According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of adults don’t get enough sleep. This means that one out of every three Americans above 17 get under seven hours of sleep every day. Besides the lack of rest, sleep deprivation has several downsides on a person’s health. It can lead to higher chances of getting diabetes, heart disease, and other illnesses.
The good news is that you can improve your quality of sleep by upgrading your bedroom. Here’s how:
Transform Your Walls
Consider giving your walls a new look with some bedroom wallpaper or paint. If your bedroom walls are is painted in bright or vivid colors, it may be affecting how you sleep. Nurse and sleep expert Terry Cralle recommends sticking to blue and green walls. Studies have found that these hues help people relax and feel calm. If your favorite color is yellow, you can still use it for your room. You just have to make sure that the shade is muted so it’s not too distracting. Otherwise, it might make falling asleep harder instead of easier.
On the other hand, there are also certain colors you should avoid. Whether you’re using paint or wallpapers, it’s best to stay away from red and purple hues. They stimulate the brain instead of helping them unwind. For your bedroom, relaxation and calm should be the priority.
Get a New Mattress
When it comes to sleep, the most important factor is probably comfort. Even if you’re completely exhausted, it’s hard to doze off if you don’t feel comfortable. Maybe your mattress is sagging after years and years of use. Or perhaps your pillows are too lumpy. Uncomfortable cushions can cause other problems as well. You might get some sleep, but you’ll wake up with back pain or a sore neck. The good news is that this problem is pretty easy to solve. You only need to replace your pillows or mattress. It might be expensive to buy a new one. It’s best to think of it as a long-term investment: the high cost is worth it in return of a good night’s sleep.
Before you spend money on a new mattress, you should consider a few factors first. You should determine the right type of mattress is right for you. There are several varieties available: airbeds, foams, latex, spring and hybrid. In this case, it’s better for you to shop in-store than online. No matter how good a mattress looks in photos, it won’t reflect how comfortable it is. Then, you should also check out the weight. Heavier mattresses tend to be of higher quality and offer more support. If you’re having a hard time picking out the cushion, you can use the firmness scale. It factors in how you sleep and your weight.
Replace Your Pillowcases
People spend around a third of their time every day in their bedroom. It makes sense that it affects not just how a person’s body functions but also their hair and skin. Because of your bedroom, you may be getting breakouts, dark circles, and frizzy hair. On the bright side, there’s a simple fix.
If you didn’t before, you should be changing your pillowcases regularly. This is especially important if you have oily and acne-prone skin. Bacteria could be building up on the pillows and making your skin worse overnight. Dermatologists recommend replacing them once a week. But it all comes down to what’s best for you. If you don’t get pimples very often and you’re busy, changing pillowcases every two weeks should be enough.
If you have the budget, you should consider getting silk pillowcases. Unlike cotton, silk doesn’t absorb as much oil and residue. It’s also much gentler on the skin. This translates to clearer skin and healthier hair.
Change Your Bedding
If your pillows and mattresses can affect your health, your bedding is a factor as well. It can harbor dust mites and regulate your body temperature overnight.
When you’re shopping for new sheets, make sure to look at the thread count first. Remember that the higher the number is doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. An expert recommends that you should look for a sheet with a thread count from 300 to 400. If you tend to sweat even at low temperatures, get a cooling sheet to make your sleep better.
Sleep is an integral part of a person’s everyday life. It would be difficult to maintain a regular exercise routine and a balanced diet when you’re not getting enough rest. Prioritize comfort and function when it comes to decorating your bedroom.
