Hours
The Better Sleep Council celebrates “Better Sleep Month” each May in an effort to promote awareness of how sleep affects our emotional and physical health. There are countless studies that show getting enough good quality sleep can have a positive impact on our weight, mood, ability to focus, and more. Here are some decorating tips for turning your bedroom into a restful, relaxing sanctuary.
Room Layout
The head of your bed should be located on a solid wall, and the foot of the bed should point away from the door. Choose a bed frame with a head board and/or a foot board for stability, and to elevate the mattress up away from the floor.
Eliminate Distractions
When you’re trying to sleep, the last thing you need is to worry about the pile of laundry you forgot to fold, or the work presentation you still need to finish. Clear all the clutter out of your bedroom, get a pet bed for your furbabies, and keep technology like TVs, laptops and smart phones out of the room, or at least turned off.
Color
Choose soothing, calming colors for the walls and bedding, such as cool blues, purples, and greens.
Temperature
Ideally, you want your bedroom temperature to be 64 – 70°F for the best sleep environment. Installing a ceiling fan in your bedroom can help keep the room cool without adjusting the thermostat for the whole house.
Light
Your body’s circadian rhythm, which is what tells us when it’s time to sleep and wake, is affected by light. Using dimmers and reading lamps in the evening will help you relax and feel sleepy. Installing room-darkening blinds, curtains or shades will help block sunlight and streetlights, so can sleep more soundly.
Mattress
For the best support, experts recommend replacing your mattress every seven years. We spend as much as a third of our lives in bed, so it makes sense to invest in the most comfortable, highest-quality mattress for your budget. We move an average of 40 to 60 times every night, but foam mattresses like Tempur-Pedic eliminate bouncing when your partner changes position, so you can sleep without being disturbed. Top off your bed with high-quality pillows and bedding that’s soft and comfortable.
Reduce Allergens
Even if you don’t have allergies, dust, pet dander, mold, and dust mites can get trapped in carpet, bedding, and pillows, causing sinus irritation that makes sleeping difficult. Changing out your wall-to-wall carpet for wood floors and area rugs will greatly reduce the amount of particles in your room. Using mattress and pillow protectors and allergen-free bedding is also a good way to block these irritants. You can also include a plant or two in your décor to help clean the air.
