For some of us, falling asleep at night is a daily challenge.
And when we’re up in the middle of the night, tossing and turning, it’s easy to think that something might be wrong with us that we can’t fall asleep.
But sometimes, it’s not actually our own body that is preventing us from falling asleep – it’s our environment.
Our environment can affect our sleep quality in unprecedented ways. It can either keep us awake all night or lull us to sleep within minutes.
Here are some of the environmental conditions that can affect your sleep:
Lighting
The lighting in your bedroom can make a big difference in your sleep quality.
And this is why most people sleep with the lights off.
Darkness is generally associated with nighttime. And nighttime is generally associated with sleep. Our body recognizes this association, so whenever we’re in a dimly lit space at nighttime, our brain releases hormones that make us feel tired, thus preparing us for sleep.
This all has to do with our circadian rhythm.
A type of light to watch out for in your bedroom is blue light. This light in particular is known to stimulate the brain, causing us to feel awake and alert.
Blue light can be found in televisions and other screens, like tablets and smart phones.
Sound
Have you ever tried falling asleep in a construction zone?
“Try” is the key word. Many people may try, but do not succeed.
This is not only because loud noises distract us from sleeping, but because they cause stress hormones to be released in our brains, which prevents us from feeling tired.
If you live near a highway or construction zone, try to drown out the noise as best as you can so that you can have a peaceful sleep.
But not all noises cause us to lie awake at night. Some actually help us fall asleep.
In fact, many people actually find white noise to be relaxing, helping them to fall asleep.
Just as darkness signifies bedtime to our brains, white noise can do the same. If you stick with a specific routine that includes listening to white noise when you sleep, your brain will associate that noise with bedtime, helping you fall asleep quicker.
Temperature
If your bedroom is too cold or too hot at night, you’ll probably have a hard time falling asleep.
Our bodies like to be comfortable in order to fall asleep easily and to stay asleep.
So, if you find yourself having a hard time falling asleep, try adjusting your thermostat to find the temperature that works best for you.
Distractions
Distractions in your bedroom will certainly keep you from falling asleep.
Things like electronics can distract you and change your psychological association with the bedroom. Instead of it being a place for sleep, it becomes a place where you stay up and watch TV.
If you remove electronic distractions from your space, you may find your association with your bedroom becomes one of peace and rest.
But distractions aren’t always simply electronic ones. A distraction could be anything that keeps your mind from relaxing, such as a messy space or paperwork.
Mattress
Your mattress is the most significant environmental factor that affects your sleep.
If your mattress is not suitable for your sleep style and comfort, it can affect your sleep quality and health.
This is why it’s so important to buy a good quality mattress. Contact Majestic Mattress in Kelowna, BC to learn more about finding the right bed for you. We have a large selection of mattresses you can choose from. And some for every budget!