Make Your Bedroom the Perfect Place for Sleep

A night of restless sleep can be devastating for your day. Research shows that a single night of short or poor sleep can inhibit functioning throughout your day. So how can you make sure you're getting quality sleep every night?

A good place to start is your bedroom. You can take a few steps to make your bedroom a haven for peaceful night sleep. Here's how.

BEDDING: START HERE

It may seem obvious to start with bedding, but the sad fact is that too many of us are sleeping on uncomfortable beds every night. Let's start with the basics.

1. Invest in a quality mattress. Your mattress is the difference between a restless night and a peaceful night. Memory foam is a favorite, although pillow top, gel, and plush mattresses are also popular. Try out a few mattresses and talk to a professional.
2. Choose comfortable bedding. Your sheet thread count is more important than you may think. Comfortable bedding gives your body a chance to recover and signals that it's time to relax.
3. Invest in a good bed. A sturdy bed is the foundation of your good night's rest. You can rent bedroom sets that include your bed, side tables, and other pieces.

BEDROOM: OPTIMIZE FOR ZZZZ'S

Your bedroom might be causing your restless nights without you realizing it.

1. Banish electronics from your bedroom. This includes your TV, your laptop, and your phone. If your phone must come with you to your bedroom, turn it to "night" or "do not disturb" mode and don't scroll social media in bed.
2. Choose calming, neutral tones for your walls and decor. Grays, blues, and browns are favorites for a soothing bedroom.
3. Select soft lighting like small lamps, and don't turn on your overhead light when you're getting ready for bed.
4. Keep your air clean and fresh with air-purifying houseplants and a fan. For dry climates, consider a humidifier.
5. Set your temperature to for optimum sleep. Research shows that the ideal temperature for sleep is in the 60s. Keep your room cool at night for a good night's rest.