We all know how moody we can get when we have had little sleep and how desperate we can get when the sleep deprivation is prolonged.
Whilst many factors affect the quality of our sleep, below are four easy things to try, which may help.
Light
The hormone Melatonin (a sleep inducing hormone) is suppressed by light. So, cutting out light and sleeping in darkness, will really help. Fitting black out curtains or blinds, cuts out a lot of light, but light can still get in around the edges and the tops, so you often find that you need both. However, this is not a difficult task, and anyone should be able to fit them, with a bit of DIY knowledge.
Colours
Although it may sound a bit unlikely, past surveys have found that your wall colour can affect your sleep. Blue is thought to be the best colour to induce sleep, followed by yellow which in general has a more relaxing feel to it. Green, silver and orange are also said to be good colours for bedrooms.
Feng Shui
Feng Shui focuses on creating harmony in rooms. Where are mirror is placed in relation to the bed, where the bed is placed in relation to a window, colours and general placements of objects, all play a part in either creating or disturbing the “balance” of a room.
Bedding material
Sleeping at the right temperature is crucial to a restful sleep. Too cold or too warm will both result in an uncomfortable night. Ideal sleep temperature is around 17 degrees Celsius, so make sure your bedroom is heated and or ventilated correctly. Your bedding also has to be breathable to ensure any perspiration is quickly dissipated. Wool products (eg duvets, blankets and under blankets) tend to be far more breathable the feather and down products. Cotton covered bedding, including duvet covers are also naturally breathable, whereas material s like polyester and polyester microfiber offer very little breathability and can make for a very uncomfortable night, both in the cold and warm.
