Your bed is the platform for your dreams and should be welcoming at
bedtime, supportive through the night and prepare you for the day to
come. If it’s failing to this then it might be time to assess the space
you sleep in. Keeping in mind the need to be comfortable and relaxed,
we’ve put together 8 ways to fall back in love with your bed…
1. New bedding
Again, sounds obvious… so why haven’t you changed yours?! Lumpy or
flat pillows won’t be giving your head and neck the support that they
need. Similarly, old duvets may not keep you as warm as they once did.
The length of time you should keep your bedding really boils down to its
wear and tear. Once you notice a difference in texture, frays or
bobbling, it’s probably time to replace. This will make for a more
comfortable sleep and a more hygienic sleep space.
2. Tidy up time
Your bedroom is a place to relax and rest. So, if it’s filled with
chaotic clutter, the chances of a successful sleep are far less likely.
In fact, people who sleep in messy bedrooms are more likely to have
disturbed sleep.
Taking just a few minutes to make your bed each morning will set you
up for the day and allow you to come home to a calming haven.
3. Furniture makeover
If you are using furniture that is dated, handed down or was
purchased to ‘fill a gap’, then maybe it’s time to treat yourself – and
your room – to a furniture makeover. Whether you go for a solid oak
theme that adds warmth and sturdiness to your room’s design, or go for
light and airy furniture that allows natural light to envelop every inch
of space, it’s important to focus on getting the right furniture for
you.
In the end, whatever you decide on, the change of furniture will have
a big impact on the look and feel of your sleep space. Even the mental
thought of ticking that ‘new bedroom furniture’ off your bucket list
will add a sense of relief to your calm and relaxing bedroom.
4. The importance of layout
If you’re a bit of a spiritualist, you’ll already know about Feng
Shui. This is the ancient Chinese belief that a room’s flow of energy is
aided by the spatial layout. If your room feels claustrophobic, it’s no
wonder you’ve fallen out of love with your bed.
To make your bedroom a Feng Shui retreat there are a few things you can do immediately to change the flow of energy.
- Avoid the bed being directly in line with the door
- Make sure there’s room to move freely either side of the bed
- Open your windows to purify the bedroom air
- Remove electricals like TVs or computers to avoid EMF pollution
5. Careful with colours
The vibe in your bedroom can be completely dictated by the colour of
your walls and accessories. This is because certain colours evoke
particular emotions. Blue is best for making you feel sleepy according to Sleep.org. If blue isn’t your thing, try pastel shades or earthy tones like yellow and green for a zen environment.
A study by Travelodge
showed that 58% of people with a blue bedroom regularly wake up feeling
happy. These people also had the longest amount of sleep, followed by
yellow, green and silver.
Avoid colours like purple, brown and dark grey which can all promote feelings of negativity and sadness.
6. Exercise
If you’re one of those people who lay in bed for ages trying to get
to sleep but doesn’t feel tired, this one’s for you. You can rekindle
your love for bed by associating it with actually feeling tired.
One way to ensure you’re ready to drop when you crawl into those
sheets is by exercising. Doing just 10 minutes of exercise a day can be
enough to improve your sleep. This can be the difference between a full
sleep and a disturbed one. Try swapping the car for walking on small
journeys or going for a quick jog before your morning shower to wake
yourself up.
Alternatively, do some yoga before bed to get in your daily exercise while also soothing your body and mind. This infographic provides a short sequence to help you drift off calmly.