Recently I met a guest at Homefield who believed that she was doing everything she could to lose weight. Early morning walks, greens on every plate, portion-controlled meals, plus the heroic effort to keep wine o’clock to just Fridays. Yet still – the scales did not budge.

For many people there is one area of health that is often overlooked and when it is not given the attention and value it deserves, it can profoundly sabotage any weight loss attempts.

So, if you’re wondering why your weight loss success has stalled, despite your best efforts, this one piece of advice could change everything.

Late night emails, blue light scrolling and 3am wake-ups could be doing more damage than the odd biscuit ever could. Don’t ever underestimate the power on the body of a good night’s sleep. Let’s explore why.

The Science behind a good night’s sleep

What good sleep really looks like

Real rest means 7–9 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Good sleep starts before your head hits the pillow – think low lighting, warm baths, herbal teas and ditching any technology at least an hour before bed.

We know it’s not always easy, especially if you’re juggling work, family, stress or experiencing the joys of perimenopause. But giving your sleep routine a little TLC can do wonders for your weight, mood and mental wellbeing.

Simple ways to sleep better

Try some simple techniques that practised daily could significantly improve your sleep:

Start with a calming wind-down ritual: perhaps some herbal tea, reading a few pages of a book, or soak in a warm Epsom salt bath for 20 minutes, (this is the perfect way to relax tight muscles). Ditch screens at least an hour before bed – blue light messes with melatonin, the hormone that helps you nod off.

• Stick to a regular sleep-wake schedule and keep late-night caffeine and heavy meals to a minimum. Foods rich in magnesium and tryptophan – like oats, bananas and almonds – can help promote restfulness, while sugar and alcohol only stimulate the brain preventing a good nights sleep.
• Need a reset to break bad eating habits? Our Detox at Home programmes are perfect for helping your body (and mind) slow down and recharge. They’re designed to support better sleep, healthier habits and that lovely lightness you feel when everything’s in sync. Life is always better when you feel good about yourself.

Make the time and effort to make sleep a priority

Somewhere along the line, we started treating sleep like a luxury – something to squeeze in after everything else. But it’s not lazy, it’s life-giving. Just like nourishing food and movement, sleep is a non-negotiable part of real wellness.

Sometimes, doing less is exactly what your body needs most.

So, is sleep the missing link in your wellness puzzle?

If you’ve been ticking all the right boxes but still feeling stuck, don’t overlook your sleep. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making gentle shifts that support your body to feel its best.

Our Detox at Home boxes and restful retreats are here to help you reset, restore and finally rest easy.