When you were little and couldn’t sleep, your parents probably told you to ‘count sheep.’ However, by now, you probably figured out that it doesn’t exactly help – at least not always. Fortunately, there are other things you can do to improve your sleep quality and snore the night away.
Have you thought about changing your surroundings and environment? It doesn’t have to be a big change, as often it’s the small adjustments that make the biggest difference. If your answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Below, you will find some bedroom hacks that can help you improve the quality of your sleep, such as getting rid of distractions and avoiding blue light, since you know I’m a huge sleep advocate (I just need more myself! Haha!) Let’s get started, or, to put it differently: Welcome to your better sleep!
Darken the Room
One of the biggest bedroom hacks is to darken your room by turning off all the lights in it. Why? Simply because it relaxes you and prepares you for sleep. Some people prefer wearing an eye mask or using black tape to cover their lights. If you’re looking for something that is more effective and doesn’t require any effort, however, then a blackout curtain may be a better option for you. These curtains are usually made of thick fabric, and they block [the majority] of all light.
Listen to Relaxing Sounds Before Sleep
Another thing that you can use to make yourself feel more relaxed and fall asleep faster is a pair of headphones. When you listen to soft music or sounds, such as nature sounds, it helps you relax and focus on the music instead of your own thoughts. While most people use earphones at work or while commuting, you can also use them when you go to sleep. You may also want to look into adjustable bed benefits, as this can make a big difference in sleep quality, as well.
Avoid Blue Lights
Many people have a habit of checking social media before going to bed, but doing so isn’t going to help you get some shuteye. In fact, it will only distract you and prevent you from falling asleep, as well as causing insomnia and other sleep problems. While most people know that they should avoid blue lights when it comes to looking at digital screens, not many people know that reading physical books before bedtime can also prevent them from getting enough sleep at night. If you like reading before bedtime, you should stick to soft lighting or even candlelight.
Use a White Noise Machine
Does your partner snore? If yes, then you may want to consider getting a white noise machine to drown out the noises that may wake you up at night. These machines are very easy to use, and they come with different sounds that play in loop mode. Some people who live in big cities often use them to block out the traffic noise, while others use them in their child’s room when they sleep. You can even use it when you need to get some work done but can’t concentrate because of other noises around you.
However, there is a simpler solution – you could install an app on your smartphone or just play white noise from YouTube.
Use a Sleep Journal
If there’s something that’s keeping you awake at night, then chances are a sleep journal will help you figure it out. By writing down what happened during the day and what time you went to bed, you might notice patterns and see what directly or indirectly keeps you up at night. If there’s something that disturbs your sleep quality, such as eating too much or having a particular problem at work, it will help you solve them quite easily by taking small steps towards changing your habits.
Open a Window
When was the last time you let fresh air into your bedroom? If it has been more than a few days, then chances are it smells stale inside and it doesn’t help your body relax. To make this happen, try opening a window when you go to bed at night and close it in the morning if it’s warm outside. You can also leave it open while sleeping if you want to feel cooler than usual, but make sure that there are no bugs coming in the room!
Get a Mattress Protector and Sheets That Work For You
Wouldn’t it be nice if all your sheets didn’t end up on the floor every morning? Unfortunately, not everyone sleeps with the same comfort level – which is why having a mattress protector and sheets that feel good against your skin is important if you want to improve your sleep quality. This way, you won’t have to worry about waking up with sweaty sheets or feeling uncomfortable when laying on top of your mattress for hours on end.
Use an Eye Mask and Earplugs
Not everyone wears earplugs or eye masks when they go to bed, but they can help increase your sleep quality drastically if you wear them regularly. These small items can help block out all the sounds outside your bedroom, making your sleep environment quieter than usual and allowing your mind to fall asleep faster than usual.
Conclusion
If you’ve been having a hard time falling asleep at night, or if you haven’t been getting enough sleep lately, then you may want to consider these tips to help you sleep better. In addition, you can use other tips, such as adding some essential oils to your bedroom or making it smell better, or even purchasing a new mattress. The important thing is to have a quiet room where you feel relaxed and comfortable.