How to Create a Sleep Friendly Environment for the Best Sleep of your Life
by The Brandt Haus on Aug 22, 2024
Distractions are endless and screens dominate our lives, which makes it harder than ever to truly unplug, unwind and relax. It's never been more important to create a sleep-optimized environment than it is today! Quality sleep is essential for our overall well-being, and it influences everything from our mood and energy levels to our ability to focus and make mindful decisions.
Yet, it's not uncommon to struggle to achieve the restful sleep we all desperately need. The good news? With a few intentional changes, you can transform your sleep quality and, by extension, your life.
It Starts with your Nighttime Routine
Before we even open up the door to your bedroom, let's start with the foundation: your nighttime routine. A consistent routine signals to your body that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. It doesn't have to be a 20 step ritual, it can be as simple as setting a time to start winding down, unplugging from screens and sipping a hot cup of chamomile tea.
If you need more inspiration for the perfect nighttime routine, check out our blog on a minimal nighttime routine here.
Optimize Your Sleep Environment
The environment you sleep in plays a crucial role in determining how much rest you get. Creating a space that is conducive to restful sleep involved a few key elements:
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Keep Your Room Cool: The temperature of your sleeping environment significantly impacts the quality of your sleep. Research suggests that the ideal room temperature for sleep is between 60-67°F (15-19°C). A cool room helps to lower your body temperature, which naturally drops as you prepare to sleep, making it easier to drift off.
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Limit Distractions: Your bedroom should be a sanctuary for rest. Remove distractions like TVs, work-related items, and digital devices. If you use your phone as an alarm, consider placing it across the room to minimize temptation and reduce exposure to sleep-disrupting notifications.
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Minimize Light Exposure: Darkness is essential for quality sleep. Consider blackout curtains to block external light and create a pitch-black environment. Additionally, swapping out traditional lightbulbs for red light bulbs in your bedroom lamps can help reduce blue light exposure, which can interfere with your circadian rhythm.
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Create a Soothing Atmosphere: Your senses play a huge role in your ability to relax. Soft bedding, calming scents like lavender, and even a white noise machine can enhance your sleep environment, making it more inviting and conducive to rest.
We use our Hatch Restore every single night for calming red light, and white noise throughout the night.
The Power of Intentionality in Sleep
Creating a sleep-friendly environment is about more than just the physical space; it’s about adopting the mindset of intentionality in every aspect of life. By dedicating time to your nighttime routine and making thoughtful adjustments to your sleep environment, you're prioritizing your well-being and setting the stage for better rest.
Quality sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. By making these simple yet powerful changes, you can reclaim your nights, improve your days, and live a more balanced, energized, and fulfilling life. As you incorporate these tips into your life, we think you'll notice a profound shift in how you feel.