Sleep and rest are elusive friends. At the tail-end of a heatwave-heavy summer, and the dawn of not just a new season, but a new, more wide-awake way of living, we’re keen to make sure our energy levels are at their best. But with kids in new school routines and our work and social life gaining pace – how do we hit refresh on our sleep schedule? Consider one these immersive breaks, or building a snooze-support kit, to bolster your forty winks this autumn…

1. A nourishing yoga break at Ballintubbert

Ballintubbert House, the romantic and stylish country estate nestled away in Stradbally, Co. Laois, serves as a fantastical backdrop to its Rejuvenating Autumn Retreat, from the 29th to the 31st of October. With renowned yoga teacher Cathy Pearson as your guide, Tara O’Rourke as your wellbeing practitioner and chef Lu Thornely to serve you nourishing, fulfilling dinners, you are bound to come away feeling rejuvenated and ready for the months ahead. Delve into a true state of relaxation amidst the luxury of the house and the serenity of the gardens. Lu Thornely’s vibrant vegetarian cooking will be served to retreaters served throughout the weekend.

Meals are shared together in the dining room of the main house and dinner will be a wholesome and nutritious affair. Think heart warming Indian dal, toasted cashews, curry leaves & crispy kale; roasted squash with tahini & lemon dressing; poached autumnal fruit, infused with rosehip served with coconut yoghurt & pistachios. A robust flow of energy will be gained through Vinyasa Yoga led by Cathy, while founder of SaolBeoTara shall present self-care and skincare session, featuring Dr. Hauschka signature treatments, on Saturday afternoon. Retreat prices start from €490 per person: includes all yoga, dining and two nights luxury accommodation. Book this special getaway and secure your sleep at www.luthornely.com/retreats.

4. A soothing, silky pillow

When Dublin woman Aisling Grimley found her sleep was disturbed by the heat of a New York summer, she tried a silk pillowcase – which had the magical effect of cooling her down and improved her sleep quality. The chance discovery prompted here to do some research, and when she discovered that silk had been a sleep aid for the wealthy classes throughout history, the seed of a business idea was sown. In 2019, she created The Silk Pillowcase company, a small range of pure mulberry silk sleep accessories, and partnered with two Irish businesses, Flora+Fiona Botanicals and The Nature of Things Essential Oils, to curate sleep-supportive gift sets.

Her timing was spot-on: silk pillowcases have become a runaway beauty trend in the last two years, too, as silk fibres have proven benefits for hair, smoothing and protecting, and dermatologists recommend their smoothness, low absorption and anti-microbial properties for both acne prone and ageing skin. Visit thesilkpillowcase.com for more details.