Showing all posts tagged sleep

In General

Bedroom Design Basics

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

bedroom design, pillows

When the boys were babies and toddlers, I really didn’t have the time, or inclination, to be thinking about bedroom design. Bed was something I flopped into at the end of the day and hopefully got some sleep. The decor went unnoticed. Our room tends to be the place everything gets dumped quite functional in nature however now they are older it’s about time I turn my hand to creating this bedroom haven people talk about.

Here are some bedroom design basics to help you and me start creating a grown up bedroom we enjoy spending time in.  

The Clear Out

If, like our room, your bedroom has probably become the home dumping ground over the last half-decade or so, it is going to need a clear out. Every single piece of clutter either needs a new home or a trip to the rubbish tip. Clothes and wardrobes need to be sorted and we need to be ruthless. Am I really going to get back in those ten-year-old jeans? Unlikely! Charity shops are crying out for good quality items, although you can also think about selling your old things on something like eBay. Any proceeds you make can be a contribution to your bedroom upgrades.

The Bedroom Design Planning

Next, don’t dive into your bedroom redesign without thinking about it first. The chances are that your personality has changed a little from the last time you did this – which could be 8,9 or even ten years ago. Do we want curtains or blinds? Should we invest in some storage? Do we want to keep our beloved books on shelves everywhere, or do we fancy something a little more minimal? The first item of business when it comes to bedroom design planning is to create a bedroom bucket list and start working out what you need. 

The Bed

The focus on any bedroom is all about the bed. It’s worth investing some time and energy in finding the best, most comfortable bed and mattress you can afford – it can make such a big difference. Some people like cast iron bed frames, others may prefer a traditional headboard and footboard. The best bet is to go out to your local bed store and try some out for yourself – you get a much better feel in person that you do from just browsing online. However, the mattress is probably the most critical aspects of your room. With a good mattress, sleep is easy to achieve, and rest and relaxation will become second nature.  We are in DESPERATE need of a new bed and a really good mattress so this is high on our bucket list.

The Sheets

An often forgotten part of creating a truly relaxing haven in your bedroom is the sheets. Good quality bed linen and covers can make a massive difference to your ability to relax. Crisp, white sheets and beautiful throws are a must, of course, but make sure you don’t overdo it. You don’t want to struggle with an overload of pillows every night, plus, it will take you an age to make your bed each morning – which kind of defeats the objective. There’s nothing quite like snuggling down into a well-made, fabulous-feeling bed.

Bedroom Design and Lighting

One of the most important aspects of a relaxing bedroom is the lighting. Think about this before you make a choice about colours and decor, as it is vital to get things just right. Ultimately, this all depends on whether you relax better in the dark, or prefer a good dose of natural light streaming in through the windows. If the former, go for thick curtains or blinds. If the latter, ensure you get super light curtains – but still enough to diffuse the sunlight that comes in. 

One of the best decisions we ever made when it comes to our bedroom was to use a Lumie lamp which wakes us upon time gently each morning using increasing light levels, rather than a jarring alarm.

Colours and Moods

If you want a relaxing haven for your bedroom, it’s best to go for warm, calming colours. White in a bedroom can be a little sterile, and anything too bright is going to be on the excitable side. Palettes of black, dark grey, dark green or even navy can work for your overall colour scheme. Alternatively, try for some natural colours such as forest greens, wood browns, and stones.

Any blissful bedroom tips to share? Let everyone know in the comments section below!

 

In General

Balancing Your Mental And Physical Health

Author Nicki CawoodPosted on

mental and physical health, beach, sea

Your mental and physical health go hand in hand; taking care of them both simultaneously is an absolute must for a long, happy, healthy life. You can’t just exercise and eat right while ignoring your spiritual and emotional needs. You might look good on the outside, but it’s doubtful that you’ll feel good on the inside. This is something I’ve learned over the years and is something I wish I’d known sooner.

