Saturday, May 25, 2019

Healthy Habits: How to Design a Home That Fosters a Healthy Sleep Schedule



Getting enough sleep at night is a constant battle for many. Did you know that simply changing your home can help mitigate waking up at night? Here are just a few tips on how to redesign your home to help get a better night’s rest.

Find the Best Bed
We all have our own preferences when it comes to our bed, but more often than not, we aren’t using the right bed to get the best night’s sleep. Consider your sleep position—find a bed and a set of pillows that work best based on that position. For example, if you sleep on your back, you want a medium firmness mattress and a pillow that is soft enough to contour your neck, rather than arching it. If you sleep on your side, you should look into a soft to medium firmness mattress with a firmer and more heightened pillow to help keep your spine straight as you sleep.

Consider Feng Shui
Completely redesigning your home to promote a free flow of energy may sound a little extreme, but consider the fact that having a sense of calm in your home, that is free of clutter, will both help your sleep cycle as well as help mitigate stress and anxiety throughout the day. Try and find simple ways to incorporate feng shui into your home, such as getting rid of clutter that prevents a free flow of energy and consider making simple design changes to help balance out your home.

Get Rid of Light and Noise
Having extraneous light and noise while you are trying to sleep is one of the most common factors that will keep you from staying asleep at night. Make sure you turn off all light sources in your room while you are asleep, such as your television and phone. Also, remove any noises that may wake you up in the middle of the night. For example, if you have a noisy HVAC system, make sure to call your repairman.

Use Calming Colors
Color can have a significant effect on your home, depending on your personality. They can completely alter your emotions throughout the day, so consider what color scheme you gravitate the most to. If you find yourself overwhelmed and needing a sense of calm, consider light pastels or neutral colors to help promote positive and calming energy. If you feel like you need a cozier theme to your home, consider darker colors that will make your space feel smaller. Bright reds and oranges, however, tend to be a little too stimulating.

Diffuse Essential Oils
Scents like lavender have been long known to have a calming effect on your mind and body. Studies have actually proven that lavender oil can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and even your temperature.

Set the Right Temperature
Staying cool at night is essential for going to sleep and staying asleep throughout the night. The prime temperature for sleeping is around 65 degrees. If you tend to sleep “hot”, consider lowering your home’s temperature and also find a mattress and bedding ensemble that is conducive to keeping your cool.

Have a Clean Home
While having a clean and organized home will help relieve stress and anxiety in your home, other factors that affect the “cleanliness” of your home can also keep you from getting a good night's sleep. Be sure to vacuum regularly to clean your air, and also consider a HEPA air purifier to mitigate the number of dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens that can affect your breathing and keep you up at night.

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