Sleep is vital to our health and well-being; it gives our bodies and minds the time needed to rest and repair themselves, enabling us to perform at our best the next day. However, it is not just the amount of sleep you have that is important; the quality of that sleep is also essential.
Many things can affect the quality of your sleep, like stress and screen light, but does your bedroom colour affect your sleep quality too?
There are times when it is easy to fall asleep, and other times when sleep is elusive and just cannot be found. Sleep is often difficult when stressed, so it makes sense to create a relaxing environment to help us unwind from a busy day and prepare for a well-earned snooze.
Melatonin is known as the sleep hormone and helps to control our sleep-wake cycle, known as the circadian rhythm. Melatonin is produced by our brains in response to darkness and enables us to relax, fall, and stay asleep. However, if our brains become stimulated, this will block melatonin production, which makes sleep difficult and sometimes impossible.
Which colours are best for the bedroom?
Our brains are stimulated by many things, one of which is colour. It can affect our mood and, therefore, the chances of us getting a quality night’s sleep. By understanding how colours affect our mood, we can create a restful environment and increase the chances of having the quality slumber we need.
Restful blues
The colour blue is very familiar to us – We see it often in the sky and the sea. This familiarity makes blue a good choice for the bedroom as it can have a calming, soothing effect on the brain, making it easier to unwind and relax, ready for sleep. Choose light blue tones to create a restful, airy feel.
Natural greens
Like blue, green is a colour we are familiar with, as we see it in many different shades throughout nature in grasses, trees and plants. It is a colour we associate with the outdoors and calmness and tranquillity, both of which are excellent for sleep. Muted greens, light greens and sages are gentle colours and perfect for pairing together to create a relaxing and tranquil space ideal for sleeping.
Soothing white
White is a clean, comforting colour which can help us feel beautifully serene. However, people often think that white can feel a little clinical if used on its own. So, instead of having the whole room entirely white, white can be used beautifully with other sleep-aiding colours, like blues and greens, to create a tranquil haven. You can buy white bed sheets, duvets and accessories to create a luxurious and restful sleep sanctuary.
Earthy beige
Beige and muted earthy tones are often a good choice for the bedroom, as they can be combined beautifully with sages and crisp white bedding to give a relaxing, airy atmosphere conducive to a good night’s sleep.
Colours to avoid.
It is best to avoid bright colours such as reds, bright oranges, neon colours, and high gloss paints. They create a lot of light and are more lightly to stimulate the brain and disrupt the release of melatonin and the chance to sleep, relax and recharge.
Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for our long-term health, mood and productivity in our daily life. The colour of your bedroom may seem relatively insignificant; however, as we can see, it can affect your sleep quality and ability to sleep. By choosing restful, peaceful colours, which will help you relax, you can increase the likelihood of getting a quality night’s sleep.