5 Ways to Make your Bedroom a Calming Oasis

Modern living is stressful, and it can be difficult to find time for yourself amidst busy schedules of work, school and socializing. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) Stress in America Survey (2014), 69% of adults say stress has impacted their personal relationships. Nearly half report feeling irritable or angry, and more than a third feel anxious. A bedroom oasis is important to encourage relaxation and better sleep so you can feel refreshed and ready to seize the day! Here are some tips on how you can make your bedroom a calming oasis:

1. Add Plants Around Your Bedroom
Potted plants add color, structure and beauty around your space while helping clean the air inside your bedroom. The best ones for this, as per NASA research, are aloe, English ivy and spider plants as they release oxygen at night and absorb carbon dioxide! Moreover, the foliage may help reduce noise levels and if you still think it’s too much to care for, opt for faux silk plants.

2. Have a Basin Near Your Bed Room
A sink or basin near your bedroom is beneficial for many reasons. A glass of warm water before bed helps you relax and unwind, and it has the added benefit of increasing melatonin (the sleep hormone). If you like to read before bed, make sure there’s a light right beside the basin, so you don’t damage your eyes. Opt for a dimmer-style lamp if possible. Also, be mindful of your bathroom choices,` avoid anything that may increase stress such as clutter, strong-smelling items` (perfumes/colognes), or too much natural light.

3. Add a Headphone Socket to your Bedroom
A headphone socket is your escape from the rest of the world and helps you unwind by listening to music or watching TV without disturbing others. It’s important to make it part of your bedtime ritual and create a “sacred space” for yourself in this way. Also, it’s important to be mindful of your music choices! Avoid anything that will increase anxiety or stress. Again, keep it soft and soothing.

4. Apply Lavender Essential Oil with a Humidifier
The lavender essential oil has been shown to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) and increase serotonin production, contributing to better sleep! Adding lavender oil with a humidifier is an easy way to have richer, more restful slumber throughout the night and feel refreshed upon waking up. In some cases, people experience drowsiness when exposed to lavender oil. Again, making this a part of your bedtime routine will help you unwind and prepare for a great night’s sleep.

5. Have a Calm Night Time Ritual
Make your bedroom calming oasis by instituting a bedtime ritual to build positive, sleep-inducing habits. For example, take a warm bath with lavender oil one hour before bed or write in a journal about the best moments of your day, then set out your clothes for tomorrow night and have them ready when you need to get up early in the morning. This helps you wake up feeling refreshed instead of groggy and overwhelmed.

In conclusion, incorporating these five ways to make your bedroom a calming oasis is important for everyone’s well-being. You will feel calmer, more relaxed and ready to face the day!