Getting a great night's sleep with a calm and decluttered bedroom
How is your bedroom affecting your sleep?
'Sleep is the single most effective thing we can do to reset our brain and body health each day'. This quote comes from 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker, an eye opening read that completely changed how I thought about the importance of sleep and made me look at my bedroom with totally different eyes.
I'm a great believer that our surroundings have a real impact on the way we feel, on our emotions and on our ability to rest, recharge and relax, nowhere more so than in the bedroom. If a bedroom is crowded and cluttered, then it's highly likely that that's going to distract from your ability to relax and drift off peacefully. When I decluttered and changed my bedroom, it had an effect on my sleep, my mood and my day to day energy.
There are certain things that I know help with my own sleep and a decluttered, calm and peaceful space tops the list:
Make it simple!
A simple decluttered bedroom offers no distractions. No piles of clothes, no cluttered surfaces. Even the smallest amount of clutter can be draining and distracting. There's a reason that my bedroom is the simplest space in my house. It's stripped right back to only a few items of furniture and it's the closest to minimalism that I get. I made the decision to move most of the furniture out a few years ago (most likely at the same time I first read Matthew Walker's book). Some of the furniture was moved to other rooms and some to new homes, leaving just the bed, bedside cabinets and a side table. Reducing the furniture also naturally reduced the other possessions in the room. I've never regretted it. It's simple and effortless to keep clear, clean and organised as there is so little there to begin with. Having a decluttered and organised bedroom makes a huge difference to my ability to relax and wind down - it really is an oasis of calm.
Make it dark!
Having a room with complete darkness is so important for quality sleep. I find light disturbs me at night far more than noise, so I've made it a priority to get as close to complete darkness as I can. My blinds block out as much external light as possible and I've removed any sources of light inside the bedroom. I also try to make sure that screen time is limited before I turn in to reduce the amount of blue light from TV and devices.
Make it routine!
Decluttering and organising is a hands on business and I need to prioritise my energy to make sure I'm raring to go for client sessions. Trying to keep to the same bedtimes and waking times really helps with both energy and mood. I find it so much easier to get going if my alarm is set for the same time every day and often I find that I wake naturally just before the alarm, which is always a better start to my morning. I'm not a night owl and I know that I have my highest energy levels in the mornings, so I try to keep to that sleep pattern to have the most energy and focus I can.
Make it a sanctuary!
One of the great benefits of decluttering and clearing space in the bedroom is that you can be intentional about what you put back in there. In my own bedroom, I wanted to create a sanctuary, a place that was restorative and relaxing, so I've tried to make sure that whatever I bring into the room adds to that effect. I love a calming scent at bedtime, so there's always a sleep spray on my bedside table - it blends Lavender, Eucalyptus, Vetiver and Jasmine and because I use it regularly, as soon as I smell it, my brain knows it's time to wind down and goes into relaxation mode. I also make room for a calming body lotion and a soft wool throw and if I have a book by the bed, I make sure it's a relaxing one.
Make it You!
Everyone has a different concept of what makes a room relaxed and restful and so what works for me isn't necessarily going to work for you, but if sleep is a priority for you it's worth exploring what steps you could take to make sure your bedroom is helping you wind down, not hindering you. If you're interested in decluttering your bedroom for calm and sleep and you would like the help of a professional you can find out more here.
Happy decluttering!
Nikki
Dunmow Decluttering Essex Professional Organiser
Dunmow Decluttering Essex Professional organiser offers home organising services, home decluttering services & house move preparation & unpacking for the areas surrounding Great Dunmow - Saffron Walden - Stansted - Bishop's Stortford - Sawbridgeworth - Ongar - Chigwell - Colchester - Chelmsford - Brentwood - Braintree - Cogeshall - Tiptree - Witham - Maldon - Halstead - Sudbury - Haverhill
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