Many things you do can affect both your mental and physical health as one; it’s very rare that one doesn’t influence the other. Read on for some *useful advice on taking care of both aspects of your health:

Exercise And Eat Right

Exercising and eating right isn’t just good for the way you look and your physical health, but the way you feel, too. Exercising and eating right can have the following benefits:

  • Stronger body
  • Better quality of life
  • Find it easier to perform certain tasks
  • Live a longer life
  • Have a healthier mind and happier outlook
  • Fend off mental and physical diseases
  • Stress relief

Above are just a few of the main benefits of eating right and exercising. You don’t have to be perfect, and you certainly don’t have to exercise every day. Simply getting into a routine that works for your lifestyle will work. Just remember that you need to enjoy it, or you won’t stick to it! This has long been something that I have struggled with but I am making the effort and trying new things. From a mental and physical health point of view though I need to keep my efforts up.

Find Work That You Enjoy

We spend the majority of our lives at work, so it’s super important to find work that we enjoy. If you’re going to work 5 days a week in a job that means absolutely nothing to you, you’re likely not going to feel great. Work is a huge drain on your time and energy, so you want to make sure that it’s meaningful to you and that you enjoy it. If you’re really into a subject, let’s use fitness as an example, start looking at courses you can take and personal trainer interview questions to prepare. You can always change your working situation if you want to, so don’t feel like you’re stuck. Put an emergency fund into savings and figure out what your dream is. Go for it. Life is too short not to! I took the big scary leap into self-employment over twelve years ago when my eldest was born and haven’t looked back.

Meditate to Aid Mental and Physical Health

Meditation is an activity that we would all do every day if we only understood it and the benefits. Meditation helps us to get in touch with who we really are at our core and helps us to feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves – which we are. Below are some more benefits of meditation:

  • More clarity
  • More creativity
  • A happier, calmer outlook
  • A more positive mindset
  • More focus
  • Better sleep
  • Better physical health
  • Less stress

If we could all just meditate for at least 10 minutes a day, it would do us the world of good. Rather than turning to an escape, meditate. Use an app to help you. If you get into a consistent routine, you will soon experience the benefits for yourself. It’ll likely be hard at first, but all good things are worth the effort. I meditate and completed a mindfulness diploma at the beginning of the year. I’ve not looked back.

Find Ways To Reduce Stress

Stress is a big hindrance for both physical and mental health. By finding ways to reduce stress, you’ll find that work gets easier, maintaining your home is a breeze, and you actually meet your health and fitness goals more easily. Just because stress is invisible, doesn’t mean you don’t suffer from it. It can cause tummy aches, hair loss, appetite changes, sleep changes, and more. It really is something you need to watch out for and combat if possible. Easier said than done, I know, but even small changes can alleviate stress.

Make Sure You’re Getting Adequate Quality Sleep

Getting plenty of sleep is good, but getting plenty of high-quality sleep is better. If you’re getting 9 hours a night but it’s broken, you’re going to feel just as bad in the morning as if you got less than 6.

People tend to need varying amounts of sleep, depending on age, activity levels, climate, and more. One person might function well on 6 hours a night, somebody else may need 9. Aim for 8 hours quality sleep and see how you feel. You’ll know if you need more or less based on whether you feel like snoozing your alarm in the morning, and how you feel throughout the day!

To help your body get into a natural rhythm, go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning. You may not even need an alarm if you do that for long enough. Just remember to do it on weekends too. If you find yourself constantly wanting to sleep in on the weekend, it’s a sign of sleep deprivation during the week. Below are pointers that will help you to get better sleep in order to make positive changes to your mental and physical health:

  • Wind down at least an hour before bed with no technology
  • Avoid caffeine later on in the day
  • Drink sleep tea before bed time
  • Make sure your bedroom and bed is suitable
  • Take a hot bath
  • Set a nice atmosphere with room sprays and aromatherapy
  • Make sure your room is completely dark

I thrive on six hours of quality sleep, other people are different. What we (Roy and I) do love is our Lumie lamp which gently wakes up with increasing levels of light rather than a jarring loud alarm going off.

Take Time Every Day For Self-Care

You should be taking time every day for self-care, whether that’s exercising or making yourself a nice healthy meal. When you take better care of yourself, you can take better care of those around you.

Spend Less Time With Toxic People

If you have toxic people in your life, it’s time to remember that they could be draining you. Pay attention to the people who make you feel energized and those who make you feel drained and not good enough. This is a lesson I learned the hard way and can now say that I surround myself only with positive people, people who bring happiness to my life and I’m very grateful for them.

*These tips, based on my own experiences are no substitution for proper medical advice so please see your GP if you are struggling with your physical or mental health.

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