- Chronic insomnia affects many Americans, with home design factors like lighting, comfort, color, and clutter playing a role.
- Bright lights can disrupt your natural sleep cycle, while uncomfortable bedding can lead to restless sleep.
- Bedroom color influences mood and energy, with cool colors promoting relaxation and warm tones increasing energy.
- Clutter and noise pollution in the bedroom can create stress and anxiety, disrupting sleep routines and quality.
- Improving sleep involves intentional home design choices like dimmable lights, quality bedding, calming colors, a dedicated sleep environment, and soundproofing.
Do you feel tired and groggy even after a full night’s sleep? Is it difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep? Your home design could affect your sleep quality without you even realizing it. Several factors in interior design can impact your sleep, including lighting, comfort, color, and clutter. Here’s a look into Americans losing sleep, why their homes affect their sleep, and ways to improve your home for better sleep.
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Americans Losing Sleep
It’s estimated that about 7% to 19% of American adults suffer from chronic insomnia. It’s no surprise that people are not getting enough sleep, with around 34% of Americans reporting difficulty falling or staying asleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation. About 70 million Americans have experienced sleeping problems in the past year, making it a serious health concern.
Reasons Home Design Affects Sleep
Various parts of your home design affect sleep. Here are some of those designs:
1. Lighting
The amount and type of lighting in your bedroom can significantly impact your sleep. Bright or harsh lighting can disrupt your body’s natural sleep cycle, making falling or staying asleep difficult.
2. Comfort
The comfort of your bed and bedding is essential to a good night’s sleep. A lumpy or uncomfortable mattress, rough sheets, and scratchy blankets can cause discomfort, leading to restlessness and poor sleep quality. Invest in a high-quality mattress and bedding that feels soft and comfortable. If you want to save money, consider visiting a local discount mattress store where you can find mattress deals. Some of these deals might be right in your budget.
3. Color
The colors you choose for your bedroom can affect your mood and energy levels, affecting sleep. Warmer tones like pink, orange, yellow, and red have been shown to increase energy levels and decrease the feeling of relaxation needed for sleep. While cool colors like blue, green, and violet are calming and relaxing.
4. Clutter
A cluttered bedroom can create a sense of stress and anxiety, leading to poor sleep quality. The mess can distract and disrupt your sleep routine, making relaxing challenging.
5. Noise
Noise pollution can cause stress and disrupt your sleep routine. External noises, such as traffic, neighbors, or snoring partners, can be challenging to block out. White noise, such as a fan or a sleep app, can help mask external noises and create a more peaceful sleep environment.
Ways to Improve Your Home For Better Sleep
Thankfully, there are some great options to improve your home for better sleep. Here are five of those options:
1. Opt for Dimmable Lights
Investing in dimmable lights or bedside lamps with adjustable brightness settings can help prepare your body for sleep. Bright lights can inhibit the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. As you prepare for bed, gradually dimming the lights can signal your body that it’s time to sleep.
2. Invest in Quality Bedding
Your bed is a significant factor in the quality of your sleep. A comfortable, supportive mattress, soft sheets, and pillows that support your neck and back can significantly improve your sleep. Consider your preferred sleeping position and any back or neck issues when choosing a mattress and pillows.
3. Choose Cool, Calming Colors
As stated earlier, the color of your bedroom can impact your sleep. Choosing cool, calming colors such as blues, greens, or purples for your bedroom decor can help create a relaxing environment conducive to sleep. You could paint your walls a soft blue or include accents of green in your bedding or curtains.
4. Create a Dedicated Sleep Environment
A clutter-free, dedicated sleep environment can greatly enhance the quality of your sleep. Remove any work-related materials, electronics, or other distractions from your bedroom. Consider using room-darkening shades or curtains to block out any outdoor light.
5. Soundproof Your Bedroom
To minimize noise disruptions, consider soundproofing your bedroom. This could involve using heavy curtains, installing a solid door, or using soundproofing paint. Alternatively, a white noise machine or fan can help mask external noises and create a soothing backdrop for sleep.
A good night’s sleep is crucial for our overall health and well-being, and our home design can significantly influence sleep quality. We can make intentional design choices that promote better sleep by considering lighting and noise. Whether investing in dimmable lights or taking measures to soundproof the bedroom, each step contributes to creating a tranquil, sleep-conducive environment. So, before you chalk up your sleep problems to external factors, take a moment to reconsider your home’s design-it could be the key to achieving the restful sleep you’ve been longing for.
