Most people view their bedrooms as a quiet, peaceful sanctuary from the world around them. A place to unwind from the day, relax, and prepare for tomorrow. Use some of these tips and suggestions to ensure that your sanctuary provides a restful environment.
Keep It Clean, Organized, and Uncluttered
Clutter and disorganization affect emotional well-being, cause stress, and disrupt the peace and serenity of your sanctuary. Your mind tells you to do something about it–even when you are asleep. Clutter in bedrooms takes many forms.
- Dirty dishes and cups on nightstands.
- Clothing piled on the floor.
- Books and papers.
- Work items.
- Unmade bed that greets you every night. Making your bed every morning is a productive way to start the day.
- Even clutter hidden in closets and kicked under beds makes for subconscious stress and affects peaceful sleep.
- Too much loud artwork.
- Ornaments, pictures, and knick-knacks sitting on every level surface.
Bright Lighting
Studies show that spending time in a brightly lit room before going to bed makes falling asleep more difficult. Install a dimmer switch to reduce the glare. Invest in a focused reading light. Replace bright white lights with softer yellow bulbs.
Old Mattress
The recommended lifespan of a mattress is 8 – 10 years. Old lumpy mattresses prevent sound sleep because they are uncomfortable and can cause back pain. They may also be infested by millions of dust mites.
Poor pillow and sheet choices also affect sleep quality. You may not even want to get into bed knowing that your mattress, sheets, and pillows are waiting to give you a poor night’s sleep.
Work Items
Your bedroom should be a place where you rest, relax, unwind, and sleep. Setting up a work desk and computer blurs the lines between rest and work. You will always subconsciously feel that you didn’t get something done because it is right there waiting for you. A deep restful sleep may be interrupted by thoughts and dreams of work. Best to have a dedicated workspace outside the bedroom or remove any work-related items before going to sleep.
Electronics
Phones, laptops, TVs, and other electronic devices feel indispensable. They also disrupt peaceful sleep and your bedroom. Using any electronic device before bedtime disrupts the quality and quantity of sleep.
- Phones. Blue light emitted from your phone disrupts melatonin production–making it more difficult to fall asleep. Don’t use your phone as an alarm clock. Leave it in another room for better sleep.
- Computers. Even if you don’t use it, having your work computer in the bedroom can affect your sleep badly–even if only subconsciously.
- TVs. Falling asleep while watching TV may work but the light from the TV often prevents REM rest. Also, your TV may be spying on you in the bedroom.
- Electronic Alarms. Usually have a light shining towards you all night. An unlit alarm clock removes one more small stress.
Curtains
Curtains or blinds that allow light into your bedroom make it more difficult to go to sleep and stay asleep. Switch to full black-out curtains to keep the room dark.
