Your Bedroom: how to create the ultimate sleep environment

You’re on a mission to get lean. You’re eating a Paleo diet, getting stronger every day, and still you have some fat to shed. You can do it by getting more sleep.

Here are 10 ways to turn your bedroom into the ultimate sleep environment:

Think of your bedroom as a sanctuary

Your bedroom is your personal space away from the world. Free from all the stress and distractions you normally face, your bedroom should be the one place where you can truly be yourself, clear your mind and revitalize your body. Starting today, think of your bedroom as the most important room in your house, even if it currently needs a little TLC (or a complete overhaul).

Remove all clutter from your bedroom

This is very important. Your bedroom is not a storage unit. Remember, now your bedroom is your sanctuary. Piles of clothes, exercise equipment and tons of junk do not belong in your sanctuary. Your bed is the main event; keep other furniture and décor to a minimum.

Decorate bedroom walls simply, if at all

Wall art should be simple and minimal. The goal is to create a Zen-like environment, free of distraction and stimulation.

Keep only photos of you and your partner in your bedroom

This is something I learned from Feng Shui, the Chinese system of placement and aesthetics, which can improve the energy in your home. You want your bedroom to have a good vibe, right? Family photos do not belong in your bedroom if you share it with a partner or if you want to share your bedroom with a partner. Think about it for a moment, your bedroom is a place to sleep, make love and rejuvenate. The energy attached to photos of family and friends is not conducive to those things. Instead, display a favorite picture of you and your partner.

Invest in a great mattress

We spend about one-third of our lives sleeping. The quality of your mattress affects your health, and the health of anyone who happens to share the bed with you. Think of the money you spend on a mattress as an investment in good health. Try out several mattresses before you take the plunge and don’t assume the most expensive mattress is the best for you personally. Higher-priced mattresses usually have unique qualities and advanced technology, but neither of those guarantees you’ll sleep better. Try several mattresses on for size and buy the best “fit.”

Create a cozy bed

This is the fun part. Your goal is to create a bed you can’t wait to climb into. I once slept in a bed in Miami that was so comfortable I didn’t want to get out of it. It was a soft, fluffy, feather nest and I fell in love with it. I went home and did my best to replicate it. I used a feather mattress cover, organic cotton sheets, two very comfortable pillows, a down comforter and a duvet cover.

The biggest change was the pillows. Pillows can make or break your cozy bed, so get comfortable pillows and replace them regularly. Like choosing a mattress, don’t assume the most expensive pillows are the best. Choose what feels best to you.

Decorate with relaxing colors

Pale colors tend to be more relaxing. Blue, green, grey, and earth tones are a good choice. I like white and black too, depending on the time of year. The good thing about duvet covers it that you can completely change the look of your bedroom in a matter of minutes. Use brighter colors like red, purple and gold as accent colors. Throw pillows are my favorite way to add a little more color to the room.

Put up window coverings that completely block out light

The darker the room, the better the sleep.

Keep books to a minimum

My bedroom used to look like a library. I had books on shelves and stacks on my bedside table. Not anymore. Books can be very distracting. If you enjoy reading in bed, keep a couple books nearby, but don’t have them all over the place. Your bedroom (now known as your sanctuary), should be free of distractions so that you can get some much-needed sleep (or spend some quality time with your significant other).

Remove the TV

I saved this one for last because this is a tough one for a lot of people. No TV in the bedroom? How will we watch TV in bed? Exactly. Your bedroom is for sleeping, making love and rejuvenating. I like Jimmy Kimmel too, but he doesn’t belong in my bedroom.