Create a Healthier Bedroom

With the business and stress of life, getting eight hours of sleep can feel impossible. Poor sleep can lead to back problems, depression, anxiety, and high blood pressure. A bad night’s sleep may not be your fault, but your bedroom’s. A dusty, cluttered room isn’t going to give anyone sweet dreams. Here are some tips to make the bedroom your favorite spot in the house.

If Friday Night Lights was on the last time you bought a new mattress, it may be time for an upgrade. An eight-year-old mattress contains more than 10 pounds of dead skin cells and can cause back problems. To keep your mattress feeling new, rotate it every three months. Every two months, you can sprinkle baking soda, wait fifteen minutes, and use the vacuum to remove dead skin cells, allergens, and dust mites.

Adding houseplants to your bedroom serves as more than cute décor. At the end of a long day, taking the time to care for plants decreases stress and anxiety. Houseplants purify the air by converting the carbon dioxide to oxygen. Some plants, like English Ivy, can even rid the air of allergens like formaldehyde and benzene.

We’re big proponents of a screen-free evening. Blue light stimulates our brains and makes it hard to nod off. Avoiding screens in the evening allows your body’s natural melatonin to work. If there’s a T.V. in your bedroom, it may be worth moving it, or at least switching it off. Turning off your phone for an hour or even 30 minutes before bed will help you sleep soundly.

Having a fresh-smelling room will make bedtime relaxing. Diffusing essential oils brightens up a room and reduces stress and anxiety. Other than simply smelling great, essential oils can also be relaxing and set a mood: lavender is known to create a deep sleep, while vanilla can lower blood pressure.

Cool tones, such as blues, greys, and neutrals are easiest on your eyes. Surrounding yourself with shades of blue, green, and grey will help you unwind and sleep better. Whether you pick new pillows or paint a whole wall, try to incorporate these colors into your bedroom and see how you sleep.

Light can be incredibly disruptive for sleeping. It throws off our body’s circadian rhythm and keeps us awake. Outside light, like traffic lights or cars, can’t be helped, but protect your sleeping time by investing in blackout curtains. Heavy or blackout curtains will keep out all light and create a more peaceful sleep environment.

Laying down for a restful night sleep only to see piles of clothes and trash doesn’t put anyone in a good mood. Set yourself up for sleeping success by decluttering. Put the laundry away immediately and take out the trash. Try to remove knickknacks and any other decorations that may be distracting. Keeping your room as neat as possible will make sleeping easier.

Try these tips to start sleeping sounder and feeling more rested. Changing your room can change your mindset and bring energy at the end of each day. For more help relaxing, try meditating for 10 minutes and reset your health habits.