Create A Sleep Sanctuary
HOW TO GET A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP
Did you know that one in every three people suffers from some form of insomnia? While lack of sleep can be caused by many factors, the wrong environment may add to the troubles.
Here are a few ways you can design your bedroom to help ensure a good night’s rest:
Remove excess clutter. A messy bedroom can cause anxiety and disrupt your sleep. Choose nightstands with drawers or cabinets that you can use as storage to minimize the number of items you leave out in plain view.
CREATE THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE
Make your room as dark as possible. Keeping out light is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Consider blackout shades or curtains — even a simple sleep mask can be quite effective.
Keep cool. The ideal temperature for sleep is 60–70 degrees Fahrenheit. By naturally inducing a mild drop in body temperature, a cool room helps you sleep.
Ban electronics from the bedroom. Engaging in electronics like TVs, smartphones and laptops before bedtime stimulates your mind. Plus, the blue light they emit suppresses melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleep/wake cycle.
DO'S AND DON'TS FOR THE BEDROOM
Use calming colors. Soft, soothing colors can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, so you sleep better. Think neutrals or pastel shades of blue, gray or green.
Invest in a quality mattress. A mattress that provides the right balance of comfort and support is key. Also, make sure it’s big enough to move around comfortably.
Make your bed. Regularly turning down your bed improves your pre-sleep routine and cues your body that it’s time to go to sleep.
When designing your bedroom, make sleep your highest priority. It can do wonders for helping you get a good night’s rest.
