Have you ever noticed that the slightest change can make all the difference? The older I get the harder it is for me to fall asleep. But in all fairness there are a lot of things in my bed time routine that are big ‘no-no;s’, like watching netflixs, using my phone right before bed, using my bed to check emails and such instead of just using it for sleep. Today Lisa is guest posting and is sharing a fabulous post on how to style your room for a better nights sleep.
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, a place to rest your head after a long day. It’s where you begin and end each day so you want to ensure it’s designed to support your total relaxation. If you feel like your bedroom is far from a sleep oasis, here are seven tips for creating a space that instills serenity and calm for a good night’s sleep.
1. Consider Feng Shui
If you believe in the impact of energy flow based on the placement of furniture and objects in a room, then consider guidelines for bed structure and placement that promote deeper, more quality sleep. Maintain the feng shui energy of love and healing in your bedroom. Bed guidelines in feng shui mean a solid headboard, good mattress, good frame height, and no underneath storage. See details and further guidelineson feng shui bed placement.
2. Style Your Bedside Table
You want to avoid clutter and unnecessary items on your bedside table, while carefully choosing only what you truly need to sleep to place on your bedside table. Choose a book you can cozy up with, a diffuser using essential oils, an alarm clock, and perhaps a sleep mask.
3. Add Plants
Did you know plants help you sleep? They help in two main ways. First, they are a scientifically proven stress reducer. Secondly, plants significantly curb indoor air pollution that can prohibit sleep, since toxins can cause irritation, swelling and congestion of airways. When picking out a plant or two for your bedroom, see top ten plants for removing toxins from your home.
4. Pick a New Room Color
When picking out a color palette for your room, realize that there is a color psychology that will determine how this color impacts your mood and energy. Light shades of blue are ideal for establishing calming serenity, where yellow and green are a close second. Steer clear of warm tones like red, orange, brown, and purple, which stimulate and energize.
5. Control Your Lighting
Make sure and avoid harsh overhead lighting involving fluorescent bulbs. Choose incandescent bulbs for a soft, warm glow. Red bulbs are great for stimulating melatonin production and hence sleep, so consider a string of them near your bed. Pick the right light bulbs for you. Since light is a natural suppressor of melatonin, limit how much light you are exposed to an hour before your sleep. Consider a dimmable switch in your bedroom as well.
6. Make Your Bedroom Just for Sleep
As you are styling your ideal sleep haven, remember to make your bedroom just for sleep. Remove exercise equipment, work documents, and anything non-sleep related that can increase stress and the number of distractions. While you are at it, remove phones, tablets, and any other electronic device that can distract you. No scrolling through social media in bed! The light emitted from such devices delays your falling asleep.
7. Minimize Noise
Eliminate sound by customizing your walls and windows. Consider a white noise machine, ear plugs, or headphones. Avoid running appliances near bedtime, and move your bed in your room so it is not adjacent to the laundry room, for example. You can’t control all distracting noises around you, but consider asking the people you live with to turn down the TV or otherwise keep noise to a minimum.
You can make these simple, affordable changes in order to transform your bedroom into a sleep haven. Have fun with your decor, making it your ideal place for building peace and serenity.