late and turning off their alarm clocks to sleep in. It%u2019s the reason why you can buy all-day breakfasts in the resorts, which are fairly quiet early on. But if you%u2019re here to relax, it%u2019s worth trying the odd early night and getting up with the lark to enjoy the bright mornings here. An early stroll, or even a dip in the sea, will really set you up for the day. Maybe experiment with a siesta, and remember that sleeping well will help you enjoy every minute of your precious time on this lovely island. %u201cIf your sleep routine isn%u2019t working for you, change it.%u201d