Put clothes from the floor in the closets, drawers, or hamper. Give the floor a little sweep every week as well for that extra clean feeling under your feet. Arrange and file papers on your desk. [3] X Expert Source Julie NaylonProfessional Organizer Expert Interview. 18 December 2019. Loose pens, messy makeup, or other types of clutter need to be put up or away. Get a “change bowl” for you to put your keys, headphones, or loose articles without a place so that they still feel organized, too. Only keep what you need to get through the night on your bedside table. [4] X Expert Source Julie NaylonProfessional Organizer Expert Interview. 18 December 2019. That means a glass of water and maybe a tissue. Swap out your phone’s alarm for a conventional alarm clock. This will reduce the urge to use your phone before bed or during the night. Move your phone charger across the room or into the bathroom, for example.
Don’t forget you can position your bed in a corner if you have space. This supposedly offers better chi by not aligning the bed with the entrance to the room. If you have a window, position the bed to where you can see both the door and the window—unless you aren’t on the ground floor. Then it is still a safe feeling to put the headboard at the window. Don’t totally block your natural daylight, though!
To save work, practice by drawing different arrangements before starting to move the furniture. Do not block out windows or doors in order to make distance with furniture. Instead, consider removing a piece of furniture to another room if it is too crowded. Less is more! Try to center pieces of furniture on their respective walls. This helps to keep corners and walkways from getting too cramped. Moving furniture around from time to time is always a great idea to renovate the space and give it a fresh take. [7] X Expert Source Julie NaylonProfessional Organizer Expert Interview. 18 December 2019.
Closing the door when you go to bed will also make sure that anyone else in the hall or room next to you doesn’t unintentionally wake you up. If you live in a noisy part of town or near an active roadway, try a white noise machine or swiveling fan to counteract some of the noise. If you like to wind down at the end of the day to TV, do so in another room. You don’t want to leave the TV on overnight or associate your room with being awake. During the day, open the blinds. Let in natural daylight, if you can, over artificial lighting. [9] X Research source
Shades of blue are considered the most psychologically calming color to humans. Reds and pinks can promote romance, but they also have a restless feeling to them. Only use these colors for accents or small pieces that can be put away.
Choose linen or wool curtains to help with light, noise, and breezes. Make sure they match the color of the room, though. Pay attention to the curtain’s hanging hardware as well. The details and accents should blend cleanly into the environment so as not to draw notice. For example, use silver accents on a lighter colored wall, or if you have dark curtains, you might opt for black or bronze hardware.
Popular zen plants include Bonsai trees, philodendron, Sansevieria, and succulents. [13] X Research source Do not forget to water and provide light per your plant’s instructions. The act of taking care of the plant itself can be a form of meditation. Opt for a plant that does not have a strong odor to it, as well. The extra scent may become distracting when you try to fall asleep.
Shelves to hold your plants or a simple tapestry can be appropriate additions that don’t draw too much attention or unnecessary energy. Do not hang mirrors in the room either. They create active energy that opposes the peaceful feeling of sleep. Hide them in a closet or leave them in the bathroom. Don’t have anything hanging above your bed either. You may believe that the shelf is firmly in place, but it still creates an uneasy feeling subconsciously every time you lay down beneath it.
Unless your phone is also your alarm clock (which you can change), try leaving it charging overnight in the bathroom or kitchen. This helps remove the temptation of doing some bedtime surfing. Having screens in the bedroom associate the space with being awake and active. When you remove them, your brain will associate your bedroom only as a place to rest.
Sit up in bed or in an armchair in your bedroom, close your eyes, and just listen to the silence around you. Feel the stresses or anxieties of your day leave your body before you lie down to rest. Avoid pairing meditation with yoga just before bed. The added physical movement wakens your body more than rests it. Try yoga and meditation first thing in the morning! When meditating, try not to plan tomorrow or rehash the day you’ve just had. Let your mind go, and let your stress go.
If a thermostat is not available to adjust, try using a fan. The additional white noise will help you to fall asleep easier, too. If you live in a quiet enough area, cracking the door and window can help draw a breeze through your room to cool it down.
If you’re typically a back or stomach sleeper, try placing a pillow behind your back (or in front of you if you tend to roll to your stomach) when you get on your side. This will help keep you propped sideways throughout the night. Bend one of your knees up slightly when you are on your side to provide additional support so that you don’t roll one way or the other in the night.
