If you’re getting enough sleep, you’re spending about eight hours snuggled under the covers every day. That means that one-third of your life is spent in the comfort of your own bed. Crazy, huh? When you take this into account, the importance of creating an environment conducive to sleep is clear. Curating your bedroom accordingly may seem like a daunting task, but there are simple tips you can use to transform your space into a sleep haven.
1. Your mattress matters.
We strongly believe that you can’t know if a mattress is “the one” until you’ve slept on it in your own home. Opt for a mattress with a guarantee so you can experience it before you fully commit. It should help you drift off into a deep sleep and wake up without aches and pains. Your mattress is the key to a good night’s sleep.
2. Get touchy-feely.
We all want our bedding to look good, but the most important characteristic of your sheets should be comfort. How do they feel against your skin? Do you want to curl up in this fabric every night? If the answer is yes, you’ve met your match. Same goes for your duvet cover, comforter, throws, and pillowcases. Don’t forget to take comfort into account for pillows, too. Compare different fillings and weights to try the feel of both pillows and comforters before committing.
3. Opt for calming hues.
Neutral or muted tones can help make your bedroom feel like a calm space. Light pastels are also a great option! Painting your bedroom walls these colors can help make your bedroom feel like a calming space, which is conducive to helping you unwind at the end of the day. If you feel inclined to incorporate a pop of color, try a bright throw pillow or a piece of artwork to spice up your space.
4. Close the blinds.
Since your sleep cycle is impacted by light and dark cues, you can help your body prepare for sleep simply by drawing the blinds and flipping the light switch. Don’t forget to open the blinds as soon as you wake up in the morning. Let your body know when it’s time to go to sleep and wake up by adjusting the light in your environment.
5. Ditch the clock.
Turn your clock away from you so you can’t see it from your bed. A glimpse of the time during the night can cause you unnecessary stress about how much longer you can sleep before you have to wake up in the morning.
6. Nix the clutter.
Keep your bedroom as organized as possible. Each item should have a designated space, gadgets included. Noises from your cell phone, tablet, or computer can contribute to fragmented sleep, as can the blue light these devices emit. Be sure to strategically organize your space with this in mind. You might have to do a bit of spring cleaning, but a clean room makes it easier to feel calm (and to find things!).
7. Keep it cool.
A bedroom that is too hot or too cold can interfere with quality ZZZs. Think Goldilocks: the temperature has to be just right. Set the thermostat to between 60° F and 67° F for optimal sleep.
These simple tips can help you transformation your bedroom for some of your best ZZZs to date.