As we move into the second month of the new year, don’t let your yearly resolution of self-care and better sleep idle as ideation -- kick it into action! Time and time again, we have heard how sleep is the cornerstone of a healthy mind and body. And this claim isn’t an old wive’s tale. So why, despite cutting out caffeine, getting into bed at 10 pm, and getting plenty of exercise in, is it so hard to get a good night’s sleep?Cluttery, unkempt spaces in your house could be the main culprit of restless sleep and thereafter, poor mental health. Here are a couple of ways to reclaim your living spaces and finally get the rest you deserve.
1. Wash your sheets
Keeping your duvet and mattress covered with freshly washed sheets not only keeps your nostrils happy with those notes of billowy, aromatic laundry detergent, but also, research shows that fresh sheets are positively correlated with better sleep. The National Sleep Association reported that 73% of people experienced better sleep on clean sheets -- not to mention, improved romantic life too. Depending on your living conditions (if your sleeping buddy happens to have a lot of fur or if you have allergies), SleepFoundation.org recommends that we change sheets every 3 to 4 days to rid our bed of built-up impurities, like dirt, excess oil, dead skin cells, dust mites, and whatever your dog brings to bed.
2. Get rid of unnecessary things in your sleeping area
Whether it is your unfolded clothes from laundry day covering your carpet or your bedside table overcrowded with knick knacks, the clutter pervading your room might be disrupting your REM cycle. According to Psychiatrist Sherrie Bourg Carter, clutter from messy home or work spaces can fill our mind with excessive stimuli, distracting us from focusing on rest and recovery for the night. To remedy our clutter-based anxiety, we should focus on clearing our bedroom of disorganized clothes and items and finally get some shut-eye!
3. Vacuum and wipe-down your room
You might have thought roommates were of bygone days, but that unsuspecting rug might be housing millions of dust mites, irritating your allergies and disrupting your sleep! According to a research study done in 2017, house dust mites are the main antagonizers of respiratory allergies. As we all know too well, the sneezing and sniffling of irritated allergies can cause us to lose out on restful REM. Making sure to routinely vacuum and dust your living areas is essential to keep your sneezes and wheezes at bay.
An average person will spend one third of their life in bed, and too much of it is spent tossing and turning! This year, make it your goal to get restful and rejuvenating sleep. We know how overwhelming it may seem to clear out the clutter, disinfect your room, and keep up with laundry, especially after a long day. At ToDoolie, we understand the importance of good sleep and we are here to help alleviate the stress that comes with cleaning. Hire a local Helper to help organize and clean your space and start getting those Z’s in!
