You wouldn't guess that a regular alarm clock on your nightstand can turn your bedroom into a torture chamber.
A study in the Sleep Health Journal found that electronic devices with blue light suppress melatonin production by 23%.
Designer Bobby Berk from the show Queer Eye sounds the alarm: “People keep old photo albums, boxes and even exercise equipment in their bedrooms – it creates chaos in the subconscious.”
Reader Anna from Samara admitted: “I took out the chest of drawers with clothes and started getting 6 hours of sleep instead of 8!”
You know what else is harmful? Bright pictures with aggressive plots. Psychologist Dr. Ellen Vora explains in The Mindset Mentor podcast: “The brain processes visual images even in sleep.” Replace them with abstractions in pastel colors - and sleep like a baby.
But these are not all the enemies of your rest. Bedrooms often hide "silent killers" of coziness. For example, open shelves with books.
Architect Sarah Soule warns in Architectural Digest : "Dust on the spines of books triggers allergies, and clutter triggers anxiety."
Solution? Install cabinets with doors or use storage boxes in a consistent style.
Another mistake is high pile carpets.
They accumulate dust mites, which interfere with breathing. Designer Maria Young advises: “Choose a cork covering or a thin cotton rug that can be washed at 90 degrees Celsius.”
Don't forget about the color of the walls. A study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that cool shades (blue, gray) reduce cortisol levels, while red increases anxiety by 15%.
Reader Igor from Novosibirsk shared: “I repainted my bedroom in a soft mint color and stopped waking up at night.”
And one last piece of advice from sleep guru Matthew Walker : "Keep your room at 18-20 degrees. Buy a temperature-controlled blanket - it costs $100, but it changes your life."
Modern technology can help, too. Smart curtains with a timer that close at sunset, or lamps that simulate sunrise.
Designer Kelly Wearstler adds: "Automation is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Your bedroom should prepare for sleep for you."
Reader Marina from Yekaterinburg shared: “I installed a smart light - now I fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean and wake up to the singing of birds.”
