The Gift of Sleep

Thoughtfully chosen to inspire moments of rest and relaxation, our sleep gift edit features cosy throws, beautifully scented candles and comforting hot water bottles. Designed to bring warmth and tranquillity to the bedroom, each piece makes a thoughtful gift for anyone looking to unwind at the end of the day.
  • Heals Alphabet Mug Heals Alphabet Mug A
    By Heal's
    Heals Alphabet Mug
    £19
  • Kantha Velvet Bedspread Steel Blue 140cm x 200cm Kantha Velvet Bedspread Steel Blue 140cm x 200cm
  • Wild Fig Scented Glass Candle Wild Fig Scented Glass Candle
  • Kantha Velvet Bedspread Toffee Kantha Velvet Bedspread Toffee 140cm x 200cm
  • Dusk Purple Orchid & Mandarin Scented Glass Candle Dusk Purple Orchid & Mandarin Scented Glass Candle
  • Dusk Petitgrain & Fig Scented Glass Candle Dusk Petitgrain & Fig Scented Glass Candle
  • New Zealand Long Wool Sheepskin 90 x 60cm New Zealand Long Wool Sheepskin 90 x 60cm Rosa
    2 Colour options
  • Luxury Fleece Long Hot Water Bottle Luxury Fleece Long Hot Water Bottle Navy
    2 Colour options
  • New Zealand Curly Sheepskin 90 x 60cm New Zealand Curly Sheepskin 90 x 60cm Ivory
    2 Colour options
  • Bell Alarm Clock Bell Alarm Clock Black
    3 Colour options

    Small upgrades to the sleep environment consistently punch above their weight, with silk pillowcases, a quality eye mask and a small bottle of sleep mist being standouts. Pairing two or three coordinated pieces creates a considered sleep set. Quality over quantity matters more in this category than most.

    Silk pillowcases feel noticeably cool and smooth compared to cotton, and they reduce hair friction and facial creasing that some sleepers find affects their morning appearance. Mulberry silk of 19 or 22 momme offers the best balance of quality and price. They need gentle hand or machine washing to maintain the finish.

    Weighted throws use light even pressure (typically 4 to 7kg spread across the body) to create a sense of being gently held, which many people find calming before sleep. Research into deep pressure stimulation suggests benefits for anxiety and restlessness. Most users either take to them immediately or find them uncomfortable; there's little middle ground.

    Lavender remains the best-researched bedtime fragrance, with evidence of calming effects on the nervous system. Bergamot, chamomile and sandalwood are other established options. Pillow mists and bedside diffusers deliver the scent without open flame, which is safer near sleep spaces.

