How To Make Your Bedroom A More Relaxing Place
Now that we’re all spending much more time at home, it can feel like a blurring of boundaries in work, home, all areas of our lives. Now my dining room table has become my desk, my coffee table has become my dinner nook and my bedroom has become a multipurpose room in which I occasionally rest. I’ve read a lot of advice online about dividing up the space in your home for specific functions so that you don’t always feel the need to answer emails in bed. But if you’re like me and have regretfully been doing that from the start then read on, as I’ve found some ways to turn your bedroom back into a place of rest.
Not sponsored, products gifted.
Embrace Aromatherapy
I’ve always enjoyed the act of lighting a candle to signify the start of relaxation time. There’s something about the physical act that helps me know to stop turn off my brain and focus solely on unwinding. And now I’m incorporating essential oil sprays from Aiden & Coco (kindly gifted) to step up my aromatherapy game. These sprays are all natural, sustainably made, and vegan sprays for your body and the room. My favorite is CALM, a mix of lavender, white sage and bergamot, that I’ve been spraying the bedding with every night for a more peaceful sleep. I also love to sprits the room with DAWN in the morning, a blend of rosemary, eucalyptus and frankincense, when I want to feel a bit more alert.
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Have a Bedtime Routine
One thing I’m working to create is a bedtime routine that I can actually stick with. This is something that I still struggle with because sometimes I just can’t pull myself away from a late night video editing sesh, which I’m fine with, as long as it’s not a daily occurrence. I think it’s helpful to at least envision what your bedtime routine should look like and then try to follow it as often as possible and forgiving yourself when work (or Netflix marathons) run late.
My nighttime routine, on a good day, includes some minimal nighttime skincare and haircare (curly girls will understand). Usually I’m asleep the minute my head hits the pillow but any trouble getting to bed is always remedied with some reading. My boyfriend Kyle on the other hand is a master of the nighttime routine, which includes a cup of sleepy time tea while listening to a jazz record, reading some self help book and then meditation. Another person with a substantial bedtime routine? Antoni Porowski of Queer Eye. You can read about it here, but I once heard in an interview that he also takes a few hours each night listening to records to unwind. Fascinating stuff.
Turn Off Netflix
Speaking of Netflix, you all will probably hate me for this one but hear me out. Watching tv in bed is a slippery slope for me and one boundary I have to strictly adhere to for a good sleep. And I can never turn on Netflix during the day because it’s an instant productivity suck for me. I reserve my tv intake to roughly two episodes after (and usually during) dinner time. I don’t mind watching tv while eating but the idea of a nightly Netflix binge is just not the way I’m able to unwind. Does anyone else experience overstimulation from television and movies? I find myself carrying the stress and anxiety of what I’ve watched for long after the credits roll, so that really limits screen time and even genre for me. Perhaps the effects of tv is not such a noticeable influence for you, but it could still be affecting you on a more subconscious level so it’s something to be mindful of.
It’s All In the Sheets
In my true Taurean nature, I love to surround myself with objects that both look and feel beautiful. It’s also something my mom used to comment on when I was growing up, the softness of a certain thread count or choosing a soothing color palette. These are all factors that I really take to heart when creating the perfect bedroom environment and I feel like I’ve nailed down what works for me. So what works for you? Do you prefer linen or cotton sheets? Do you like an overstuffed pillow or none at all? What textures and colors do you like? Do you have a cute throw blanket and complimentary pillows to “dress” your bed so it looks neat, tidy and inviting when you’re not in it? And this should go without saying but make your bed in the morning - it really makes the biggest difference!
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