The Simple Hack That Improved the Quality of My Sleep
Sleep is one of the most crucial areas of your health, sleep impacts everything, which is why it is so important to do anything you can to improve the quality of your sleep. There was a time when walking into my bedroom made me want to run away, cry, or sleep on the couch - or all three! I had to figure this out!
Over the course of the last few years, after learning about how important sleep is for every other aspect of your health, I decided to pay more attention to the things that were having a negative impact on my sleep. Shout out to Matthew Walker, PhD for his amazing insights into sleep, which he shares in Why We Sleep.
I discovered three areas that were having an impact on my sleep:
The temperature of my bedroom - the cooler the better. This became even more important as I started to experience the effects of perimenopause (hot flashes, night sweaters, etc.)
The clutter in my bedroom - the visual clutter especially, too many things on my nightstand, clothes in piles or laundry baskets, the unmade bed all contributed to a sense of dread and overwhelm when I walked into my bedroom.
Delaying going to bed - this could be from avoiding my bedroom or from bedtime procrastinating because my day was out of my control, or binge-watching a show that could wait until the weekend. Maybe grownups actually do need bedtimes!
Do any of these resonate with you? Go ahead and comment but keep reading for the 3 steps you can take this weekend to improve your quality of sleep.
There is one thing you can do this weekend to improve your sleep, and it won’t cost you a thing other than your time: clear the clutter. I know for many of us, the bedroom becomes the place where we whisk things away if we have company coming, or we store things we don’t want the kids getting into, or we struggle with getting rid of clothes or other personal items which make up most of the contents of our bedrooms. But hear me out on these three steps you can take, and you won’t have to worry about taking three trips to the donation center.
Three Steps To Clear the Clutter and Sleep Better
Step 1: Clear the Surfaces
You are the hero of your own space. By removing clutter from your nightstand or dresser, you’re creating a peaceful environment that signals rest to your brain. Clearing just one surface is the first step toward reclaiming control over your bedroom and your sleep. You can move the items to drawers, or purchase a nice basket/fabric box with a lid - looking at one pretty box/basket is less stressful than looking at the 5 things in the box. Go for simple lines, neutral colors and as little as possible on the surfaces around your bedroom.
Step 2: Move The Stuff Somewhere
All those things you are storing in your bedroom, move them to someplace you cannot see them for now. The basement, the closet, under the bed, anywhere that you will not see them when you enter your bedroom. You can tackle them another time. The goal is to clear the visual clutter in your bedroom quickly so you can reap the benefit of better sleep. We can tackle those piles in a few weeks with renewed energy and better decision making skills that come with better quality sleep.
Step 3: Create a Calming Atmosphere
Imagine stepping into a sanctuary that you designed, one where every item brings you calm. Removing distractions, like electronics, and surrounding yourself with items that bring peace allows you to create a space that reflects who you are becoming, someone who values rest and renewal. Make the bed every morning so when you leave the room it is more in order (and you have primed your brain towards action) and when you come in at night your bed is not a reminder of a rushed morning.
The quality of our sleep regulates and impacts every physical and mental system in our body - the time and energy to improve our sleep pays massive dividends!
I would love to hear your thoughts about these ideas and if you try them!
