Keeping the bedroom ‘healthy’

The bedroom is your sanctuary — a space to unwind and decompress from a stressful day. But, do you find yourself wide awake at 3 am even after counting the 100th sheep? Then the fault may lie in your bedroom itself. Heard of a healthy bedroom? Yes, there is such a term for a bedroom that allows one a good night’s sleep. Here are some changes that can be incorporated to drive the midnight blues away.

Choose natural bedding:
Feeling either overheated or too cold can impact the quality of your sleep. So, invest in some good bedding preferably of the natural kind to help regulate temperatures. Choosing a duvet in natural fibre like cotton or linen is any day better than a synthetic one. This applies to sleepwear, pillows and sheets.  Also, invest in a good quality mattress that supports your back.

Indoor plants:
A little bit of green can definitely enhance the ambience of a room while also releasing oxygen keeping the air healthy, thus becoming perfect for sleep spaces. Aloe vera and Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant) are two plants featuring in NASA’s Clean Air Study ,which are apt for healthy bedroom spaces.

Declutter:
Avoid clutter in your bedroom, especially if you have a small space. Make use of storage bins and spaces to stow away kids' toys, papers or cosmetics.

Go for natural paint:
If you are planning to give a new coat of paint to your bedroom walls, it would be healthier to opt for a VOC free paint. The colour of the bedroom can also have the ability to soothe and calm. So, choose a paint that relaxes you rather than following trends.

Right kind of curtains and blinds:
A crucial element that aids in a restful sleep is the amount of light in your bedroom. There are people who like their sleep spaces to be really dark and there are others who prefer a small light source. Whatever your preference, make sure that the light levels are right in your bedroom. If you need a really dark ambience, then invest in black out full-length curtains. Make sure that chargers or hands-free gadgets with blinking lights are switched off. If you are one of those who prefers a small light source, then a zero watt bulb or a night lamp will suffice.

Keep gadgets away:
Make time for a digital detox at least in the night. Try to keep away from mobile phones or television screens before nodding off. Too much of light from blue screens can result in production of melatonin, which can lead to a feeling of your mind being awake when your body needs to rest.