Are blackout curtains the key to a good night’s sleep?

Could something as simple as your curtains really be stopping you from getting a good night’s sleep? In short, the answer to this question is yes.

Although many people don’t realise it, these home design accessories can play a big role in helping us get enough rest. So, if you’re struggling to catch up on shuteye, it may be time to ditch your current window dressings and invest in different designs.

Especially at this time of year, when the sun sets late in the evening and rises long before most of our alarm clocks call us into action, blackout curtains can make a welcome addition to bedrooms.

You can choose from a range of different designs on websites such as https://www.juliancharles.co.uk, but one thing that all of these curtains have in common is the fact that they are effective at preventing sunlight and artificial street light from streaming into rooms.

Tune into your natural rhythms

Trying to sleep in a bedroom that’s too bright is working against your body’s natural rhythms. Our circadian biological clocks respond to levels of light and dark.

When it’s bright, our brains send signals to raise our body temperatures and produce hormones like cortisol, which make us feel more alert. At the same time, our levels of the hormone melatonin, which is associated with feeling drowsy, fall.

So, attempting to catch up on shuteye when your boudoir is bathed in too much light can prove difficult, especially if you’re a light sleeper.

By using blackout curtains or blinds, you can take control over the level of light in your room, making it easier to sleep when it’s bright outside.

Not the full story

Of course, simply buying a new pair of curtains isn’t a panacea for all sleep problems. There are lots of reasons why people can struggle to get enough rest.

For example, your diet, routine and lifestyle can all affect how easy you find it to drift off at the end of each day. Ideally, you should steer clear of consuming too much caffeine and avoid big meals late at night. It also helps to stick to a stable sleeping pattern, going to bed and getting up at the same time each day.

Another way to enhance your sleep is to take some time to relax before you climb between the sheets. Enjoying  a soak in the bath, doing some gentle yoga or reading a book could get you into the right frame of mind to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, a comfy bed is a must and if your home can be a little noisy at night, it’s worthwhile investing in some ear plugs too.

By making sure your bedroom’s up-to-scratch and by sticking to a healthy routine, you stand a better chance of getting a good night’s sleep.

By Rachel Newcombe.