How to Sleep Well on Bonfire Night: A Guide to Sleeping Amidst Fireworks

Bonfire Night is one of many Great British traditions. It’s celebrated on 5th November every year across the UK and promises a night of dazzling fireworks and festive gatherings of shared warmth – perfect for the arrival of the colder weather.

But, while the colourful light displays bring joy to many, they can make it difficult to sleep. Children, pets, and light sleepers might find that they are more sensitive to the light and noise-based sleep disruptions fireworks can cause.

If you’re looking for ways to get a better night’s sleep during Bonfire Night, here are some great (and practical) tips to help you drift off with ease, even with all the noise and excitement going on outside your bedroom window.

1. Plan your evening around the noise

Firework displays usually peak around early evening, more often than not ending by 11 PM due to local noise restrictions. So, scheduling your bedtime for a little bit later than usual could help you to sleep through the most intense bursts.

Instead of heading to bed early and being woken up by loud bangs, enjoy a relaxing evening in the hours leading up to bedtime. Once the noise quietens down a bit, your surroundings will be quieter, which should make it easier to fall asleep peacefully.

2. Create a peaceful sleep environment

The key to sleeping well amid noise is to create a calming atmosphere in your bedroom. Here’s how to achieve that:

• Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones: Comfortable earplugs can block out a lot of the sound, while noise-cancelling headphones or white noise machines can help mask the booms and crackles from the fireworks outside.
• Block out light: Many fireworks displays are also accompanied by bright, colourful lights. These too can disturb your sleep. But hanging thick curtains or blackout blinds will help keep the light out, which should lead to a darker, more sleep-friendly environment.
• White noise or relaxing sounds: White noise machines, apps, or even just the hum of a fan can provide a constant sound that might help to block out the sudden noises of fireworks. Prefer something a little more soothing? Why not try playing calming nature sounds or soft music instead.

3. Wind down with a relaxing routine

Having a proper wind-down routine helps to signal to your body that it’s time for sleep, regardless of the excitement going on outside your bedroom window.

Here are some of the best wind down ideas to help make falling asleep easier:

• Mindfulness and meditation: Deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or even a short meditation session could be just what you need to help relax your mind and body. These exercises are designed to encourage you to let go of any tension and that includes tension caused by the noise outside.
• Enjoy a Warm Drink: Herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint can help to calm your nerves and warm you up on a chilly November evening. Remember to avoid alcohol as it can disrupt sleep cycles and reduce your overall sleep quality though.
• Read a book or journal: Both of these activities are screen-free and can help you to wind down. Writing down any worries or simply expressing gratitude can help to clear your mind and prepare it for a good night’s sleep.

4. Try soundproofing hacks

If Bonfire Night noise seems to be an annual source of frustration for your household, you could consider taking a soundproofing measure or two to help dampen the noise. Ideas include:

• Insulate windows and doors: Sealing any gaps in the windows and doors with draft excluders, soundproofing curtains, or even just adding an extra layer of insulation can reduce noise levels. Furthermore, this can also keep your home warmer in winter without the need for central heating. Win-win.
• Thick rugs and blankets: Adding a couple of thick rugs to your floors and a heavy blanket or two to your bed can also help absorb sound. Fabrics provide an extra buffer between you and the outside world and also help to keep you warm on chilly nights too.

5. Use sleep aids wisely

If, come bonfire night, you find yourself tossing and turning despite your best efforts, natural sleep aids are another option you may want to have a think about. Here are two of the most popular natural sleep aids to try:

• Lavender essential oil: Just a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow or in a diffuser may help you to feel more relaxed and ready for sleep.
• Melatonin supplements: Available in some trusted health shops, Melatonin supplements can help to regulate sleep, especially if you’re particularly sensitive to noise. But if you’re considering supplements for sleep, be sure to consult your GP first.

6. Prepare pets and kids in advance

Bonfire Night tends to affect children and pets more than it does adults. Here are some of the ways you can help everyone in your family settle down when fireworks are a likelihood:

• Soothing bedtime routine: For children, a bedtime routine is a must. Try staples from your own childhood such as a warm bath, a bedtime story, or playing some soothing music. These types of activities can help them to relax properly before bed. If they’re still nervous, staying close by or letting them sleep with a favourite toy can give them a little extra comfort.
• Comfort pets: During fireworks, it’s best to keep pets indoors. Close any windows to minimise the noise and consider setting them up with their very own cosy spot in a quieter part of the house. Some pet owners find that leaving the radio or TV on can help distract pets from outside sounds too.

7. Remain calm and patient

If noise is making it tricky to fall asleep, it’s quite normal to feel a bit frustrated. But try not to worry too much about one interrupted night of sleep. Remind yourself that Bonfire Night only happens once a year, and any disruption to your sleep pattern is only temporary. Staying calm and accepting the situation can help to reduce stress, which in turn should make it easier to get back to sleep.

Bonfire Night: final thoughts

Bonfire Night can be a challenging time for light sleepers. But with a little planning and a few comforting habits, it’s possible to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest. Apply the measures outlined in the guide to help minimise the disturbances Bonfire Night causes for a more restful experience this year. And if all else fails, remind yourself that it’s only a night or two of disrupted sleep.