    • The Science Of Sleep: What’s A Latex Mattress?
      Buying Guides
      The Science Of Sleep: What’s A Latex Mattress?
      Forget memory foam, a natural latex mattress is the last word in responsive comfort and support. See how they compare with our short guide to all things latex mattresses. What is a latex mattress? Harvested from the sap of rubber trees, natural latex is a remarkable material that is flexible, breathable and hypoallergenic. In order to extract the latex, rubber trees are hand scored with small wooden bowls strategically placed to collect the liquid sap as it runs down the trunk. This is a long-winded process with each tree producing on average just 27ml sap per day. Once the liquid latex has been collected it is whipped using an industrial mixer and injected into a vacuum-sealed aluminium pin-core mould. This is then flash cooled to -30 degrees Celsius before being reheated to +115 degrees Celsius to ensure the latex is solidified. Why should I buy a latex mattress? Compared to a regular mattress, a natural latex mattress offers superior softness and support when sleeping. This is particularly the case for those who suffer joint or back pain. By adjusting to the contours of your body, the natural latex mattress reduces the stress on those otherwise neglected pressure point areas. Latex mattresses are also ideal for those suffering from allergies. The latex mattresses hypoallergenic properties mean it is resistant to dust mites, mildew and mould. Another benefit of a latex mattress is its longevity and durability, especially compared with a regular mattress. It’s fair to say that when you purchase a latex mattress, you’re making an investment in your sleep that’ll last for a long time. Which latex mattress should I choose? Pocket sprung mattresses with latex ensure you get all the comfort of pocket sprung mattress as well as all the responsiveness and comfort of a latex mattress. For those looking for the ultimate night sleep, a natural talalay latex mattress, such as our Reflex Layered mattress, is the way to go. Talalay latex offers much-needed support for the body whilst at the same time allowing freedom of movement. This is particularly handy if you toss and turn a lot when sleeping or sleep on your side. Does a latex mattress get hot? The natural ventilation properties of latex mean that unlike other types of contemporary mattress, a natural latex mattress will maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year not to mention the night. We recommend that you pair your mattress with a mattress cover made from natural fibres that allows breathability. What’s the difference between latex and other mattresses? Unlike regular mattresses, a latex mattress is constructed using foam made from the natural sap of the rubber tree. As a result, latex mattresses offer an environmentally friendly alternative and a comfy one at that. Latex versus Memory Foam The hypoallergenic nature of latex mattresses makes them ideal for people who suffer from allergies and are often more sustainably made. In contrast, memory foam should be considered by anyone looking for a much more tailored mattress or for those with an allergy to latex. Latex versus Pocket Sprung Compared to a pocket sprung mattress, a latex mattress offers superior support for sleepers. This is particularly the case for those who suffer joint or back pain. Latex is also naturally hypoallergenic. We combine naturally harvested latex with both foam and pocket spring mattresses. Latex versus Organic Organic wool mattresses are excellent at keeping you cool in hot rooms, whilst organic wool offers a softer and more luxurious sleeping experience. However, when it comes to mitigating allergies and health conditions, a latex mattress is the best way forward. Made from natural latex, the lack of fibres means that less allergies are able to collect.
    • How To Get The Perfect Night's Sleep
      In People’s Homes
      How To Get The Perfect Night's Sleep
      Ever wondered why we need sleep or are you simply tired of restless nights? Let our guide to getting the perfect night’s rest demystify the science of sleep and help you create your very own sanctuary. We’re all familiar with the old saying ‘there aren’t enough hours in the day’ yet many of us are guilty of not giving our minds the rest it deserves whether that be through lifestyle choice or how much we invest when purchasing Bedroom furniture. So how does sleep improve our day to day lives and what things can you do to make sure you get are getting enough? The benefits of sleep While people are happy to shell out thousands of pounds on fad diets, skincare products and their morning coffees, many of us neglect the one thing that is proven to make you happier, healthier, more intelligent, more attractive and add years to your life – sleep! Sleep is something of a biological enigma. We know we need it but we can’t pinpoint exactly why. Researchers believe that the primary function of sleep is to allow our brains to recover from the stresses of the previous day, however, we also need it to maintain our organs and immune system. Other ways in which sleep improves our overall well-being: Sleep is important for retaining information – those with good memory recall are more likely to have had a proper night’s sleep You learn during the night – get a good night’s sleep and you’ll be up to 17% better at a task the next day The sleepier you are the more you crave sugary and fatty foods - if you only get half your required sleep you will eat up to 1000 calories more because you are tired (that’s roughly three donuts) Not only are you less motivated to exercise but if you do so when sleepy you are 35% more likely to suffer a sports related injury. How much sleep do you need? Sleep is crucial to children’s development and just half an hour less than a child’s required sleep amount can have a negative impact on both mental and physical health. Typically a new born child requires 16-20 hours a night where as a ten year old will need approximately ten hours of sleep. It is also recommended that until a child is six they should have at least one long nap during the day. Teenagers generally need to sleep longer than adults, approximately between nine and nine and half hours, as they are going through puberty. Once you get to your early twenties, however, your sleep need (the amount of time sleeping) becomes fixed for life. This is different for everyone and can range anywhere between three to eleven hours a night. The simple test to find out how much sleep you need is whether you feel happy and alert or sleepy and miserable. Try recording how long you sleep each night to get a measure of your mood and it will soon become apparent whether you are a six or eight hour sleeper. What to look for when buying a luxury mattress We spend up to one-third of our lives in bed, so investing in a quality made mattress isn’t so much a luxury as a necessity. Everyone’s idea of comfort is different - which is why we recommend laying on a mattress before committing to a purchase so that you can genuinely get a feel for it - however there are a few basic things to look out for. Does the mattress allow you to easily move? We naturally move between 40 to 60 times a night not only to relieve pressure on certain parts of the body but also to maintain body temperature by moving to the cooler side of the bed. Does it provide comfort and support in every position? The position you fall asleep or wake up in is not the same as the position your sleep throughout the night. What is it made from? Natural fibres provide breathability, keep you cool and wick away moisture whereas synthetics materials will lead to overheating during the night. Are you getting the correct support? Your spine needs to be straight when laying on your side while on your back the natural curve of the spine needs to be preserved – a good test is whether you can fit your hand underneath the small of your back. Have you tried it with a pillow? No sleep specialist worth their salt will try to sell you a mattress without providing a pillow to test it. We even recommend buying your pillows at the same time as the mattress so that you can find the perfect match. Shop Mattresses Creating the ideal environment It’s not just the furniture that can affect your sleep, but the type of environment you create within your bedroom. Here are a few simple tips for making the space more conducive to rest: Lights out: the bedroom should ideally be pitch black but failing that as dark as possible. Thick curtains or dark blinds are an effective way of blocking out light. Keep the noise down: the World Health Organisation claims that anything above 35 decibels will disrupt sleep, so it’s important that the bedroom is the quietest space in the home. Remove technology: in an ever more connected world it’s becoming harder and harder for us to switch off. The bedroom should be designed solely for sleep, so turning off your phone before bed and removing the television will help avoid any such distractions. Don’t overheat: our bodies need to drop half a degree in temperature during the night, so the bedroom needs to be cool (between 16 and 18 degrees) while the bed itself needs to be warm. Provided you are sleeping under a Tog 15 duvet, you will rarely need to run your heating overnight in the UK as the temperature is not low enough. Shop Bedroom Now that you know what to look for, you can start designing your own soothing sleep space. Remember, when it comes to getting 40 winks it's not worth sparing on quality something you'll always find in abundance within Heal's Bedroom collection. Shop Now Back to top
    • We Launch Our New Sleep Studio
      Stores
      We Launch Our New Sleep Studio
      Experts in sleep since 1810, this week saw the launch of Heal's new Sleep Studio at our flagship store. To celebrate the occasion we held a special day of exclusive press events including a Heal's themed 'Breakfast in Bed' and evening drinks all within the beautiful setting of our new mattress, beds and bedding department. Shop Sleep Breakfast in Bed: to kick start the day there was an exclusive breakfast morning in which select members of the design press enojyed a specially curated menu in our new Sleep Studio. Sonny side up: the beautifully prepared breakfast menu came courtesy of the Ambrose Café situated just a stone's throw away on the first floor of the flagship store. A stitch in time: alongside the mornings feast one of our specialist mattress makers was on hand to demonstrate how a Heal's bed is filled and stitched throughout the day. Nightcap: for the evenings event we thought it only right to get everyone in a relaxed mood with gin and tonics served by Sipsmith plus a sample of their new summer cup. Rest assured: interior stylist Maxine Brady presented her top tips for a dreamy night’s sleep followed by a Q&A with the gathered bloggers, press and industry experts. ...and relax: with the drinks in full flow, our guests were also treated to massages from MILK Beauty to ensure they left feeling revitalised and de-stressed. Shop Sleep Back to top