When you think about it, your bedroom should actually be the one place in your home that really does help you switch off – and it’s not just somewhere to sleep, but the place where your body and mind can finally have a real break. The problem is, a lot of bedrooms turn into other things like home offices, storage spaces, or just a different place to look at social media, and that’s going to cause problems when it comes to our health. With that in mind, here are some tips for making your bedroom a healthier place.
What Is The Bedroom For?
The first step is to be honest about how you use the space – bedrooms work best when they’re mainly for rest, not for catching up on emails or watching stressful news before bed. And the more jobs a room has, the harder it is for your brain to relax in it because it won’t know what it’s meant to be doing.
If you can, keep work-related items out of sight and try to avoid using your bed as a desk or sofa. Even putting little boundaries like these in place can help your brain associate the room with rest instead of activity, and sleep should be easier to come by.
Pay Attention To Air, Light, And Temperature
A healthy bedroom should feel comfortable the moment you walk in, and fresh air is really going to help make that happen. It might sound strange, but if you open a window during the day, it can make a real difference to how the room feels by the time bedtime comes around. If that’s not possible, good ventilation or an air purifier can help keep things feeling nice and fresh.
Lighting is important to get right as well. Bright overhead lights at night can keep your brain more alert when it should be winding down, and using softer lamps or warmer bulbs can give you a calmer atmosphere and make evenings generally feel more comfortable.
Temperature is another big one – most people sleep better in a slightly cooler room, so heavy bedding and overheated spaces can work against you without you even realising. In fact, you might think you’re making things more comfortable when you’re actually not.
Choose Fabrics That Let Your Body Breathe
Whatever’s touching your skin is going to affect it and, in turn, affect how comfortable you are, which is why opting for breathable, natural fabrics is a wise choice – it’ll feel more comfortable and less restrictive, especially if you get hot or have restless sleep issues.
Wearing something like, like a cotton nightgown, can help too because it should regulate your body’s temperature and make it easier to settle down. The same goes for bedding – sheets and covers that feel soft can improve your sleep massively, and it’s a relatively small change to make if you need to.
Reduce Noise And Visual Clutter
Your brain takes in a lot more information than you realise, even when you’re trying to relax, and that means too much clutter, piles of clothes, or any kind of visual mess can make it harder to properly switch off.
Try to ensure your surfaces are clear and there are fewer distractions in your room and it will immediately feel better. And if noise is an issue, try adding some thicker curtains, rugs, or a white noise machine to quieten things down.
