How to Design Your Bedroom for Sleep & Good Health
July 1st, 2019 | by Elizabeth| Posted in bedrooms, coming home, design, guest room | #bedroom, #blues, #colors, #greens, #health, #home decor, #interior design, #mt. juliet, #psychology, #quality, #restful, #sleepRun, run, run, as fast as you can…
This is the mantra of our days, and for most of us, it doesn’t stop when the sun goes down! We start completely over at 5 pm, or whatever time our “day” ends.
Whether it’s jobs around the house, carpooling children from here to there, or any myriad of other things, many of us don’t end our days until the late evening hours.
This leaves very little time for our beauty sleep, which is so necessary for our health!
If the title of the post didn’t give it away yet, I’ll come right out with it… design can play a role in getting a better night’s sleep and in our overall health. Surprised?
Today I’m going to dive into all the things that sleep does for us, and I’m going to help you create your own little sleep oasis at home. Your health will thank you!
Ready for a bedroom worthy of Sleeping Beauty? Let’s go!
why exactly is sleep so important to our health?
We all know that sleep is important, but what exactly does it do for us? Well y’all, I did some digging, and this is what I found…
Although we feel as if we’re resting during sleep, it’s when our body is doing some heavy lifting!
During sleep, our brains convert the day’s experiences into long-term memories and essentially “clean house” to keep everything functioning in good order. Without it, we feel “foggy” and have a difficult time remembering things.
Lack of sleep affects the body as well. Research shows that it can be a contributing factor to many of the most common diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety, heart disease, and others…
…which certainly builds the case for getting a good night’s sleep! 7-9 hours, according to the National Sleep Foundation.
Are y’all convinced yet?!
does your bedroom really influence the sleep you get?
I couldn’t resist… I researched this one too!
According to Deborah Burnett of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, our body uses “external or environmental cues, including color and light, to synchronize our biological rhythms to the earth’s 24-hour light/dark cycle.”
That means the color and atmosphere of your bedroom can affect sleep — the verdict is in!
which colors are best for sleep?
Which would you find more restful… a bedroom with bright yellows and pinks or a bedroom of cool blues and greens?
I’m willing to bet the second option.
When designing a bedroom, it’s not surprising that blue is a top selection. Studies show that it can slow human metabolism and have a calming effect. Men especially love blue and are receptive to designs where it is included.
Less saturated greens can also be used in bedrooms with positive effects for sleep. No surprise there, considering green has also been associated with feelings of health and security.
This blend of pale blue and earthy green creates a bedroom that’s breathable and restful
But greens and blues aren’t your only options.
The keys to incorporating any color in the bedroom is chromaticity and value… chromaticity is the intensity of a color, while value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.
When designing bedrooms, low chromaticity and low value in a color work best.
Here are a few examples of colors that would well in a bedroom and be conducive to rest:
how else can you design your bedroom for health and sleep?
Color isn’t the only factor in creating a restful bedroom. The space itself can play a role too — a cluttered space is a cluttered mind, as the saying goes!
However, the opposite can also be true: a room that is too empty or lacks in soft, comforting textures could also prevent you from getting your best Z’s!
The trick? Balance and moderation.
All of our minds work a little differently. What feels cozy yet uncluttered for me might not feel the same for you. This is where a little trial and experimentation comes in. Start with small touches and work your way up. Or, bring in a professional! 😉
And that’s it! It’s really that simple to start creating the perfect environment for your sleep and health. Any questions? Ask ‘em below!
To your health and happiness,
Elizabeth
As I write this, I have a very loud, snoring husband – LOL.
Great post Elizabeth. My own master bedroom is painted in Sea Salt and I love it! Now….any tips to stop the snoring????