Create a sleep friendly bedroom
Good quality sleep seems like a luxury these days with demanding schedules, endless responsibilities and stress contributing to feeling restless. However, there are things we can do to improve the quality of our sleep. Sometimes a thing as simple as the way we organise our bedrooms, in combination with ordinary maintenance habits, could be depriving us of our necessary rest. Knowing what to look out for and what to change, is the first step towards creating a sleep friendly bedroom. We have created a list of simple everyday things that people often get wrong in the bedroom so you can make the changes required for a better sleep.
Create a sleep friendly bedroom by avoiding these 6 common mistakes
Deep cleaning the place only in the spring
This is a common mistake not just regarding the bedroom, but other parts of the house, as well. There is no doubt that an in-depth cleaning consumes a lot of time and effort that we cannot always spare. Nevertheless, committing to doing decluttering and intense cleaning sessions at least twice a year will prove beneficial.
For starters, it will help you avoid some unpleasant health complications that are associated with dust, such as dust mite allergy and asthma. Dust particles can easily be trapped in carpets, curtains, mattress and various upholstered furniture, extracting them completely is quite hard through a simple vacuuming. Breathing related health conditions have a huge impact on the quality of sleep a person gets during the night.
More detailed sanitation featuring specialised steam cleaning, good airing and shampooing can eliminate the accumulated pollution and preserve the fabric for longer. This will ensure good air quality in your bedroom, which is important for adequate rest.
Decorating without a clear vision of what you want
You have your own taste and an idea of what the ideal sleep sanctuary looks like. However, it is not always possible to ‘fit’ that image into your bedroom, and let’s face it – life gets in the way. When it comes to bedrooms, less is more. Try to only have things in your bedroom that you need. Too many things creates clutter, which encourages feelings of discomfort, uneasiness and even anxiety.
Giving yourself enough space will make you feel more comfortable, and you will get a more peaceful night’s sleep. Even better, you will be saving precious time by having to clean and maintain less stuff.
Focusing on looks and not practicality
You may be a fan of organising baskets, small pillows and all kinds of decorative elements, but this doesn’t mean that you need them all in your bedroom. When purchasing something, it’s good to make sure that the item is not only pleasing to the eye, but also practical.
This is especially important when it comes to the central element in your bedroom – the bed. Instead of focusing on a bed’s design and aesthetic, think about your comfort first.
It’s known that temperature is one of the factors that affects our sleep, so pay attention to your bed’s height. A bed that’s close to the floor could come with exposure to drafts and colder air. In addition, you will be losing out on convenient storage space, as a high bed allows you to keep things organised beneath.
Following one cleaning schedule, no matter what
Establishing a routine for the general maintenance of the bedroom takes time and persistence. It becomes a habit that could end up harming us instead of helping.
For instance, washing your sheets every two weeks seems fine, but what happens when seasons change? A rise in temperature means a change in our bodies, causing release of more body fluids and accelerated bacteria growth. This calls for a change in routine, and possibly weekly washing of sheets, even more frequent when someone has an illness.
Don’t forget about pillows and blankets, which are exposed to the same bacteria as the sheets. Warm seasons come with the necessity to dust more often, so you must learn to be flexible and adjust your cleaning routine accordingly.
Sleeping with certain plants
There is no doubting the many benefits plants have on both our physical and mental state. They clean the air, calm our eyes, relax our minds and represent our connection to nature. Some concerns exist, though, as to whether they are suitable to keep in the bedroom, due to the carbon dioxide that they release during respiration at night. The good news is that plants produce such a small amount of the gas that it doesn’t pose a threat to us.
Nevertheless, regular airing of the bedroom is recommended. Just to stay on the safe side, you can stick to plants that are recommended for this specific area by a popular NASA study. Here are some of them:
Using harmful cleaning products
Considering the amount of time we spend in the bedroom, it is essential to think about the cleaning products we use. High sensitivity, allergies and other similar conditions are easily triggered not just by dust but by chemicals in store-bought cleaners and air fresheners.
If you notice frequent sneezing, headaches, skin irritation or even breathing difficulty, these products may be the reason. Try to substitute your current cleaning supplies with greener alternatives. Whether homemade or store-bought, products with fewer chemicals are a healthier option.
Note: Label information could be misleading, and just because something says it is ‘green’ doesn’t mean it is. It pays to do a little research or get recommendations for the best products.
Please note: This article is not to be used as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional before using any sleep treatments. This post may contain affiliate links.
Love your writing and work! Really grateful and thanks for sharing.
Really glad you liked it Travis.