We spend a large proportion of our time in our bedrooms, but can this space really impact our sleep patterns? Studies have shown that certain elements in our bedrooms can influence how well we sleep. Ongoing disruption to our natural sleep cycles can trigger further health issues later down the line, so it’s worth giving this some consideration. From cluttered spaces to choosing the wrong paint colour, here are some factors you may want to consider to maximise your slumber.
Comfortable mattress
First and foremost, a comfortable mattress is key to a good night’s sleep. In fact, you may be surprised to learn how much of an impact an uncomfortable mattress can have. Experts recommend that if you sleep on your side, a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress can help to cushion any impact points. Meanwhile, those who sleep on their back and stomach will benefit from a firmer mattress with light conforming.
Temperature
We all know that sleeping when it’s too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer can disturb our sleep massively. But even outside of more extreme temperature changes, your sleep could still be compromised, as our ‘body clock’ takes cues from surrounding temperatures. The recommended room temperature for sleep is 18.3 degrees Celsius, or slightly more or less than this.
Age can also influence this figure, with infants needing slightly warmer temperatures to sleep. Even a few degrees outside our optimal sleeping temperature could impact sleep. To help prevent this, you can keep the bedroom cooler by closing the blinds to reduce the amount of heat trapped during the day, opening a window or turning down the thermostat at night.
Tidiness and clutter
Clutter can be anxiety-inducing, which is the last thing you need before settling down for bed. If your final thoughts before sleep are focused on an untidy bedroom, this will set the tone for the night.
Make the effort to do a pre-bedtime sweep to tidy away any stray items. Make sure your phone is well out of reach too. You could even consider fitted furniture to help maximise your storage space and reduce any clutter that accumulates throughout the day.
Colour schemes
It’s believed that colours in your bedroom can influence how well you sleep. While it may be tempting to design the space based on your favourite colours, it’s worth considering the following benefits that certain colours can have when it comes to dictating your mood:
- Blue: Can calm the nervous system
- Green: Helps to reduce stress
- White: Is minimal and can help you to relax
- Beige: Similarly to white, it can help to reduce distraction
- Pink: May lower blood pressure
To conclude
Maintaining good sleep patterns is key to our mental health, as well as our physical health. With this in mind, it can be hugely beneficial to make small changes that could help our long-term sleep cycles – starting with a few changes in the bedroom.
