5 Ways to Optimize Your Bedroom to Sleep Better

If you don't get a good night's sleep, the rest of your day is going to be pretty terrible. When both your body and mind are tired, you'll be unable to perform at your highest level, every task will take much longer than usual, and your overall mood will be pretty terrible. Sometimes, all it takes to get a better night's sleep is to make a few minor changes to your space to optimize it for sleep. The five tips below will help to make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary.

1. Paint your walls light blue. A survey from Houzz.com conducted by Travelodge found that people get the best sleep when bedroom walls are painted light blue -- an average of seven hours and 52 minutes a night, compared to a little less than six hours of sleep for those with purple bedroom walls (the least conducive to rest).

2. Use white sheets. Huffington Post did a small case study amongst staff members to find out their "favourite hotel bed experiences" and, after a bit of digging, they found the one thing all those beds had in common was white sheets. "Visually, the idea of the white bed is important," said Erin Hoover, vice president of design for Westin and Sheraton hotels. "Something about an all-white bed connotes luxury and a good night's sleep."

3. Invest in a high-quality fan. Colder room temperatures make for a better night's sleep. According to the Center for Chronobiology in Switzerland, a drop in your core temperature tells your body that it's time for bed. Get a fan that will keep you cool throughout the night, but remains quiet so as not to interrupt your sleep.

4. Decorate with lavender candles. The calming effects of lavender can help you wind down after a long day, while helping you ease any stress and anxiety you might feel. Keep a lavender candle on your nightside table or hide pouches of dried lavender under your sheets or in your pillowcase.

5. Use blackout curtains. If you are sensitive to light or a light sleeper in general, early morning sunlight may be seeping in through your windows and disrupting your sleep. To keep the room dark and cool through those early morning hours, use blackout curtains to ensure your deep sleep is uninterrupted.