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3 Colors That’ll Help You Sleep Better and Why
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Most people go through periods in their life where sleep is elusive. It could be stress, a change in work schedule, or simply an upset stomach that keeps you tossing and turning through the night.
You can help yourself get the sleep you need by making your bedroom a sleep sanctuary. Some small steps to take include adding blackout curtains to block out distracting light, purchasing a bed of your preferred firmness or an adjustable firmness mattress, and incorporating relaxing colors.
When creating your escape from the outside world, you have to use color carefully because it can have a powerful impact on your ability to sleep. Your culture and experiences can influence color preferences, so be sure that whatever colors you choose speak to you.
1. Blue
Cool colors like blue are bedroom favorites. Blue is often associated with a sense of calm and peace, but it also sparks creativity and imagination. A recent survey showed that the color blue helped people get more sleep, extending their sleep time by almost 30 minutes.
It’s important to remember that not all blues are created equal. While most bedrooms are painted in pastels, some people prefer something darker. Dark colors can make a room feel cozy. A navy blue accent wall might be a good focal point that can also induce sleep.
2. Green
The color of nature, green is known to bring a sense of serenity. Depending on the shade, it evokes the relaxing feel of a walk in woods or a spring day spent at the park.Like blues, light shades of green are preferable for most people, but if you like something a little out of the ordinary, don’t be afraid of a deep forest green.
3. Neutrals
Neutrals will always be popular in the bedroom because they create a canvas on which to decorate. But, not all neutrals are created equal. Cool grays and whites offer the same sense of calm as other cool colors. Today, the palest of pastels often pass as a neutral. Purples, pinks, and yellows that are usually reserved for other rooms in the house can often work in the bedroom if the color is barely perceptible.
Watch out for warm colors!
In general, it’s best to keep warm colors like red and orange out of the bedroom. Red stimulates the mind and body, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, but it’s more than that. Red is often associated with alarms, emergencies, and warnings. Whether or not you know it, your experience with the color red will influence how it makes you feel in a room.
Similar warm colors like orange and bright yellows often have a similar enlivening effect, which isn’t what you want in the bedroom. If you absolutely have to have warm colors, use them in small doses. An accent wall, curtains, or other accessories can often be the place for a pop of warm color.
When to ignore the rules…
The purpose of your bedroom is to get better sleep. You know yourself best. If a deep shade of purple makes you feel happy, calm, and serene, go for it. You might want to paint an accent wall first to make sure the color works for you, but feel free to use color “rules” as a place to start. Then, adjust them to fit your personal preferences and style.
Keep in mind that paint color is one of the easiest ways to change the feel of a room. If after painting the bedroom in your favorite shade of candy apple red you find your mind buzzing night after night, it can be changed and repainted within 48 hours.