Like Brookhaven Retreat, your home should be your haven. A place to rest, de-stress and refresh your mental health. One of the most important rooms in your house to keep stress-free is your bedroom. Without adequate sleep, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depressive disorders and other mental health issues become difficult to manage. Therefore, your bedroom should be a healing environment that stimulates relaxation from the busy world and encourages peaceful sleep.
Here are some quick tips to create your very own sanctuary:
- Switch to lamps. Bright overhead lights stimulate us to stay awake, so they are often too intense for the bedroom. Using natural light from the window as well as a few dim lamps will instantly create a restful environment that gets you to sleep quicker.
- Try aromatherapy. Scent is directly linked to the brain; therefore, its power on our mood is tremendous. Adding a relaxing aroma such as lavender, jasmine, chamomile and rose to your bedtime routine can greatly influence your quality of sleep. Essential oils can be used as a spray on your sheets and pillow, in a bath, topically or in a room mister.
- Remove technology. TV’s, iPads, computers and smart phones make disconnecting from technology nearly impossible. Many women lie in bed watching their favorite television show or catching up on their social media, but studies suggest technology should be banned from the bedroom. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the artificial bright light from electronics reduces the amount of melatonin released in the body. Melatonin is a sleep hormone found naturally in our body, and according to research at Northwestern University, problems with its production have been linked to mood disorders. The NSF suggests unwinding without the use of electronics roughly an hour before bed.
- Embrace your vision. Your home is a reflection of you and your personality, and the bedroom is often where an individual’s uniqueness shines the most. When it comes to colors and themes, think of what relaxes you the most. If it is a beach vacation, focus on light blues and greens. If you find most relaxation in the mountains, include rustic woods and deep, comforting colors.
