After a hectic day at work, there really is no place like home. IKEA recently commissioned a study on how people around the world end their days and the World-Wide Sleep Index study found that Malaysians have one of the shortest sleep durations in the world. We could use some help to make the most out of our time spent resting, so here are some tips to help you end the day the right way:
#1 Optimising comfort
Adding that modern, minimalist vibe to your room is easy when you keep it decluttered. Choosing the right base colour plays an important role in optimising the perfect sleeping environment. Choose gentle, calming colours for better and longer sleep to wake up feeling positively refreshed. The best colours for the bedroom are blue, green and yellow.
#2 Refresh your mattress
The quality of your sleep is directly linked with how satisfied you are with your mattress. Those who put effort in refreshing their bed are more satisfied with their beds, thus they enjoy better quality of sleep. If you want your mattress to mould to your body contours, then you need the foam mattress. Sprung mattresses distribute weight wonderfully, so there will be no undue pressure on any parts of the body, giving you a well-supported sleep. You can also add a mattress pad to get an extra layer of comfort, while protecting the mattress.
#3 Grab a new pillow
Find a pillow that suits your sleeping style to maximise comfort. Many pillows are designed to suit various positions. If you like sleeping on your stomach, a pillow with a thinner profile is more suitable. Like sleeping on your side? You will need a thicker and firmer pillow to make up for the space between your head and shoulders. Choosing the right pillow will help you get deeper sleep and avoid pesky neck aches.
#4 Take a hot bath
A hot bath causes the body temperature to rise, and rapidly cools it down once you step out of the shower. This rapid change in temperature is responsible for helping your body to relax. Try recreating a spa ambience by installing appropriate lighting and placing diffusers to emit your favourite aromatherapy scent for its therapeutic benefits. Aside from that, store all the extra toiletries away and reap the benefits of a harmonious, tidy bathroom.
#5 Smart lighting
Certain types of lights may harm our body and studies have shown that blue light has a negative effect on our biological clock and disturbs our sleep. Make sure you get enough bright light early in the day so that you can sleep better at night. To counter the negative effects of blue light, install dim red lights as the colour has the least power to affect your sleep rhythm.
#6 Unplug before bedtime
Our electronic devices often keep us awake past our bedtime. Make it a habit to disconnect from your devices at the end of each day to help your body unwind, recharge and wake up feeling refreshed the next morning.
For more information, visit the IKEA store at Mutiara Damansara or IKEA.my.
