As we’ve discussed in the past, a tidy and redecorated home can lead to a lot of good energy and wellbeing. It might not feel like much at the time, but you’ll slowly start to see the positive effects when you have a home that you feel 100% comfortable in. After all, home is somewhere you’ll spend a lot of time in!
When we talk about having a space where we feel relaxed living in, there is no area more important than your bedroom. This is where you come to sleep, but perhaps more than that, it’s a place to unwind and escape the stresses of the world. Your bedroom should be your sleep sanctuary, which is why we want to provide a few tips on how you can achieve this area of bliss and alleviation.
Scent
Scent is one of the most underutilized senses when it comes to trying to calm down after a busy day. You can get transported to another place simply by a certain scent, and that’s a fantastic thing to try when you simply want to chill out. Lavender, rose, or vanilla-scented incense sticks or candles are a great choice, so when you get home, light them up and when it comes time for sleep, your bedroom will be full of gorgeous scents that will ease your mind and body.
Soft, comfortable bedding
Nobody wants to climb into stiff, scratchy sheets and a hard bed after all the toil of the working day – your body deserves so much better. It’s such a cozy feeling to put on your pajamas, snuggle into your warm and soft bed, and then read a book to wind down. Look for something nice online or browse around the shops, but whatever you do, you’ll discover that upgrading your mattress, bedding or pajamas to something soft and comfy will lift your mood considerably.
Calming art and pictures of good times
Poet Thomas Merton once said that “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time,” which is something we think perfectly matches the ethos of a sleep sanctuary. Art makes you think, lets your mind drift and inspires you. Discover some new artists or put up artwork from some of your favorites, but as long as it makes you happy, then that’s the main thing. Some photographs of you with loved ones and friends is also a great idea, as it’s hard not to smile when looking at great times you’ve had in the past.
Plants and fish
You don’t have to turn your bedroom into a tropical rainforest, but plants help to purify the air and help to bring a sense of calm. There’s jasmine, lavender, and aloe vera, which are all considered good plants for your bedroom. If you want even more life in your room, we can also suggest a goldfish. An easy pet to take care of if there ever was one, a goldfish makes a relaxed and easy companion to simply gaze upon when you feel like you’re getting stressed.
Paint
Experts say that a calming color palette is key to having a sleep sanctuary. Lilac and blue tones are said to be the best at promoting calming feelings, but light shades of gray are also wonderful. Warmer colors like red and yellow are said to promote feelings of energy, which is perhaps the last thing you want when trying to sleep!
Lighting
Finally, harsh lighting is an unwelcome addition to your bedroom when you’re trying to set your mind for sleep. Not only can bright overhead lights sometimes disrupt your internal body clock, but they also use up so much energy. It’s far better to invest in a dimmer switch or least buy an energy-saving bulb for a bedside lamp. Similarly, we don’t want to think of the sun as our enemy, but sometimes those sunny summer mornings can light up the room far earlier than we’d like! Blackout blinds will stop that early glare from reaching your eyes and let you snooze a bit longer, or you could also wear an eye mask.