Everybody knows the basics of what not to do before bed. Thinks like drinking lots of coffee and gorging yourself on food can inhibit the full sleeping experience. However, there are some things you can miss if you haven’t done your research. Lots of things can affect your sleeping pattern and it’s good to stay informed if you want to feel well-rested every morning.

1. Color can affect a lot of things

Color is one of the most important things when it comes to room decorations. Understandably, some people might prefer vibrant colors and interesting patterns on their wall. However, not all colors are created equal. Some can affect the quality of your sleep. Bright and bold isn’t the way to go if you want some good shut-eye when you hit the sack. Chaotic patterns act much like clutter because they excite the mind and encourage activity.

If your brain is buzzing and registering these patterns as something worth staying awake, it will prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. It’s best to keep your walls a calming color with as a few patterns as possible. Earthy tones and hues are the way to go.

2. Blue lights are bad lights

With the amount of technology that surrounds us increasing constantly, you will find more things that shine brightly in the dark than ever before. Some of these lights come from screens on standby or phones being charged. Either way, they aren’t very good for sleep. Research has shown that the blue lights emitted by electronics can disrupt your sleep patterns and even wake you up if you aren’t a very heavy sleeper.

Light triggers the body’s natural mechanism for waking up. Even having your phone light up from a message can suddenly reduce the amount of melatonin your body is producing. This will affect light sleepers the most, so they should focus on diverting those light sources from their bed,

3. The mattress does the heavy lifting

They can be quite expensive purchases nowadays, but quality mattresses are essential nonetheless. Sleeping on an old and worn out mattress can harmful for both your back and sleeping patterns. With an inadequate one, you might find yourself sleepy and groggy even with a full nights’ sleep.

Getting a good mattress is a solid investment either way you look at it. For starters, you get to enjoy the comfort it provides, but you also get to appreciate some quality sleep. Memory foam is considered a top choice when it comes to healthy sleeping. The material gently contours around your body and helps you get into healthy positions while you sleep.

4. Windows are a weak point

Once the sun goes down, lights go up. Street lights and cars illuminate the night and they can enter through your window and disrupt your shut-eye. Getting your window covered properly is crucial if you want an uninterrupted snooze. A good way to cover a window and prevent that pesky light from entering is getting yourself some Venetian blinds or window awnings. If you don’t know where to look, well-known companies like Oztech can give you some good examples.

Light isn’t the only thing creeping into your bedroom, there are also lots of noises to look out for. Nightlife is dynamic and loud, but there’s no reason for it to keep you up if you just want to hit the sack. Soundproof your windows and aim for thicker walls for your bedroom to keep out unwanted noises.

5. The temperature will make or break sleep

Whether it’s keeping warm in the winter or keeping cool in the summer, the temperature is a hot topic when it comes to sleep. It’s understandable that going too high or too low won’t be comfortable when you’re in bed. When it’s too hot out, AC units and fans are often used, but they can be noisy and inefficient. This doesn’t mean you should stop using them, however.

Getting good thermal insulation should be your goal. If possible, upgrade your walls and windows so that heat isn’t constantly entering your home and it has time to cool down during the night. There are blankets that you can use in both winter and summer, due to being made from good insulators that will keep both the heat and the cold.

Conclusion

Sleep is more complicated than we give it credit for. Just about everything can affect your sleep pattern and you have to be prepared to make some changes.  Changing the color of your walls and covering your windows might not seem like much of a change, but doing these things will ensure you have a proper night’s sleep.