Getting enough good quality sleep at night is the key to a happier and healthier lifestyle. But more and more of us are struggling to get the sleep that our mind and body need to feel rested and alert come morning.
While there may be a wide range of explanations as to why you aren’t getting the sleep you need each night, there are a few changes you can make to ensure that healthier and more restful sleep is more likely. So, we have put together this guide on how to optimize your bedroom for a healthier sleep.
Keep it Cool
When you get into bed at night, it can be tempting to wrap yourself up warm in your duvet, but this could be one of the reasons why you are struggling to get the sleep you need. It has been scientifically proven that being too hot can make getting to sleep less likely and that the optimal temperature for a good night’s sleep is between 60 and 72 degrees, depending on the individual.
Therefore, you should make every effort to keep your bedroom cool so that it is as comfortable as possible. Experiment with the temperature in your bedroom within the range recommended, and you should find the perfect bedroom temperature for you.
Get the Right Mattress for You
The type of mattress you have contributes considerably to the quality of sleep that you experience, so it is important that you take the time to find the right mattress for you. Everyone is different, and so your mattress needs to be unique to you. It is recommended that you update your mattress every 5 to 7 years, to ensure that you get the best possible sleep.
Finding the right mattress for your specific needs can seem a tad overwhelming, especially with so much choice on offer. So, check this detailed guide from Simply Rest to help you compare the best bed in a box mattresses currently on the market.
Keep it Dark
Another way that you can optimize your bedroom for healthier sleep is by keeping it dark so that drifting off to sleep is much easier. Your body has an internal clock that detects the light changes of night and day. This signals when it is time to wake up or go to bed.
If you are exposed to light when in bed, your body’s production of melatonin will be delayed, keeping you awake for longer. We recommend that before you get into bed at night, you turn off or cover up any electronic device lights that could be visible in your bedroom, and keep the rest of the room in darkness when trying to get to sleep at night.
Maintain an Electronics-Free Zone
While the light generated by electronic devices can disrupt our body’s natural processes, it can also be distracting for our mind, causing us to lie awake at night unable to sleep. Even though it can feel great to climb into bed after a long day and relax with your favorite TV show, the TV could actually be stealing healthy sleep from you.
Research has found that electric devices can keep your mind stimulated, making sleep even more impossible. So, we recommend that you make your bedroom an electronic-free zone and reap the sleep benefits.
There is little worse than lying awake at night, tossing and turning, desperate to get to sleep ready for the day ahead. But a few simple changes to your bedroom environment can make getting sleep much easier and leave you feeling healthier and happier overall. You will be surprised at how much of a difference these small changes can make to your sleeping experience.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.