2. A good bed and mattress: A
good bed is another important part of a good night’s sleep. Avoid metal bed
frames, which can carry magnetic fields, as well as metal-spring mattresses.
Conventional mattresses are made of plastic, foam, and polyester, which emit
toxic gases. Futons made of organic cotton or hemp are preferable. Wool is
another healthy choice; its fibers contain air, which provides a springy
surface for sleeping. Wool products are
naturally flame retardant, have no added chemicals, are naturally
hypoallergenic, and also help eliminate dust mites. Wool also both absorbs
and releases moisture efficiently, thereby maintaining your body
temperature.
3. Avoid EMFs: Avoid sleeping in the
midst of an electromagnetic field (EMF) by removing as many electrical
devices as possible from your bedroom. Television is the most dangerous, so
if you must have one in your bedroom, unplug it while you’re sleeping. An
electric alarm clock should never be situated on a table beside your head.
Waterbeds and electric blankets should also be avoided. Also be aware of
what electrical appliances are on the other side of the wall from the head
of your bed. Don't keep, charge, or even us electronic devices or cell
phones in your bedroom.
4. Avoid dust mites: If you have
allergies, the presence of millions of dust mites in your bed can be a major
problem. A single mattress may contain two million of these microscopic
critters, feeding on the dead skin that we constantly shed. Wash your
bedding weekly in hot water to get rid of dust mites. Air your sheets,
pillows and blankets daily, and vacuum your mattress – and the space under
your bed – regularly.
5: Clean the air: You might want to
use a HEPA filter to clean the air in your bedroom. Houseplants can also
help clean the air.
6. Arrange your furniture for health:
You might want to look into the art of feng shui in order to arrange your
bedroom furniture in the best possible way. Feng shui principles dictate
that your bed should be in a commanding position in the bedroom. When laying
in bed, you should have full view of the door and the rest of the room, but
should not be in line with the door. That means the head of the bed should
not be against a wall that contains a door. Also, try not to place your bed
over a garage or entrance hall. It may mean placing your bed in the corner
of the bedroom, diagonally across from the door.
Feng shui experts also say that mirrors in your bedroom, at least facing the
bed, can disrupt a restful mood. And since feng shui suggests that bathroom
plumbing drains energy, try to situate your bed so you are not looking into
the bathroom when you’re in bed. Oh, and don’t put your bed under a ceiling
fan or structural beam.
7. Lose the clutter: If you want to
sleep well, keep your sleeping space clear of clutter. Some sleep experts
say that your bedroom should be reserved for two things: sleep, and, well,
you know.... Don't watch television or use your tablet before going to sleep
because light – especially blue light – can make for a poor sleep. Keep
furniture and decorations to a minimum. The once exception might be a water
fountain if the sound is soothing. Find another place for the exercise
equipment (which might end up being used as a clothes horse anyway). And for
goodness sake, don't let your bedroom double as your home office.
8. Keep it dark. Blackout curtains
or blinds are a great investment and will help your body move more easily
into sleep mode and maintain your circadian rhythm. Night lights and clock
radios can also emit enough light to disturb some people's sleep, so situate
them accordingly.
9. Keep it cool. Temperature is
important for optimum sleep. Make sure it's not too hot (around 65F/18C is a
good temperature for sleeping). If you don't have air conditioning and live
in a place where it gets hot in the summer, try to open a window, use a fan
to circulate the air, wear cotton PJs (or nothing), and outfit your bed with
cotton sheets. In winter, keep the thermostat low and use a winter-weight
duvet.
10. Keep it quiet. If you live in a
noisy area, lower the volume of outside noise with earplugs or a "white
noise" appliance. Don't run the dishwasher just before bed if the sound will
transfer to your bedroom. If you have to use an alarm clock, set it to music
rather than a jarring bleep. Thick rugs and curtains, or heavy blinds, can
also help muffle sound, but be sure to keep them free of dust.
Once you have all these issues figured out,
we’re sure you will need a rest. So sweet dreams!
