THE GREAT BEDROOM ENVIRONMENT

The bedroom is your refuge. Around the world people have slept on everything from bare ground to hay, sheepskins, and waterbeds. Although people can get used to almost anything, the bedroom environment does make a difference in how well you sleep. For fully restorative sleep you must set the stage for the theater of the night...quiet, dark, and cool.

NOISE: Make sure that your bedroom is an easy place to fall asleep and stay asleep. Keep your bedroom quiet. Dripping faucets, noisy radiators, sirens, barking dogs, loud stereos, and late-night revelers are common rest inhibitors. If sounds cannot be eliminated altogether, you can create a soothing atmosphere by setting the tuner of your FM radio between any two stations. The pseudo white noise will mask unwanted sounds and promote sleep.

LIGHT LEVEL: Too much light can contribute to sleeplessness. Using dark fabric to block windows or the rim of a door can significantly reduce the amount of light leaking into the bedroom. Eyeshades can also do the trick.

TEMPERATURE: The ideal temperature for sleeping is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. A hot bedroom or too many blankets or bedclothes may disturb sleep and even induce nightmares. A cold room can be just as disruptive as you'll wake up shivering.

HUMIDITY LEVEL: An ideal relative humidity level for the bedroom is between 60 and 70 percent. You may want to buy a humidifier or a dehumidifier depending on your needs.

SECURITY: An extra lock on the front door might make all the difference in how secure you feel at night. So too might another smoke alarm. As part of your nightly bedtime ritual, check the door locks and close the window.

CLOCKS: Hide illuminated clocks to avoid clock-watching during the night which can lead to anxiety over sleeplessness.

COLORS, DECOR, AND CLEANLINESS: Select colors that you associate with the feeling of peace and ease. For example, many people choose blues or greens because it reminds them of the ocean or a park. Keep the bedroom clean and free of clutter. Piles of clothes, reports, and bills induce feelings of stress. Paintings of pastoral scenes, photographs from enjoyed vacations and portraits of family members can create a peaceful ambiance for rest.

NIGHTCLOTHES: Loose-fitting soft garments that breathe are preferable.

BEDSHEETS: The key for bedsheets is clean, cool, and comfortably soft. Popular bedsheet materials are cotton, linen, and polyester fabrics. Cotton is the most popular fiber for bedsheets used either alone or paired with linen, silk, or polyester. They are absorbent becoming even more comfortable over time. For superior quality you might want to try linen sheet, which are ideally suited for hot climates because of its light weight and cooling effect. Also, consider the color of your sheets. For soothing sleep times you might want white or pastels or soft designs like florals, paisleys, or light colored striped sheets.

A good pillow and a comfortable mattress are essential for a great bedroom environment...To learn more, click below...

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