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How to Improve Your Sleeping Space?
Feeling overwhelmed? Your bedroom may not be helping. Did you invest in a few cans of orange paint, just because you saw someone on Pinterest do it? It’s important to remember bright and stimulating colors like vibrant red or neon shades can be overwhelming, hindering relaxation. Similarly, bold patterns or overly busy designs can lead to visual clutter, causing unease and restlessness.
Soltech loves to recommend green spaces for sleeping. The color green itself can help reduce stress, and can help boost feelings of tranquility. Don’t get caught up in paint swatches alone, though! Plants can also enhance sleep quality, and have both calming and air-purifying properties.
What are the Best Bedroom Plants?
Here are some of our favorite plants to consider for bedroom renovation:
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia):
Lavender is renowned for its relaxing aroma, which has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, promoting better sleep. The scent of lavender has a calming effect on the nervous system, helping to ease restlessness and induce a sense of tranquility. Placing a potted lavender plant on your bedroom nightstand or windowsill can release its soothing fragrance, aiding in falling asleep faster and enjoying a more peaceful slumber.
Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller):
Aside from being an excellent air purifier, Aloe Vera emits oxygen at night, making it an ideal bedroom companion. Improved air quality can lead to better breathing and overall well-being, which in turn contributes to a more restful sleep. Moreover, Aloe Vera has cooling properties, providing a pleasant ambiance that can be beneficial, especially during warm nights.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata):
The Snake Plant, also known as the Mother-in-Law's Tongue, is another powerful air purifier that can help remove toxins from the air, improving indoor air quality. By absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during the night, this plant ensures a cleaner and fresher atmosphere, which is beneficial for undisturbed sleep.
Jasmine (Jasminum spp.):
Jasmine, with its delicate white flowers and sweet fragrance, is not only aesthetically pleasing but also has sleep-inducing properties. Studies have shown that the scent of jasmine can lead to reduced anxiety levels and increased sleep quality, making it an excellent choice for the bedroom.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.):
Peace lilies are known for their air-purifying capabilities, removing pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. These harmful substances can negatively impact respiratory health and disrupt sleep. By eliminating such toxins, the peace lily contributes to a cleaner and healthier sleep environment.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis):
Valerian is an herbal plant used for centuries as a natural remedy for insomnia and sleep disturbances. Its root extract is known to have sedative properties that can help improve sleep quality and reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. Growing a Valerian plant in the bedroom or using its essential oil can create a calming atmosphere conducive to restful sleep.
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum):
Golden Pothos is a low-maintenance and versatile plant that can thrive in various indoor conditions. Apart from being an air purifier, it also helps to regulate humidity levels, ensuring a comfortable sleep environment. Proper humidity can prevent issues like dry throats and congestion, making it easier to breathe during the night.
Blue Lights Versus Soltech Grow Lights
Throughout the year, our bodies adapt to the changing conditions of the world around us. However, each person follows their own natural circadian rhythm. This is a natural, internal process which regulates the sleep-wake cycle and influences various physiological functions in living organisms, including humans.
The circadian rhythm operates on a roughly 24-hour cycle and is primarily influenced by light and darkness. When exposed to natural light during the day, the brain signals the production of hormones like cortisol, promoting wakefulness and alertness. Conversely, as darkness sets in, this same part of the brain triggers the release of melatonin, a hormone that induces drowsiness and prepares the body for sleep.
From day to day, modern humans experience disruptions to their sleep schedules. Exposure to artificial light at night can also disrupt the circadian rhythm, leading to sleep disturbances and potential health issues. This is especially true of blue light, which comes from digital screens or blue-white LEDs. You can avoid these negative effects by choosing warm-white LEDs, such as the ones utilized in Soltech products.
By using proper plant lighting, you can not only ensure the health of your bedroom garden, but can also maintain a consistent sleep schedule. While all our products could find a spot in any room in your house, we recommend our all new Grove™ LED grow light option for sleep spaces. The bar light structure makes it ideal for getting creative in tight spaces, especially under shelves and above desks or cabinetry.
Whatever you choose, you’ll be happy to know all Soltech products come with a compatible outlet timer, so customers can take the guesswork out of limiting exposure to unnatural light. Your plants will flourish on the proper schedule, and so will you!
Other Organic Furniture and Elements
Today, we are all looking beyond the fridge to find out what else we can swap out for more wholesome, organic options. In a place like the bedroom, one obvious place to start is the bed. Consider finding a sustainably, organically sourced mattress option- we love Avocado mattresses! For bedding, Soltech is excited to see an abundance of organic cotton bedding options flooding the market. Pick one which best suits your style and decor, and get ready to sleep in peace every evening.
Photo courtesy of Avocado Green Mattress®
For any other furniture needs which may pop up in your room, look to Sabai. Built-to-order using sustainable materials and designed with your ease and comfort in mind for the long haul, you’ll be sure to love whatever you invest in.
Oftentimes, we envision serene spaces as so muted, they may even come across bland. Keeping things calm does not have to mean impersonal, and we want to encourage all our customers to get creative. Just because you don’t invest in an electric blue or fuschia color wash for your sleeping space, doesn’t mean you have to ditch your pinterest boards for good. Just remember to keep your needs in mind for better relaxation.
