After another restless night of sleep, I decided to make some changes in my bedroom environment. Do you have sleep struggles too? Five must-have bedroom accessoires to help you a get little more shut-eye after the jump!
1. A good sleep mask can help keep the morning sun out of your eyes. Mary Green's "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Silk Satin Sleep Mask is just what the stylish doctor ordered! - $37.50
2. The calming effect of lavender wrapped into one velvety little pillow should help you relax enough to get a few zzz's. Natura's Lavender Pillow is hypoallergenic and aromatic. - $100.80
3. The less light the better. Sleep soundly in utter darkness with Pottery Barn's Blackout Drape Liners. - $19-$69
4. Keep it quiet. A dense rug will absorb sound and World Market's Chainlink Carved Wool Rug is plush and affordable. - $99
5. Itunes Sleep Pillow Ambiance App will lull you into nocturnal bliss with it's soothing sounds for the mere cost of $1.99!
Sweet Dreams!
Images: 1: "Breakfast at Tiffany's" still photo via All About Children Dress; 2-4: as linked above; 5: Itunes via AppCraver
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And a cat right?! Ya gotta have a cat (or two, or three).....although that might not really help!
I agree with urbancricket and many sleep pros, bedtime rituals help my body and mind prepare for sleep.
As an occupational therapist, I also recommend using relaxation techniques to calm body and mind, such as, visualizing a calm place, progressive muscle relaxation, a warm bath one hour before bed time, relaxing music, etc.
Happy sleeping!!
Hard to screw up the concept of a "Breakfast at Tiffany's" mask, and yet, she managed it!
Don't forget an adorable orange tabby!
Ear plugs
Duvet
Silence
Night light
love-makin' and/or ambien pills...otherwise... NADA. :(
Totally agree with ironside and ihavecat (and for when I'm at my bf's, NativeNuYawkah ;)! Being the "big spoon" with my purry, furry cat is my cue for sleep and it works instantly. Sadly I'm off in grad school in another country without said cat, and instead I rely on audiobooks of old favorites. That way, I'm familiar with the plotlines and don't stay awake to hear what happens, but the story keeps my attention enough to slow down my thoughts and relax me. It's like storytime from when I was a kid. . . I highly recommend it!
In terms of the room itself, I am so much happier going to bed when my living area is clean and organized. And a big, fluffy, comfortable bed is always a help! I bought a cheap bed at Ikea a couple months ago thinking I didn't really need an expensive bed, and boy was I wrong. The thing squeaks at the slightest movement and the slats fall through frequently (I'm a petite 100 pound girl, so it is especially ridiculous). Skimping on beds is not advisable, as I'm already going to have to replace it and I'm sure I will sleep better for it. And when I do, I am splurging on a mattress pad, because those things are heavenly! I'm also a fan of bedtime rituals, like always having a pitcher of water at my bedside.
#6 is definitely a cat, as Ironsides pointed out.
The purring is a great sleep aid, but even if the kneading of little paws keeps you awake, that's so cute you'll gladly sacrifice the z's.
Kittens are definitely great sleep companions. I'm a crazy cat lady, so one of my favorite things is to go to sleep with all four of mine cuddled up around me.
I have to disagree, Ironsides- my adorable orange tabby woke me up approximately 700 times last night.
Ambien.
Temperature!
Our core body temperature drops while we're asleep, and it's thought that sleeping in a room that's 60-68 degrees is best to help your body maintain that temperature.
Also, if you're an allergy sufferer like me, I find that a cool room helps with my nasal inflammation.
As much as I love my 22-yr-old kitty, #6 is a door, shut with her on one side and me on the other. She enjoys occasionally nibbling my nose. I do not. We both sleep better on opposite sides of the door.
I've been having problems with my sleep from the time I was 7.
I sleep in earplugs for 8 years now (this is only way to get me through the night without being waken up).
I've changed my mattress to memory foam as it doesn't move that much when my partner moves.
To help me fall a sleep: lavender pillow, audiobooks and brainwave tuner app http://handheld.softpedia.com/get/Health/Utilities/Brainwave-Tuner-Lite-Android-96143.shtml.
In lieu of earplugs (they are not recommended for overnight use--they also hurt after one night, if you're me) I can recommend SleepPhones! Small company, great product. They're flat headphones that sit over your ears by way of a soft headband. Listen to some whitenoise, ambient music, or audiobooks while you sleep. If you can't have absolute silence, you can at least have relative silence.
I have the worst sleeping problems. I can go to sleep at 8 or 9 pm and I'll wake up at 3 or 4 am, then stay up for a few hours because I don't immediately go back to sleep and when I finally go to sleep and wake up, it's 1 or 2pm. Otherwise I'll go to sleep between 12 and 2 and I'll sleep for a full 12 to 14 hours. It's like God's telling me he doesn't want me to wake up in the mornings!
Arcane, I just bought a pair of SleepPhones as per your recommendation. Thanks so much for the link!