Why Mindful Living Starts with the Bedroom

Mindful of this, mindful of that, you might even cringe at that word because of how frequently it’s used these days. 

But have you ever thought that you should pay more attention to it? No?

When was the last time you woke up truly rested? Not groggy, not cursing the stars because it’s not the weekend yet, but fresh, ready to take on the day? Most people won’t be able to remember anything resembling that. And while there are many reasons why you wake up not as calm and clear-headed as you could be, one of them is your bedroom. 

If you’ve had a restless night, that’s how your day will be, too. If your bedroom is drowning in clutter, so is your mind. If the materials, lighting, and furniture in your bedroom don’t support rest, you can meditate all you want, and you’ll still wake up feeling wonky. Mindful living is a broad concept, and nobody is suggesting you turn your life upside down to be more mindful. 

But something that might need to be overhauled (completely!) is your bedroom. 

Good-Quality Sleep – The Foundation

If you don’t sleep enough or you have constant disruptions, the next day will feel a lot harder than it should.

The interesting thing about sleep is that it doesn’t depend only on how tired you are. 

Yes, if you’re exhausted, you’ll probably fall asleep faster, but will you sleep through the night and actually get some rest? Think about things like lighting, too much screen time (or a huge TV), before going to sleep. Is your bedroom a mess? All these things can send mixed signals to your brain and make it harder to have healthy sleep cycles. 

What you want is a clean, quiet bedroom that tells your body it’s safe to rest. As far as light goes, it needs to be soft and warm (not orange, though). 

Furniture is another important factor because you can’t be comfortable in something that’s falling apart. 

It’s always a good idea to get something that’ll last you a long time – meaning, good quality – and ideally something that you’ll love to look at and enjoy (you’ll use it and be looking at it a lot, so that only makes sense). The Amish furniture PA residents often buy is something that fits that profile, plus it seems to be a popular choice, especially for those who want to add a bit of rusticity and contrast to a modern-designed home. Sure, you can find it elsewhere, but the Amish community is very strong in Pennsylvania, so you’ll likely get the best selection there.

You can always go for concrete furniture (CA and NY are the best places to look), which is also very minimalistic; polished concrete is also very stylish. 

Japanese tansu furniture seems to be somewhat trending at the moment (again, CA, but also HI, are states where you’ll find the best selection because of the demand). 

Epoxy resin furniture is also a great choice because you can customize it a lot.

And if you’re looking for something futuristic, then smart furniture is always an option.

Design a Bedroom That Calms and Comforts You

As promised, here’s how to do it.

1. Bed & Matress

There’s no point in talking about bedroom design without mentioning the bed.

Yes, while your bedroom isn’t just a place where you sleep until morning, but the place where you do sleep is kind of the focal point of the whole room, and once you’ve sorted that out, you can build around it.

Do you want a king-size bed or a queen-size bed, or something custom-made – it doesn’t really matter. Think about a frame that’s beautiful and sturdy (you don’t want to change the bed every 5 years; you want it to last. And if you like reading in bed, or finishing up some work, then also think about adding one of those soft wall panels where you can easily rest your bed without your head/hair being in direct contact with the wall.

Regarding the mattress, this is where you want to burn most of your budget. The better the mattress, the better you’ll feel and sleep; both your body and mind will thank you for it.

Also, think about some outlets and cabinets near your bed for your phone, book, diary, etc.

2. Lighting

Your body uses cues to tell the time, and lighting is one of the strongest ones. 

If the lighting is too bright and too harsh, it will confuse your natural rhythm. Soft, warm lamps are a much better choice, and if you have bulbs that can be dimmed down, that’s even better. 

Think of how a candle glows or the warmth of the sunset. These are the types of light your brain recognizes as evening. 

Plus, they’re way more pleasant than cold, white overhead lights. 

3. Declutter

The worst thing about clutter is how it weighs on your mind, even if you’re not consciously paying attention to it. 

A messy nightstand, a pile of clothes in the corner, those are constantly reminding your brain that you have unfinished business to attend to. Think of someone constantly poking your back – that’s how your brain feels.

Conclusion

Think of a bedroom as your personal ‘reset’ button that you hit after a stressful day. It’s where you go to feel amazing, safe, where you feel most comfortable, and where you sleep like a baby. 

If any of those things aren’t there, then chances are you need to make adjustments.

Think about it – you spend approximately 33% of your life there. Doesn’t it then make sense that it’s worth investing in?

Image by Silvia from Pixabay