5 Steps to Turn Your Bedroom Into a Sleep Retreat

Disclosure: I received an Airfree Air Purifier free for an honest review which I’ve given. This post contains affiliate links.

In recent years, studies have revealed that sleep is more important than people originally thought. Doctors and scientists haven’t solved all of the mysteries surrounding sleep, but they do know sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences. There are lots of tips for getting better sleep, but at the end of the day it usually comes down to your environment (i.e. your bedroom). Here’s a quick guide on how to turn your bedroom into a sleep retreat.

Photo by Hutomo Abrianto

Step 1. Pick the Right Mattress

Improving your sleep starts with your mattress. Everything else can be perfect, but if your mattress isn’t made for you it won’t help you get to sleep.

Today there are more mattress options than ever before. They range from traditional pillow tops to memory-foam mattresses to adjustable beds that can be reshaped with the push of a button. The most important thing is to find a mattress with enough support and space to stretch out. You can buy a lot of things online, but like vehicles, you need to give mattresses a test ride in-person to find the right one.

Step 2. Turn the Thermostat Down

According to the experts at the National Sleep Foundation, the best temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. When it’s time to sleep, body temperature naturally decreases to initiate the process. Keeping the temperature in the bedroom cool can help aid the body and improve sleep.

If you want to save money on your electric bill turn on the overhead fan if you have one. The wind chill effect can make the room feel a few degrees cooler. Plus, the fan can provide ambient noise (more on that below).

You may also want to switch up the bedding. During the spring and summer when it gets warm outside cotton sheets are the best option because they’re lite and breathable.

Step 3. Block Out the Light

Did your mom ever turn the lights on to get you up in the morning before school? It worked like a charm because light sends a signal to the brain to be alert.

There are two types of light to consider: natural light and artificial light. Natural light has always aided people in sleeping and waking. However, with the advent of artificial light people have deviated away from natural sleep patterns because it messes with our circadian rhythm. This not only disturbs sleep and can cause insomnia, it can also increase the risk of obesity, hormone imbalance, depression and more.

Do what you can to block out the light. If you have a TV in your room keep it turned off. Turn alarm clocks away from the bed so the light isn’t visible. Blackout curtains or blinds should be installed so illumination from exterior house lights or street lights don’t disturb your sleep. You can use natural light to your advantage with smart blinds that are scheduled to open when it’s time to wake.

Step 4. Reduce Distracting Noises

First, a disclaimer. Sounds aren’t immediate sleep disruptors. However, noise that comes out of nowhere can wake you up very easily, especially in the early stages of sleep. If a noise is loud enough it can even jar you out of deep sleep. Even if you don’t wake up the sound could be registered by your brain and lead to restless sleep.

The problem is sound can be very difficult to control. You may have neighbors that are noisy from time to time or live near a road with an occasional loud vehicle passing by. When there’s no way to fully eliminate noise, white noise may be the solution. A constant, low-level sound can drown out random noise so sleep isn’t disturbed.

Step 5. Purify the Air with an Air Purifier

Being able to breathe easy helps you sleep more soundly. That’s because you aren’t fighting conditions like snoring and congestion that disrupt sleep.

There are three devices that can help you clean up the air in your bedroom: humidifier, dehumidifier, and air purifiers. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers help you control the moisture of the air, which can help with sinus problems.

An air purifier clears out allergens and other particles. If you’ve had congestion, allergy attacks or started to snore it’s a good idea to take this extra step.

An air purifier, like Airfree, is one of the best things allergy sufferers can do. Airfree Air Purifier sterilizes the air without the use of a filter and allows air to flow in and out while killing airborne allergens like pollen, dust mites and mold. You don’t want an air purifier with a filter since air filters capture the mold spores and causes growth on the filter. Airfree is highly effective and has won many awards for its efficiency.

I love Airfree because it doesn’t require any maintenance. You just plug it in and it draws in microbiological antigens and kills them through high heat. I also love that it is completely silent. You can find out more about an Airfree Air Purifier and purchase one by using my affiliate link on Amazon.

By following these easy steps, you can turn your bedroom into a sleep retreat and help you get a better night’s sleep.