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Switch off those early morning alarms and treat yourself to a morning of relaxation and peace. Rest and reset your body by following our tips on how to achieve the perfect lie-in.
8 Min Read | By Chris Thomson
Last Modified 15 July 2025 First Added 14 November 2015
Who doesn’t want to stay in bed a bit longer? A cosy lie-in is not just for Sundays. If your body tells you you need more sleep, you should let yourself get that little bit of extra kip – especially if it’s been a long week. However, if you’re one of the 50% of people who regularly wake up before 8 am, sleeping in may not come naturally to you.
We love a lie-in, too, so we’ve done some research, including tips and advice on how to achieve the perfect lie-in.
Let’s start with the basics. A lie-in, according to Collins Dictionary, is:
If you have a lie-in, you rest by staying in bed later than usual in the morning.
Essentially, if you’re always waking up at 8AM sharp, you may give yourself an extra half hour, or more, to stay tucked up and cosy. This doesn’t always mean just doing nothing in bed, though – many people have a lie-in treat with breakfast in bed, or may choose to stay bedbound and watch a bunch of their favourite shows for a good few hours (sometimes known as bed rotting).
Both lie-in and lay-in mean the same, the only difference is your grammar and where you’re from. If you’re sticking to the older rules of grammar, Merriam Webster Dictionary says the world lay means to place something or someone down in a flat position, where lie means to be in a flat position on a surface. people can lie down. You lay something down, but you can lie down there. Most people say having a lie-in, but both are technically correct.
A lie-in isn’t just a luxury, it can actually be a gentle way to support your overall wellbeing. Allowing yourself extra time in bed occasionally can give your body and mind to recover from the demands and stress of daily life. Here’s a few benefits of having a lie-in:
Wondering how to have a lie-in and achieve a relaxing and peaceful start to your day? Below are some advice and tips to have a comfortable lie-in and improve your mood for the day.
The perfect lie-in starts the night before. Wind-down with a consistent bedtime routine. Dim the lights, put away screens, and avoid caffeine late in the day. Try a warm bath, a soothing herbal tea and read your favourite book. This will signal to your body that it’s time to relax, which can set the stage for a longer, restful sleep.
Read more: How to Create the Perfect Bedtime Routine
Your bed should be an inviting, comfortable space that you want to stay in. Invent in good quality pillows and a supportive mattress, as these can make all the difference. You should also keep your bedroom clutter-free, dark and at a cool temperate to lower stress and keep you cosy. This can encourage a better night’s rest and make spending that extra time under the covers feel like a treat.
If you enjoy screen time in bed, go for something light and low-pressure. Try one of our movies to fall asleep to before laying down, or consider a calming video game. Just be careful if you’re looking at screens before you sleep, as the blue light can disrupt the quality of rest, try to avoid it one hour before laying down.
Soft music, nature sounds, or a calming playlist can all enhance the quality of a lie-in. As you lay down, listen to sounds that help you sleep such as ASMR or white noise, as these can help soothe you into slumber. Or as you wake up, choose listening to music to ease into the day slowly.
Avoid setting any alarms the night before as that leaves you with a shock to your body in the morning. Instead, wake up naturally with the light, leave your curtains open slightly to allow the morning sunlight in. This will naturally regulate your circadian rhythm, improving sleep, mood and general wellbeing. Waking up naturally can increase your length of sleep and is a nice way to wake up gently.
Another way of waking naturally is to use a sunrise light, otherwise known as a wakeup lamp clock. These fun lights not only look great, but also help emulate the feeling of waking up with the sun by introducing natural-feeling light around your morning alarm.
It’s become a habit of many to reach for their phone or tablet as soon as they wake up. However, we recommend leaving that phone alone during your lie-in and escaping the grip of technology. If you grab your phone first thing, you’ll likely check emails, or doom scroll on social media, which can kickstart the stress hormone when you’re supposed to be relaxing.
A slow stretch or light meditation in bed can gently wake up your body while keeping your mind calm. Try lying on your back and stretching your arms overhead, rolling your shoulders, or breathing exercises. These not only can bring mindfulness into your morning, but you’ll be waking up on the right side of the bed, creating intentions as the day goes on.
Related: Why Does Stretching Feel So Good In The Morning?
Lie-ins are for luxury, so why not make it extra special and treat yourself? Whether it’s a croissant or some fruit and yoghurt with a nice mug of coffee or tea, enjoying a light breakfast in bed can make this experience more calming. Want some inspiration? Check out our breakfast in bed ideas.
As much as a lie-in is incredible, it can be a good idea to set a soft limit for when it’ll end. Don’t feel like you have to restrict yourself, instead consider setting a period of time to rise. For example, if you wake up at the following times, you could try getting up at:
These are just examples, so don’t feel as if you have to stick to them. The important thing is to not potentially lose out on your day because of a lie-in.
Many people feel guilty about sleeping in, as it feels as thought you are wasting time. But you’re not wasting time, rest is productive and can help you recharge. Remind yourself that you’re doing something good for your mind and body. Chances are, if you want a lie-in, you need it, so please listen to your body.
While there is no problem with taking care of yourself, and giving yourself a lie-in as a treat, it shouldn’t become a regular habit.
In fact, a study from The University of Michigan has found that irregular sleep cycles can lead to shifts in mood and well-being, so while the occasional late rise is fine, try not to make a habit of it.
While playing catchup isn’t the best idea for everyday life, there are studies that show catching up on the weekend can help prevent sleep restriction and induced obesity, and others, such as one from South Korea which found that a bit of catch-up on sleep can help decrease the risk of depression.
All in all, having a cheeky lie-in every now and then is no bad thing. As long as you’re getting good sleep generally, it should help give you a bit of a boost on the weekends – especially after a hard week’s work!
A lie-in is more than just stating in bed longer, but it’s an act of rest, self-care and recovery. Taking time to slow down and recharge is beneficial every once in awhile. The perfect lie-in can boost your mood, support your health, and set a positive tone for the day ahead. So go ahead, switch off the alarm, pull up the duvet and let yourself enjoy a peaceful morning.
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