A good night’s sleep is fundamental to maintaining and improving both our physical and mental health. It is proven that during a deep sleep, our bodies heal and repair, which in turn improves concentration and productivity levels the next day. When people refer to a healthy lifestyle, usually they are focusing on a balanced and nutritious diet alongside exercise, but to fully achieve optimum health, a good night’s sleep should also be made a priority.
Many people struggle to get the recommended eight hours a night, whether that is due to restlessness, stress, disturbing noises, technological devices or the unnatural light entering your room, it is vital for the cause of your restless nights to be identified, so that you can look forward to being well rested.
We have taken a look at some of the ways you can design and transform your bedroom into a relaxing and rejuvenating space.
Lighting
Whether you are looking at your tablet or your alarm clock is digital and displays the time with a light, no matter how bright or how long you either directly or indirectly look at them, it is likely they are having a detrimental effect on your sleep. Artificial light unsettles your body’s circadian rhythm by reducing the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. By reducing the amount of artificial light into your bedroom, such as turning your phone off and switching to an analogue clock, you are ensuring that when your bedtime comes, your body is fully prepared for a good night’s rest.
Many of us go to bed when it is dark outside, making it almost impossible to find your way to your bedroom without illumination. If you do need to use lights to guide your way, ensure that the lights you do choose are of low watt and are in yellow tones, rather than bright whites.
Blackout Blinds
Not only do blackout blinds help to regulate the temperature within your home, by blocking the sun’s rays in the summer and providing insulation in the winter, they are also a great solution for blocking any external or unnatural light sources outside of your bedroom window. Lowering a blackout blind ensures no light, whether that is the sun or street lights, from emitting into your room and disturbing your sleep. Blackout blinds come in a range of forms, so you don’t have to sacrifice the aesthetics of your interior for a night of sleeping soundly. Here at Shop4Blinds, we have blackout wooden blinds, roller blinds and more, so you can find a style and colour that best suits your interior.
Declutter
If your room is messy or cluttered, it can often cause anxiety, which in turn, leads to a restless night’s sleep. It is important to keep your bedroom tidy, with your items in their designated space. This ensures your room remains both comfortable and functional, helping to limit sleep disturbances.
Colours
Many don’t consider that the colour palette of their sleeping area may well be affecting their sleep patterns. Similarly to light, it is known that different colours can affect the receptors in our eyes, which in turn, can trigger your body to either remain alert or fall into a state of sleep. It is recommended that blue, in varying colours and shades, can encourage the feeling of relaxation, while it is also known to have calming effects. Shades of yellow are also considered to help you drift off for a solid rest, while browns, reds and oranges can keep you awake. So, our advice is to stick to the calmer and cooler colours, as they can create a sense of tranquillity, helping you to prepare for sleep.
The environment you are sleeping in can have a huge effect on the quality of the nights rest you receive, by following these simple and achievable steps, you will be on your way to enjoying the much needed seven to eight hours you need!