Appearance & atmosphere really do make a difference in the bedroom

AHHH…. That feeling of crawling into bed after a long day, we all can relate to that euphoric feeling!! But is your bedroom as relaxing as it could be?

Did you know that how you decorate, furnish and the lighting your bedroom can have huge impacts on your sleep quality. Even if you don’t want to do a complete boudoir makeover, you would be surprised at how just making a few adjustments can create a positive effect.

Lighting and Electronics

We all know that light is an important part of our sleep-wake cycle. Having natural light gives the body cues to stop releasing melatonin1, a hormone that triggers sleep. However, artificial light can trick the body into delaying sleep until long after sundown. Turning down the lights a few hours before bed mimics the natural sundown patterns which tell your body to start winding down.

Electronics emanate blue light which is why it is a good idea to turn them off at least 1 hour before bed. Some light bulbs also give off this blue light so replacing them with a warm yellow light is best or use bedside lamps with low wattage bulbs and use them for the areas you need.

Decorating

How you decorate your bedroom is where you create the atmosphere. Choosing calming colours such as grey, white, silver or pastels can really change the way you sleep. There have been a lot of studies on how colour can affect your mood, such as reds and yellows are associated with energy and stimulate appetite so colour is something that can make a huge difference.

Decluttering is a way you can help to minimise anxiety. Having messy bedside table and laundry baskets on the floor or washing not put away can contribute to anxiousness. If it’s out of sight it’s out of mind so finding a permanent home inside cupboards is key.

Noise

Using a plush rug can help muffle late night noise from bathroom trips or dropped items in the dark. Thick curtains not only block out sunlight or street lights but also muffle outside noise. If you do have a TV in the bedroom (which isn’t recommended) make sure that it is switched off an hour before sleep and avoid falling asleep in front of it.

Bedding & Pillows

We spend as much as 1/3 of our lives in bed so choosing the right mattress for you is critical. With the right mattress your bedroom with turn into a haven, so spending money on a good one is a great investment. Having the right pillow will also improve your sleep position and how well you sleep. Change your sheets once a week to make sure that they are clean and fresh. Your natural skin oils, dead skin cells, food crumbs, dirt and sweat create an unsanitary environment over time. There is no better feeling than slipping into bed with fresh clean sheets.

Sense of smell

Your sensory system is very powerful and having a calming smell like lavender has been proven to help with sleep. Using an oil burner and turning it on half an hour before bed works a treat.