A good nights sleep? Do you lose the electricals?
There are so many ways to improve your health and wellbeing, but one of the most critical is often overlooked. When you enjoy a good night’s sleep, you care for yourself in a way that isn’t obtainable through all manner of modern miracle cures and inventions.
However, many people place barriers in front of enjoying a good night’s sleep on a regular basis. A growing number of studies indicate electrical devices prevent people from relaxing, and enjoying a high quality of sleep.
This blog considers the importance of a good night’s sleep, the impact of electrical devices in the bedroom, and whether you can make changes that allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
The importance of a good night’s sleep
You likely have enough anecdotal evidence of how you feel and perform after a good night’s sleep and a bad night’s sleep to know the impact sleep has on you day after day.
There is no shortage of positive outcomes associated with a good night’s sleep, including:
Your attention and concentration levels are higher
When you sleep, your brain organises your thoughts, which is important for turning short-term memories into long-term memories
Sleep deprivation can increase your appetite, and as you are awake for longer, your body requires more energy
A good night’s sleep lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, allowing your body time to rest and recover
You feel less stressed when you are fully refreshed
Your immune system is more potent when you enjoy a full sleep
Given that these are just some of the benefits associated with good sleep, you clearly need to enjoy a regular sleep pattern.
What prevents people from getting a good night’s sleep?
While there are many reasons why people struggle to enjoy a good nights’ sleep, some of the most commonly cited factors are:
Not having a cool, dark and quiet sleeping environment
Consuming too much caffeine during the day
Staring at a screen before bed time, with blue and white light blocking melatonin production, which makes it harder to fall asleep
Stress or anxiety
Feeling too full before bedtime, or requiring to use the toilet during the night
These are all reasons why people cannot enjoy as much sleep as they would like, and the use of electrical devices is one many people can control.
How bad are electrical devices in the bedroom?
There are so many cons to consider when it comes to electrical devices in the bedroom, including not feeling alert at night or in the morning, blue light affecting your eyes, missing out on sleep, and never allowing yourself to relax.
Pros of electrical devices in the bedroom
It is wrong to say there are no positive reasons to have electrical devices in the bedroom, there are, including:
You can stay in touch with people in case of emergencies
If inspiration strikes during the night, you can take notes or contact others
If you cannot sleep due to other reasons, having electrical devices can keep you entertained or occupied
Your bedroom might be the only place you have “you time”, so having devices here is helpful
Some people find soothing music, nature sounds or podcasts help them fall asleep
The positive reasons might not be as persuasive as the negative reasons cited, but there are clear pros and cons of electrical devices in the bedroom.
How to get the most of bedroom electricals?
Even with compelling reasons to not have electrical devices in the bedroom, most people will still use them.
So, it is helpful to find ways to maximise the use of these devices alongside bedroom features such as beds and furniture.
Tips on using electricals in the bedroom
The Sleep Foundation offers a range of tips for the use of electrical devices in the bedroom, including:
Limit the number of devices you have in your bedroom
Place devices in a drawer
Try to avoid using screens up to one hour before bedtime
Switch to night mode or use blue light glasses
These are good tips, and clearly the sort of beds and furniture you have in your room can improve your relationship with bedroom electricals.
If you want a place to store electrical devices when not in use, ottoman beds are a perfect solution. These beds offer plenty of storage space at the foot or side of your bed. If you use a laptop computer or tablet in the bedroom, you can safely store these items close by but out of sight when it is time for bed.
You have a range of storage beds to choose from!
Of course, ottoman beds are not the only type of storage bed. You have beds with drawers and storage space at the side. Many people find these storage beds to be of tremendous benefit, especially when placing glasses, a phone and any other item you might need at short notice during the night.
Regarding under-bed storage, divan beds are an excellent option, ideal for keeping your all-important devices nearby but away from your immediate reach.
What about a TV?
Of course, you don’t just use handheld electrical devices in the bedroom. You might have a TV, or you could have devices such as Google or Alexa, and it makes sense to place these in a stable location.
Regarding your TV, you might opt for a wall mount, a table, a sideboard or even a specialist stand. A lot will depend on your available space, but there are many dependable solutions to consider.
The new way of living
For the new wave of Google or Alexa-enabled devices, floor-standing headboards are secure and robust. Placing these items here means they are close to you, but they are also supported in a robust and reliable manner.
This gives you confidence that your items are well looked after in the bedroom. For many, the convenience of having your alarm set on one of these devices and being woken in a timely and pleasant manner is a game-changing way to start your day.
You can also send yourself off to sleep with soothing music, the sounds of nature or through listening to positive affirmations.
While it is important to realise electrical devices can hamper some people’s sleep, for others, it enhances it!
Making the most of your bedroom
There are positive reasons to limit the use of electrical devices in a bedroom, but realistically, people aren’t going to avoid using these devices in this room. Therefore, people must understand how to use them safely without impacting their sleep too much. Also, finding suitable storage solutions for these devices makes managing their use much more accessible.
If you want to see the best ways to style your bedroom while creating a better relationship with bedroom electricals, please contact us today.