It’s easy for us to forget that our bedrooms are where we spend the majority of our lives. Dependant on your sleeping pattern, between 6 and 10 hours every single day is spent in bed sleeping. It’s safe to say that having the right kind of environment to sleep in can help us feel better in our day to day lives. There is a good deal of science that shows how where we sleep can affect the quality of the rest we have. Here’s a few things you can look at if you want to create a mindful space in your home.
Light
There have been a great number of sleep studies and forms of published research that examine the impact that light and colour has on our psychology. Our brains are hard wired to respond to natural light, and its absence can cause us to act in different ways. Having thick curtains can help you have a deeper sleep in summer months when the sun rises earlier. If you’re struggling to wake up during the winter, blue light is shown to help our brains activity when we wake up.
Space
There are a number of factors that can come in to play when you look at your bedroom, and the way it is laid out. Having space to move around both first thing in the morning and last thing at night helps your sleep cycle become well embedded. Some floor plans of well set-out bed rooms can give you an idea of how to best arrange your furniture to ensure you maximise space.
Comfort
Getting a good night’s sleep hinges on how comfortable you are. This part of the puzzle is the most important as you won’t fall into a deep REM sleep if you’re uncomfortable in your own bed. Many double bed frames can sag in the middle, and mattresses lose their springiness over time. Investing in a new bed, or spending a bit of money on a quality mattress can help you get better night’s sleep for a good couple of years.
Heat
The parameters of this change dependant on what type of climate you live in. If you’re nearer the equator, temperatures can remain constant throughout the year, whereas if you live far to the North of South, you might experience more extremes in temperature. A thick tog in your duvet will help you sleep through the night when winter comes around. Creating a flow of air in the summer months is vital for a good night’s sleep. Some of the many extractor fans can help with this.
Technology
Thanks to the rise of smartphone technology, many of us are going to bed but not sleeping till much later. If you find that you’re tucked up in bed, but looking at a phone screen you’re likely to be causing subconscious problems within your brain. You’re in the place where your brain is used to switching off, but concentrating on a bright screen, which can lead to sleep problems. Learn to put the phone down and enjoy some well-earned sleep.
