Step 1 in creating a bedroom that promotes sleep and healing.
Our bedrooms are the most important spaces in our homes because they are where we go to sleep, relax and rejuvenate. The bedroom is also the place where we spend most of our time. In fact, the average person spends about 26 years of their lives sleeping. Considering that we spend so much time sleeping, it is imperative that our bedrooms promote good sleep hygiene: the sets of practices, habits and environmental influences that impact healthy sleep. One way to ensure that your bedroom promotes healthy sleep hygiene is to make your bedroom is a good sleeping environment. Ann, The Wellness Decorator, can help you create a good sleeping environment with a simple three step process: declutter, colour, and decorate.
Today we are going to outline the first step of creating a good sleeping environment: decluttering. Decluttering is a process of elimination. It involves getting rid of things in our lives that are unneeded, unused, and unloved (ex. old clothes and books), while keeping the things that are needed, used and loved (ex. pillows and furniture). It’s not about keeping all of your clutter and hiding it, but rather deciding what you need to keep in your room vs. what you can let go of. Decluttering is an extremely important process because getting rid of the things we no longer need helps promote positive energy and healing.
Right now, as many of us are stuck in quarantine due to Coivd-19, we have the perfect opportunity to evaluate our bedrooms to see if they promote good sleep hygiene. Now is the time to ask yourself: is my energy level down? Am I you feeling anxious, sad, or mentally and emotionally drained? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it could be because your physical space (your bedroom) is filled with clutter and needs a makeover.
When you decide to take the first step and declutter your bedroom, you have to be mentally prepared to do so. It’s all about mindset: finding a time where you mentally and physically ready to get rid of unnecessary items. It is also important to remember that everyone is different, and it is okay if you are not ready to declutter right now. During her one-on-one appointments, Ann has noticed and appreciates that all of her clients are different; some are full speed ahead and start decluttering right after she leaves their home. On the other hand, some of her clients find decluttering to be overwhelming, and have trouble getting started. Regardless of the type of person you are, what is most important is that you find a way to take the first step and start decluttering. Ann’s advice for individuals who are overwhelmed is to declutter a little bit every day, or every other day. Whether it is for 15 minutes or an hour, just do one section of your bedroom at a time and before you know it you will be finished decluttering.
Trying to declutter your bedroom is no easy task, but sometimes an easy place to start is with your closet. How many items do you have at the back at your closet that you no longer use or wear? You’d probably be surprised to find a lot. Another helpful tip while decluttering is to ask yourself for each item if you want to keep, dump and donate it. Avoid creating a ‘maybe’ pile of items because it is problematic: all of the maybes will end up in a box in your storage room or somewhere else where you forget about them, which just creates more clutter. Overall, when you are decluttering and creating your ideal bedroom, Ann’s biggest tip is to remember that ‘less is more’.
Once you have decided to transform your bedroom, and have completed the first step of decluttering, you are now ready for Step 2: colour. Stay tuned to for our next blog where we will discuss how choosing a colour that resonates with you can completely transform your space.
If you are interested in decluttering your life you can contact Ann through her website www.www.annpowell.ca, via email ann@www.annpowell.ca or by phone 905-441-9472.