Creating a comfortable sleep environment can be incalculable for adults and kids alike. The cozier the bedroom, the more likely your child is to want to spend time in it. At the end of the day, a bedroom's sole purpose is really for sleep. Here are some easy tips that you can quickly implement to achieve a more restful sleep:
1. Utilize Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains help children sleep sounder on bright nights and mornings. Whether you're trying to keep out a street light, car lights, the moon, or an early sunrise, a blackout curtain can be an invaluable item for bedtime. It can also help dampen sound.
2. Use a warm tone night light
By now most people are aware of the harmful effects that blue light can have on sleep. An easy solution to this is to avoid blue light as much as possible leading up to bedtime and throughout a bedtime routine. Finding a light with warmer tones, such as reds and oranges, can help promote sleep by preventing disruption of the body's natural circadian rhythm.
3. Block Out Noise
If you have a child that is a light sleeper a sound machine can be a wonderful asset in your sleep playbook. Sound machines help prevent waking from neighborhood noises, barking dogs, or even just those sometimes creaky doors and floorboards. If you're going to use a sound machine make sure you're safe about it. You can try placing the sound machine on the floor or at a distance, or simply make sure you're using it at a safe volume so you don't risk noise-induced hearing loss.
4. Declutter Their Space
There's something to be said about minimalist Scandanavian design and scientists agree. According to a 2015 study, those who sleep in cluttered rooms are more likely to not only have trouble falling asleep, but also experience sleep disturbances. Clutter can affect children too. For this reason, keeping a more minimalist approach to a child's bedroom can actually promote better and healthier sleep habits.
5. Turn Down the Temperature
This one isn't a one size fits all approach, as everybody is different, but studies have shown that the ideal sleep temperature is between 60-67 degrees. In fact in other countries like Sweden, babies are left in prams outside in sub-zero temps (bundled of course) for naps to promote better sleep and health. While you may not be able to get the benefits of the outdoors and fresh air, lowering the temperature slightly may help with sleep.
6. Try a Soothing Scent
Essential Oils that are safe for kids can help promote a cozier sleep environment. Lotions or a diffuser are usually the easiest methods of achieving this goal. Some favorite essential oils that have been shown to promote sleep include lavender, chamomile, bergamot, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and frankincense.
We'd love to hear from you! What do you do to help promote sleep for your child?