Sleep Forum

[Emilie]

It's now time to focus on that bedroom of yours! This week is all about creating a pleasant sleep environment - your Sleep Sanctuary!

Our questions for you this week:
1. How have you transformed your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary?
2. What did you find most enjoyable about creating your sleep sanctuary?
3. What’s the greatest improvement you’ve seen in your sleep after this week?

We want you to share your before and after bedroom transformations in the forum below for your chance to win one of 5 x A.H. Beard Sleep Dot, Mini Sleep Trackers.

[Amyecrook]

I love my block out curtains, making it really dark in my room. This week I've brought a plant into my bedroom, and have tidied up that open cupboard with clothes spilling out all over the floor so the door is actually shut! Looking forward to a week free of clutter and full of calm.

[Ackas]

Hi Everyone, As for creating a sleeping sanctuary, I'm lucky. I have a granny flat out back and it's away from street sound and the blinds work really well.
As for the temperature, the place has Aircon and I used it for the first time the other day just to cool off as I went off to sleep. It did the trick but I turned it off before nodding off completely so I avoid getting a dry mouth which A/C does for me.
I did have 1 bad night after I took off one too many blankets and I was too tired to get up and add another, but the next night was much better.
I did have 2 bad nights over the weekend when I seemed to get a bit of a cold, it was the weekend so I made up on lost sleep.

I hope everyone else too is getting a better night's sleep.

[dvgiles@adam.com.au]

The best decision I've made for a better sleep is buying the A. H. BEARD
Adjustable bed and medium density mattress.. I was also advised to download the sleep cycle application.
I have without a doubt having a better night sleep averaging from 78%-100%.. This bed adjusted to zero gravity with 30 minute massage before nodding off, then upon waking up adjusting the bed back to straight level and then 10 minute low massage before waking up is the key to a fresh and fabulous day.

[fifigalore]

I already have block out blinds as do night shift.No TV no electronics in bedroom.
As the weather has got warmer the worsening of restless legs with over heating has begun, start off cold but then wake up too hot. time for spring/summer time PJs.

[deepsleep101]

I find I am not bothered particularly by noise or light. The temperature in the room and blankets are what I like to be just right. Three children coming and going in and out of our bedroom overnight are probably the most common reason for waking, but its not that often and I don't mind that. I like to have a few magazines by the bed to read I just stock up at the library. I haven't found the perfect pillow yet, I baulk at spending a lot on a pillow so of course the cheapies don't last! I love freshly washed sheets and always take water to bed. The best improvement in sleep for me is being disciplined about bedtime so I don't stay up too late as I am otherwise a real night owl. I try to remind myself to get more sleep hours before midnight, its a process!

We cannot under-estimate the importance of discipline around sleep. So often I hear that "time just got away" and instead of going to bed at the planned time of 10pm, you go to bed at 11.30pm - midnight. The best way to circumvent this is to set an alarm one hour before bedtime, to remind yourself that your sleep time is approaching and at this time you can start to wind down so that you will be ready and able to go to sleep at your planned time.
And just a word of advice regarding the pillow - we sleep for a third of our lives so it is important that we have the most comfortable bedding we can afford - not only will it give us a great night sleep, but it will also last longer. Keep up the good work! Dr Carmel

[Owl]

I found a nice rack to hang clothes etc. on to eliminate the floordrobe as a source of clutter. My partner sleeps hot and I cold, so the combination of open window and extra blankets keeps us both comfortable. Fresh sheets weekly, letting the sun pour in in the afternoon (when it comes out) onto the bed/bedding also helps keep it feeling fresh & clean.

[Chaylah]

This is one area that I started years ago. I always have my room at just the right temperature for me.
I have just the right weight from my blankets - I hate it when the blankets are too light when I feel cold.
I always make sure that there is no light sources in my room when I'm asleep - my alarm clock is my cell phone which I face down so I don't see any light at all.
The only noise that I can't control is when my flatmate unlocks the front door in the morning. She leaves about an hour before I want to wake up. I don't always hear it though.

[DrCarmel]

I love my block out curtains, making it really dark in my room. This week I've brought a plant into my bedroom, and have tidied up that open cupboard with clothes spilling out all over the floor so the door is actually shut! Looking forward to a week free of clutter and full of calm.

That's great! When we take time to create our sleep sanctuary we send powerful messages to our brain that this is our safe haven where we will be secure during our sleep, enabling our body and brain to enjoy deep and consolidated sleep. By taking the time during our wakeful hours to do this, we will reap the benefits during our sleep hours. Keep up the good work. Dr Carmel

[DrCarmel]

Hi Everyone, As for creating a sleeping sanctuary, I'm lucky. I have a granny flat out back and it's away from street sound and the blinds work really well.
As for the temperature, the place has Aircon and I used it for the first time the other day just to cool off as I went off to sleep. It did the trick but I turned it off before nodding off completely so I avoid getting a dry mouth which A/C does for me.
I did have 1 bad night after I took off one too many blankets and I was too tired to get up and add another, but the next night was much better.
I did have 2 bad nights over the weekend when I seemed to get a bit of a cold, it was the weekend so I made up on lost sleep.

I hope everyone else too is getting a better night's sleep.

Sounds like your sleep is improving which is fabulous! It is interesting how much the room temperature can affect our sleep. Research indicates that the ideal room temperature for sleep is around 18 - 19 degrees, which explains why we all get a bit sleep deprived during those hot summer nights. Air conditioning has certainly made a difference, but for those who do not have it, a fan can work well. A fan has the added advantage of being a great source of white noise and so effectively reduces our sense of outside noise allowing us to more easily get into our deep sleep. Dr Carmel