As part of mental health awareness week we interviewed Nicola Elliott, the founder and creative Director of Neom Wellbeing.

With eighteen years of building the UK’s award-winning wellbeing brand, Nicola’s journey has led her to write her own book. With insights from experts on sleep, stress, energy and mood she offers advice on guiding you towards your optimal wellbeing path.

Tell us a bit about the 4 ways to wellbeing

At Neom, we believe that wellbeing is indeed a journey. Everyone's path to wellbeing is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. That’s why we make a point of highlighting the importance of making your own wellbeing journey. Your bedtime, routines and habits are different to other people so these need to be tailored to suit you and your specific needs.

We understand that the idea of wellbeing can sometimes be overwhelming, this is why we want to inspire people and show them that the journey is worth it. Throughout your life your wellbeing will change and evolve, it’s essential to embrace that change and enjoy it! It really is the small changes that will have the biggest impact.

The 4 pillars of wellbeing are sleep, stress management, energy and mood. By recognising these you can lay the foundation for a happier, healthier you.

Do you believe sleep has an impact on your wellbeing?

Without a doubt, sleep plays a very important role in your overall wellbeing. It’s not just about getting some shut-eye, it’s about nurturing your body and mind. Sleep has the biggest impact on stress, mood and energy levels throughout the day so prioritising sleep is the first step towards enhancing your overall wellbeing!

In your book you advise people to wake up at the same time every morning and go to sleep at the same time every night. We offer motorised blinds that can connect to your smart home device meaning you can set them to open and close at the same time every day! Would you recommend these to people to get on top of your sleep schedule?

Absolutely, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is crucial for optimal wellbeing. Trying to catch up on missed sleep during the weekend might sound like a great idea, but this can lead to what’s known as a “sleep hangover”. This occurs when your body fails to achieve the necessary quality of sleep it needs to fully rejuvenate. It’s essential to stick to a regular sleep pattern and aim for a similar bedtime and wake up time each day. By the sounds of it motorised blinds can sound like a great way to do this and help regulate your exposure to natural light and support your body’s internal clock.

Can you discuss the importance of natural light in promoting wellbeing?

Natural light plays a very important role in regulating our sleep. Did you know our body works on a clock, and the exposure to natural light helps to tell our body when it’s daytime and when it’s nighttime. Starting your day with exposure to natural light is a fantastic way to kickstart this process. Also, try to avoid using your phone at night! The blue light can trick your body into thinking it’s daytime, which can mess up your natural sleep cycle.

Why does lack of sleep make you feel groggy?

Sleep is the absolute bedrock to resetting your whole body and there are many studies on how the lack of sleep can affect your body and wellbeing. The lack of sleep can in fact be connected to long-term illnesses and our metabolic function can be heavily affected by the lack of sleep too. Sleep interferes with our insulin levels which is the hormone needed to change sugar, starch and other foods to energy. The lack of sleep can interfere and store these as fast, making us metabolically sluggish.

How does temperature affect how we sleep?

The temperature of your room has a huge impact on the quality of your sleep. A room temperature of around 19 degrees is often recommended. Preferences may vary, so finding what works best for you is key.

In your book your state “invest in blackout blinds” why is this?

Using blackout blinds to create a dark environment is essential for good sleep hygiene. The darkness of the room will help send signals to our bodies that it’s time to rest, aiding you to fall asleep faster and achieving a deeper sleep. Blackout blinds will help to block out any outside lights, such as streetlights and help keep your room as dark as possible. Additionally, reducing clutter and maintaining a clean environment can also help to contribute to a calming and relaxing atmosphere, helping improve sleep quality.

When should you have your last coffee before bed?

It’s wise to try to avoid caffeine within six hours of bedtime. However the ideal cutoff time can vary based on the individual. It’s key to try to find the best timing that allows you to have a restful night’s sleep.

Follow our socials and keep up to date with our week of wellbeing and be in with chance to win a range of Neom products!Head over to our Instagam here.