Creating the Right Environment for a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep isn’t as easy as we’d like it to be, sometimes it can take a bit of persuading, even for adults. You want to create an ideal environment within your bedroom to make it a place that is perfect for a good night’s sleep. The experts in the field of sleep, Childrens Bed Shop have put together a list of things to consider when it comes to bedtime.

Stay in the dark

You want to be able to differentiate between night and day, when it gets dark you go to sleep. This is a natural process, as when it becomes dark the body releases the hormone melatonin, which is responsible for sleep. Light can prevent this hormone from being released.

Blackout curtains are perfect for creating that darkness that naturally aids sleep. While some children may be afraid of the dark, don’t be tempted to leave on the overhead lights in their bedroom. Instead why don’t you opt for a night light? Night lights are dim keeping the room dark to make it clear that it’s night time.

Relax yourselves

Relaxation is key to sleep. Practise techniques that can put you at ease when it comes to nodding off, such as reading a bedtime story. Or, listen to some calm and relaxing music.

Children can also benefit from bedtime stories making them comfortable. Stay away from sending your child to bed as a punishment. This is counterproductive to your child seeing bed as a stress-free and relaxing environment.

Keep it cool

Research suggests that 18 degrees Celsius is the perfect temperature for sleep and we don’t need a scientific study to tell us if we feel too hot, it’s extremely difficult to get to sleep.

While it may be tempting to tuck in extra tight and pile duvets to keep from catching a cold in the night, this is probably detrimental to actually getting to sleep. Adjusting the temperature of the thermostat in your house can help keep your room at the best temperature for a snooze.

Put away the clutter

Having a clear space can help you clear your mind and relax for the evening. Research has shown that a clean, empty space can promote a calming sensation in children at bedtime, as seeing their toys triggers an excitatory sensory input within their brains and can be detrimental to getting them relaxed.

When you are nodding off, if you can see something exciting, you’ll get distracted.

If you make sure you tidy away of a night, you’re also taking away the distraction you’re likely to feel.