A good night’s sleep is the most restorative, needful thing for our health and wellbeing, but the epidemic of insomnia is affecting more and more of us. In fact, a survey by The Sleep Council revealed that nearly half of us only get six hours or less each night. With news that sleep can help a range of conditions from controlling our weight and anxiety to reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s, we all need to prioritise catching enough rest. But is your bedroom enough of a restful space?
Because we live in a world where money is needed to survive, Latte Lindsay runs a number of affiliate programmes and offers contributed or partnered content. If you choose to click the links and read the posts, the site may earn a commission or receives a payment. All of the opinions are my own. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any partner brands/company(s), beauty & lifestyle brands, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities unless specified.
There are some simple steps you can take to make sure your bedroom is primed and ready for you to get the best night’s sleep.
Check Your Nest
Designing a sleep-friendly bedroom, half the battle is getting your actual bed in peak condition. The study found that most of us haven’t replaced our mattress in the last decade, while a bed may have deteriorated as much as 70% from it’s new condition after 10 years. So it could be time to select a new bed- only wise when you think of how much time we spend in them. As well as selecting a supportive mattress that is the right amount of firm, invest in hotel quality pillows and a goosedown duvet that regulates your temperature correctly.
Get The Lighting Right
To create a restful and relaxing space, the lighting is of crucial importance. Fitting a dimmer switch or getting in some softly illuminated lamps will promote relaxation, regulating your body and telling your brain that it’s time to relax. It’s also worth considering window coverings like blinds or curtains that contain a blackout lining. Curtains should cover floor to ceiling and allow at least 18 inches either side to minimise unwanted light. Wooden plantation shutters are becoming more popular as a stylish alternative and give you the ability to alter the light balance or eliminate it almost completely. If you don’t have the budget to change your window treatments, consider a sleep mask. Silk eye masks filled with lavender
The Finishing Touches
An aromatherapy diffuser is also a useful addition to your space if you’re struggling to sleep – the power of essential oils to influence our state of mind can be considerable. Keep to clean lines and restful, soft colours in your design of the bedroom, and add texture with fluffy cushions, throws and blankets to put you in a relaxed frame of mind as soon as you enter the room. Using the same range of tonal colours and only restful patterns will create a harmonising feel. Too many bright competing colours or patterns won’t contribute to your mental destimulation in the evening. Greenery such as flowers or potted plants will freshen up the atmosphere and have a calming effect on the mind too.
With just a few simple additions, your bedroom can become a relaxing haven and help you get the best night’s sleep possible.