How to Turn your Bedroom into a Sleeping Sanctuary

It is estimated that around a third of Australian adults don’t get an adequate amount of sleep. Being sleep deprived can cause stress, overeating, reduced brain function, and a significant drop in energy levels. There are many factors that can affect your quality of sleep including the kind of environment you’re sleeping in. Sleeping in a low-quality bed, in a room that’s too bright, or surrounded by too many visual stimuli can all contribute to sleep deprivation. Here are a few simple ways to transform your space into a tranquil sleeping sanctuary.

Invest in a Good Bed

A supportive bed base and mattress are crucial to ensuring good sleep as they help eliminate tossing and turning and promote spinal health. Buying quality natural fibre bed linen, and sleeping with a seasonal duvet will also help to keep your body at optimal sleeping temperature.

Make it Dark

Increasingly, artificial lights from external sources or electronic devices are keeping people awake as they suppress melatonin production (the neurochemical that makes you sleepy). Restore darkness in your bedroom by banning your electronic devices, investing in some luxurious curtains that block out the light from the street, and introducing softer lighting with lampshades, candles, or even a bohemian bed canopy.

Maintain The Temperature

While the ideal temperature of a room differs from region to region, it is important to maintain a certain temperature, especially in the bedroom. Try to keep the bedroom a little cooler than the rest of the house. Our body temperature tends to decrease as we sleep and a relatively colder room will sit well with our internal body temperature resulting in great sleep.

De-Clutter

It’s tempting to fill your bedroom with all of the things you like and find meaningful but this is probably preventing you from reaching deeper levels of REM sleep. Your brain needs white space to unwind before sleep and so keep it as neat, subdued, and empty as possible by placing your clutter into stylish storage boxes or moving it to another part of the house.

Choose a Subdued Colour Palette

Bright colours stimulate your brain and prevent it from unwinding in a similar way that clutter does. Decorating your room in a subtle colour palette like neutrals or pastels sends your brain the message that it’s time to go to sleep.

Dispense Soothing Smells

Diffusers are a great way to make your room smell better. Use essential oils with relaxing scents such as lavender, jasmine and vanilla to ensure that your body and mind are relaxed enough to give you a good sleep.

Decorate with Plants

Plants will increase oxygen and humidity in your bedroom promoting better breathing and more restful sleep. Indoor plants are enjoying a design renaissance at the moment and there are many fantastic, low-maintenance options that are small enough to place in an elegant pot on your nightstand.