It’s no secret that a good night’s sleep is essential to good health. While you sleep, your body repairs itself and replenishes your immune system. When deprived of it, it increases the risks of potential health issues, such as heart problems, obesity, and depression.
But getting a good night’s sleep doesn’t always come easily. Here are a few tips for creating a more sleep-friendly environment to help fight for better rest.
Create a Clean Space
The human mind is naturally ill-at-ease in chaotic settings. It’s why you often feel calmer in clean rooms than you do in dirty rooms. If your bedroom is dirty or cluttered, it may keep your mind from relaxing. For a more soothing space, try to take a few minutes to straighten up your space before going to bed.
Appeal to Scent
Your sense of smell connects to your mind and emotions. It’s why a nostalgic smell, like a homecooked meal, can elicit a deep response in us. So a room with an unpleasant smell can make you feel uncomfortable.
Consider deep cleaning your room when possible and diffusing essential oils with soothing scents, like lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood.
Cut Down on Electronics
The blue light from phone and computer screens has the potential to throw off your body’s circadian rhythm. Scrolling through social media can also leave the mind overstimulated, keeping you wide awake when trying to fall asleep. Because of this, it’s a good idea to set down electronics at least 30 minutes before bed.
Additionally, electromagnetic radiation, or EMR, from electronics may disrupt the body’s REM cycle, even if you aren’t naturally using them. That’s why some choose to keep electronics out of the bedroom entirely and utilize EMR shielding paint to avoid radiation from sources outside the home.
Adjust the Temperature
A room that is too warm or too cold can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Plus, it can cause unpleasant dreams. Unfortunately, there is no universal temperature that is ideal for sleep. The easiest way to create an ideal environment for sleep is to experiment with room temperatures between 60- and 67-degrees Fahrenheit.
Even if the room’s temperature is good, you may still find yourself feeling too cold or hot based on the bedding in your room. Choosing breathable sheets will help your body regulate its temperature and keep you comfortable during the night.