Express Makeover: Bedroom Edition
May 25, 2015
** Sponsored by Super Amart **
Following on from last week's Lounge Room Edition, this week we are focusing on the bedroom.
Following on from last week's Lounge Room Edition, this week we are focusing on the bedroom.
Calm down.
No, seriously, calm down. Is the stress of daily life starting to get to you? You've probably heard this a million times but turning your bedroom into a relaxing haven of chilled-outedness can help you manage the pressures of modern life.
Here are some ideas to help with creating that ideal space.
Invest in a comfortable bed
Do you constantly feel tired during the day? Yeah, me too but I have a toddler, it goes with the territory and I assume multiplies per number of offspring + pets. If your days are constantly going beyond "a bit yawny" and into "dead-on-my-feet" and if you're having trouble concentrating at work or at life in general, then sleep deprivation could be causing you unnecessary hassles. Nobody needs those.
As most of us know, sleep is awesome and, much like Haigh's salted caramel truffles, we generally want more than we get. Having a better quality of sleep, if not necessarily more hours, will totally make a difference in your life. Even if you don't get to spend as much time in there as you'd like, investing in a comfortable bed, sleeping well and thereby boosting your energy levels without smashing Red Bull by the litre will help you get the most out of your day.
Are you tossing and turning in the middle of the night and not in a good way? You might be sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t suit your particular body type or sleep style. if you're still lying on the same old box spring bag you moved out of home with 25 years ago, you might want to consider visiting a furniture store like Super Amart where a range of different beds and mattresses are available to suit a diverse range of needs with regards to comfort, support, taste and budget. And you know I am all about the budget!
Switch off from the world
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As a chronic phone browser I really need to make a concerted effort to do this myself, especially in the evenings immediately before bed, which - as a working parent - tends to be when you have the time to be able to do so. Digital communication is playing an increasingly dominant role in nearly everybody’s lives, but allowing the technology to take over can cause excessive stress - not just for you but the people expecting at least some of your attention occasionally.
If you find yourself constantly checking work emails or obsessively browsing Facebook/Instagram/Pinterest/Twitter/Bloglovin/Buzzfeed - oh what, is that just me? - especially late at night, it might be time to ban technology from your bedroom. Keeping your bedroom free from screens reinforces the concept that this space is for relaxation. If you use your phone as an alarm, turn it face down so the light of any notifications during the night doesn't tempt you into checking to see who has liked your latest status update. Oh what, is that just me?
If you still want to enjoy that pre-sleep bed-based chill time (and if you have an electric blanket then you probably do), try reading a book in hard copy to avoid backlight stimulation or maybe some sort of meditating or relaxation exercises. Or, here's a crazy thought, chat to your partner if there's one sitting/lying next to you? That might be nice, right?
Get clean
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Yeah, it sounds simple (not to mention BORING) but cleaning your room and clearing away any mess and clutter not only improves your bedroom’s visual appeal, but a neat and ordered space will also allow you to live a more organised life. Bringing in some Feng Shui principles, maybe even rearranging your furniture could result in a much more user-friendly space, enabling you to get things done. Like, you know, getting dressed for work.
Have a clear-out. Start by throwing out or giving away anything you no longer need, such as old furniture. Clean out your wardrobe and pack the discarded items off to an op shop. Get under the bed, change your linen, wipe down surfaces and throw open the windows to let in some fresh air. By using any available space for storage, you can create a more airy and open feel to your bedroom, the perfect environment in which to escape from stress and relaaaaaax.
Make scents
Make scents
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After a particularly antagonising day, coming home to a beautifully scented bedroom might be just what you need to properly unwind. It's not an exact science, but a number of different aromatherapy scents have been identified as effective for reducing stress, with lavender, chamomile and sandalwood some of the more popular options. Make sure you find one you and your partner (if applicable) both enjoy, and at a mutually agreed scent intensity (scensity?)
If burning essential oils creates an atmosphere that is a bit too velvet-incense-and-crystals-shop for you, try lighting a good quality scented candle for a more subtle effect. If you're not comfortable with an open flame in the room, use an electric burner that has an automatic self-regulating thermostat.
Enjoy your space
Enjoy your space
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Your bedroom should be a sanctuary, a place where you can escape from the world, relax and rejuvenate. It should also suit you, your tastes and your lifestyle. Slippery jacquard bedspreads and an abundance of decorative cushioning looks great on a style blog but if you're more of a flannelette snuggler then you won't be comfortable in your own room. Likewise, if there's something that annoys you every time you go into the room, it will become a focal point distracting you from the primary task of chilling out. Hated the curtains since you've moved in? Change them. Walls a gross colour? Paint them. If you're unable to undertake these major changes for whatever reason, try softening their effect by hanging a print or two that makes you happy (and lessens the square meterage of offensive wall colour), putting a rug down to negate ratty carpet or working out a solution for the curtains you can deal with. Fairy lights, maybe? Whatever makes you happy.
How do you make your room a stress-free zone?
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This post is sponsored by Super Amart. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more information.
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