You can find a variety of other ethically sourced home goods from various sites which will connect you with artisans worldwide creating beautiful, on-of-a-kind decor. So go crazy, embrace your inner maximalist, and find some knick-knacks and other tchotchkes. All of these little statements will tie together a garden and make it the perfect example of you and your personality.
Houseplants and Humidity Management
Plants can help manage humidity by a process known as transpiration. As plants absorb water through their roots, they release moisture into the air through tiny pores in their leaves. This natural process can increase humidity in dry conditions and regulate it when it's excessively high. Certain plants, like Boston ferns, peace lilies, and Areca palms, are particularly effective at enhancing indoor humidity. While they might not drastically alter humidity levels, incorporating these plants can contribute to a more balanced and comfortable atmosphere, which is especially beneficial for promoting better sleep and overall well-being.
Low humidity can lead to feeling “dried” out in the morning, causing sore throats and nasal congestion. These feelings can be greatly exacerbated in the winter, when the air is colder and drier. Managing humidity can be difficult, and striking a balance between too much and too little moisture in the air is incredibly important.
High humidity levels can have a negative impact on sleep quality and overall well-being, as well. When the air is excessively humid, it contains an elevated amount of moisture, leading to discomfort and potential health issues during sleep. One of the primary problems associated with high humidity is difficulty in temperature regulation. Humid air feels warmer than dry air, making it harder for the body to release excess heat. This can result in discomfort, restlessness, and disrupted sleep as the body struggles to maintain a comfortable temperature. Additionally, increased humidity can lead to excessive sweating, which not only disrupts sleep but also increases the risk of dehydration.
Furthermore, high humidity can impact the body's natural sleep cycle by affecting the regulation of the circadian rhythm. The body relies on the drop in temperature during the night to signal the release of melatonin, the hormone that induces sleepiness. In humid conditions, the body might not experience this drop in temperature, potentially leading to difficulties in falling asleep and staying asleep.
Excessive humidity also fosters an environment conducive to the growth of allergens and mold. Dust mites and mold thrive in damp conditions, which can exacerbate allergies and respiratory issues. These allergens can irritate airways and lead to snoring, coughing, and breathing difficulties, further disrupting sleep quality.
To mitigate the negative effects of high humidity on sleep, it's crucial to maintain a well-ventilated sleep environment and control indoor humidity levels. Plants create their own microclimate of humidity, which actually helps regulate the moisture level throughout the space you're in. In addition to your garden, utilizing breathable bedding materials and keeping the bedroom well-ventilated can aid in managing humidity-related sleep disturbances.
DIY For Better Sleep with Homegrown Lavender
Making a lavender eye pillow is a simple and effective DIY project that can help improve sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. You can even grow your own lavender for the project right in your own bedroom. We recommend our Aspect™ grow light, Soltech’s flagship grow light model. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating your own lavender eye pillow:
Materials you'll need:
- Fabric (soft and preferably natural, like cotton or linen)
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Dried lavender buds
- Flaxseeds or rice (for weight)
- Scissors
- Funnel (optional)
- Essential oil (optional, for added scent)
Steps:
Harvest and Dry Lavender:
- Harvest lavender when the flowers are in full bloom. Use scissors to cut stems just above the leaves. Bundle stems together and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area to dry.
Cut Fabric:
- Cut two rectangular pieces of fabric, each measuring about 8-10 inches in length and 4-5 inches in width. You can adjust the size based on your preference.
Sew Three Sides:
- Place the fabric pieces with the right sides facing each other. Sew along three sides, leaving one of the shorter sides open. This will be the opening through which you'll fill the pillow.
Add Lavender and Fill Material:
- Using a funnel or by creating a paper cone, pour dried lavender buds into the pouch you've sewn. Then, add flaxseeds or rice to provide weight and pressure. The combination of lavender's scent and the gentle pressure can be soothing for your eyes.
Close the Opening:
- After filling the pouch with the desired amount of lavender and filling material, sew the open side shut securely. Make sure the stitches are tight to prevent any leakage.
Optional:
- If you want to enhance the lavender scent, you can add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the filling before sealing the pouch.
Test and Relax:
- Place the lavender eye pillow over your eyes and forehead while lying down. The weight of the pillow and the soothing scent of lavender can help relax your facial muscles and promote a sense of calmness.
Storage:
- When not in use, store the lavender eye pillow in a cool, dry place to preserve the scent. Over time, the scent might fade, but you can refresh it by gently massaging the pillow to release more of the lavender fragrance.
Creating a lavender eye pillow is a wonderful way to incorporate aromatherapy into your bedtime routine. The combination of the pillow's gentle pressure and the calming scent of lavender can contribute to relaxation and improved sleep quality. Just remember that while lavender can be beneficial for many people, individual responses to scents may vary.
Conclusion:
Now, you can get started redecorating your room, or just start small with a fun weekend craft. Better sleep doesn’t happen overnight- although it sure would be nice if it did! Don’t stress about it, Soltech has the perfect way to get into a more comfortable sleep situation with our sunset spectrum and simple, beautiful fixtures which will give you the perfect circadian rhythm correcting rays. The included timer will do even better to support your new schedule! Enjoy!
