Transform your bedroom into a sleeping sanctuary

For some, sleep is a destination that’s easily reached, while for others it feels as though dangerously rickety bridges, rocky rivers and steep hills need to be crossed to get there. If you fall into the latter category of dreamers, it may be time to take a look at you’re your surroundings. You spend around eight hours (if you’re lucky) each day laying in your bedroom, so it makes sense that it should be the place in which you feel most at ease.

Try these simple tips for creating a sleep sanctuary before you rest your weary head tonight…

Comfort first

Is your sleeping arrangement conducive to comfort? Are your pillows so flat they’re barely existent? Or, are they so firm you’re craning your neck? Is your mattress still providing support? Investing in a good mattress and a decent pillow may seem a significant purchase at first, but could provide you with years of comfortable slumbers (and prevent injury to your back and neck).

If you know your bedding situation is sub-par but you’re not in a position to purchase new items, put a call out to your friends and family – they might have just the thing you’re looking for in an unused guest room or a set of pillows that didn’t work out for their needs. And, if you don’t like the idea of using a secondhand mattress, look for a good mattress topper instead.

Minimise clutter

If the last thing you see before you close your eyes each night is a clutter of items that need attending to, you may find it more difficult to untangle your thoughts. Try keeping only essentials by your bedside – a lamp, a book or magazine and a glass of water.

Take a look around your room. Are there clothes that need putting away, or paperwork that needs sorting? Keeping on top of these things or, at the very least, moving them away from your line of vision, will prevent your mind from focussing on things that need doing in the morning. A clean room and equate to a cleaner mind!

If you can, choose bedding or furnishings in your favourite colours – the ones that make you happiest.

Consider lighting

If streetlights are shining into your eyes, try setting up a sturdy curtain or temporary solution to give you darkness and peace while you rest. If you read before you hit the hay, use soft lamp lighting rather than ultra-bright lights.

If you don’t have the option of purchasing a lamp, you might like to try candle lit reading of an evening to calm the mind.

Switch off 

You knew this point was coming. Before you choose to rest, steer clear from our computer and phone. Not only will their lights keep you buzzing, but the constant stimulus will also keep you thinking.

Challenge yourself: try keeping your phone outside of your room (you can use an alarm clock to wake you up) and enjoy the mindful moments that come from the quiet with the absence of these technologies. Your emails, Instagram and messages can wait. Remember, bedrooms are for sleeping, smooching and relaxing.