According to 2021 statistics, 36% of UK adults struggle to fall asleep at least once a week. If so many of us find it hard to switch off before we fall asleep, what can we do to improve this? Well, luckily we have a few helpful tips to help you create a relaxing sleeping space, so you can get that well-deserved good night’s sleep!
Darkness
Unless you’re not a fan of the dark, it’s a good idea to make sure you sleep in complete darkness to help your brain switch off.
We’d recommend you invest in some blackout blinds or curtains to block out any light coming in from your windows. This would be especially helpful if you have any street lights directly outside your home.
If you prefer to have a nightlight in your room, perhaps find one that has a dimmable feature, so you can have it to a brightness that’s comfortable for you and that will also allow you to fall asleep easily. Warmer light also creates a more cosy and relaxing atmosphere, consider a Himalayan Salt Lamp for the added health benefits.
Ditch the Electronics!
According to The Sleep Foundation, watching TV before you go to bed negatively impacts your quality of sleep. Your exposure to blue light before you sleep (which comes from most phones, tablets, computers and televisions) affects your circadian rhythm, which is the internal process in everyone’s body that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. If you need any devices in your room before bed (i.e. your phone for your alarm in the morning), keep it out of arm’s reach and avoid using it for an hour before bedtime.
Instead of browsing social media before bed, read a book, soak in the bath or participate in a nighttime yoga or meditation class.
Noise
We can’t always control outside noise that might disturb our sleep, however, there are ways to block this out! Whether you’d prefer to create white noise by having a fan on during the night or wearing earbuds to block out the noise, all we recommend is to do whatever makes you comfortable!
Your Bed & Mattress
If your mattress is lumpy, torn or if you wake up feeling sore, it’s probably time to buy a new mattress! Mattresses are made to last for up to 10 years, and they can be quite pricey. However, you have to remember that we spend almost 1/3 of our lives asleep, so a good mattress is an investment for better sleep.
Although online shopping seems like the future, we’d still recommend doing physical bed shopping. Go and lie down on various mattresses at your local mattress retailer and see which one fits you best!
Also, if you find yourself fluffing up your pillows during the night or your head doesn’t feel comfortable when you’re asleep, it’s time to buy some new pillows too!
Colours & Decor
Neutral colours and soft furnishings on your bed and in the bedroom can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed. Blue and green have also been suggested as more calming colours, so consider adding these to your sleeping space. If you need some more guidance, check out our blog on bedroom colour schemes.
Decorating your bed with extra cushions and throws can make it a more comfortable space for relaxing as well as sleeping. If you like the way your bed looks, you’re bound to feel more comfortable falling asleep in it!
Reduce Clutter!
Our stress levels are very easily affected by mess and untidy spaces, especially in rooms where we’re meant to relax and unwind! Make it a habit of putting dirty clothes in your laundry hamper and putting clean clothes away in your wardrobe, so they’re not piling up in your bedroom. If you’re struggling for wardrobe or storage space, we can help by creating made-to-measure wardrobes to fit your bedroom, and help you to organise your sleeping space.
Make sure any drinks glasses next to your bed don’t pile up, and if you can, avoid eating in your room so dirty plates or food debris don’t start appearing. While odour doesn’t usually wake us from sleep, it can make it much harder to relax if you can still smell your dinner while in bed!
Did you find these tips useful? We’d love for you to let us know what you think! If you’re looking to improve your storage and reduce the clutter in your space, you can give us a ring on 01536 697996 or send us an email at info@madeinteriors.uk.
Recent Comments