THE JOURNAL

Sleep is the new sex: we’re all obsessed with how much we’re getting. Our quest for a good night of it – sleep, that is – has spawned an industry that was worth an estimated $32bn in 2012, according to a report in The New York Times, and has only grown bigger since.
Today, restless sleepers with money to burn can invest in everything from smart pillows and nocturnal tracking devices to ambient lighting systems that mimic the rising sun, white noise machines that drown out the sound of the neighbour’s baby, and much more.
We’re not here to pour cold water on these inventions, many of which are backed by science. But before you splash out, it’s worth making sure that you’ve got the fundamental ingredients of a good night’s sleep in place.
Investing in a set of proper pyjamas, an eye mask or a pre-bedtime skincare regimen might not automatically deliver you eight hours of restful and restorative shut-eye every night, but what it can do is encourage good “sleep hygiene”: that is, the environment and routines required for a healthy night’s sleep.
None of this is a magic pill. You’ll have to see the doctor if you want one of those. At the very least, though, it’ll give you a reason to look forward to going to bed – and that’s surely a step in the right direction.
01.
The glass set

Staying hydrated is crucial for good sleep; the average person loses between one and three pounds of water weight every night through exhalation and perspiration. If you’re familiar with waking up in the middle of the night feeling like you’ve got a mouthful of sawdust, then a refreshing glass of water on your bedside table is an absolute essential; this carafe and glass set, from R+D.Lab, will look right at home in the most stylish bedroom.
02.
The robe

A cotton-terry robe, like this one from the premium sleepwear brand Cleverly Laundry, is just the thing for kicking around the house and brewing coffee on a lazy Sunday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t wear it before bedtime, too. In fact, there are few better ways of preparing for a good night’s sleep than running a soothing bath – more on that later – before wrapping yourself up in a cosy robe with a good book. We’re getting sleepy just thinking about it.
03.
The pyjama set

If you’ve never considered a set of pyjamas – and judging by a quick straw poll in our MR PORTER home offices, plenty of men haven’t – we urge to give them a try. A proper set, such as this one from Tekla in 100 per cent organic, breathable cotton poplin, is not only incredibly comfortable, but can also help to regulate your body temperature during the night, a vital part of the sleep cycle. As for the fetching purple-pink colour, we can’t promise that’ll help you sleep any better. But isn’t it nice?
04.
The silk sleep mask

It isn’t just long-haul traveller types that can benefit from a proper sleep mask. Light plays a major role in regulating the body’s circadian rhythms, otherwise known as your “body clock”, and any light in your bedroom – even the streetlight seeping through the gap in the curtain – can cause a disruption. Our sleep mask of choice is made by Slip from 100 per cent long-fibre silk, which has the benefit of absorbing less face cream as other materials. Speaking of which...
05.
The overnight face mask

Sisley’s a firm favourite here at MR PORTER, with more than one member of staff swearing by its anti-ageing Sisleÿum moisturiser, but it boasts a strong lineup of night creams, too. Its Masque de Nuit Velours, or velvet sleeping mask, is formulated to deeply revitalise skin that’s feeling the effects of a long and stressful day. It’s an intensive treatment so there’s no need to do it every night, but if you’re feeling like you need a good night’s rest be sure to massage it onto your face and neck before you go to sleep.
06.
The revitilising night cream

Ren’s minimalist approach to design doesn’t stop with the (undeniably beautiful) packaging. What’s inside it is just as carefully considered. Its V-Cense night cream is formulated with frankincense, an ancient ingredient known for its gentle sedative and muscle relaxant effects. It’s a great way of winding down at the end of the day – and does wonders for your skin, too.
07.
The bath oil

If you’re trying to emulate the luxury spa experience at home, you could do worse than to ask Ms Susanne Kaufmann. The fifth-generation hotelier has transformed her family property in Austria’s Bregenz Forest, Hotel Post Brezau, into one of Europe’s most sought-after wellness retreats – and the very same products used in the award-winning hotel spa are now available to use at home under the Susanne Kaufmann brand. Its Oil Bath For The Senses, infused with a calming blend of ylang-ylang, patchouli and lavender, is a highlight of the range. If you’re not ready for bed after this, it might be time to reach for the sedatives.
08.
The under-eye masks

A lack of sleep is a hard thing to hide, which is why we always keep pack of 111SKIN’s de-puffing eye masks in the fridge. Just apply them under your eyes and leave them there for 20 minutes or so for a near-instant reduction in the tell-tale puffiness that comes after a poor night’s sleep. A great one for sleep-deprived new parents, they work just as well as part of a pre-bed routine in the evening.
09.
The slippers

As the boundaries between our professional and our domestic lives continue to blur, it’s more important than ever that we find ways of signalling the end of the working day – and nothing says “I’m clocking off” than easing your feet into a pair of softly lined slippers. These are rather different from the ones your granddad wore: Desmond & Dempsey’s range of sleepwear is packed with colourful patterns and prints, such as the tiger print seen here.
10.
The cashmere socks

Sure, sleeping in socks is sacrilege to some, but to everyone else – a group we’ll refer to “the enlightened” – it’s the only way. Our suggestion? If you haven’t tried it, give it a go. And a proper pair, such as these cashmere socks from the family-owned German knitting mill Falke, is the only way to do it.