With the challenging economic conditions, the millennial generation is now faced with overwhelming pressure both online and offline. As a millennial, you are met with social competitions and comparisons at your workplace, among friends, and family. It doesn’t stop there, because social media is also out there to pressure you to continue re-inventing yourself.
Because of the pressure, burnout is easily one of the main millennial problems. Millennial burnout, however, is much worse than regular burnout. The former type of burnout makes you experience errand paralysis, wherein doing simple tasks, like accepting an online order, can be impossible to accomplish.
With millennial burnout, young professionals are more prone to experience sleep deprivation which can lead to health damage. This is why it is absolutely necessary to turn your condo into a sanctuary for a good night’s rest. After all, the National Sleep Foundation declared that the things you see, hear, or smell in your bedroom environment affects your sleep cycle. Here are the interior design essentials that you need to consider for a guaranteed sleep-inducing condo.
1. Manage your bedroom clutter.
First things first: Is everything in your room in order? Some people may not notice it, but a messy home can mess up your sleep cycle. You definitely can’t comfortably relax on a pile of dirty clothes on your bed. After all, physical mess tends to translate into a mental mess which eventually leads to stress.
No matter how busy you are, keep your condo clean and organized. While you’re at it, you should also organize healthy activities in your busy schedule, to help you avoid sleep deprivation.
2. Pick relaxing wall colors.
If the color of your bedroom is a bright shade of red, you might consider changing it to rest better. Bright colors keep you awake because they raise your heart rate and make you feel alert. Busy patterns are also a huge no-no because they tend to keep your mind busy and alert. The bedroom paint colors that you should use are relaxing shades such as blue, gray, and silver. These colors are good for sleep meditation because they help lower blood pressure and heart rate.
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3. Opt for better lighting in your room.
Just as the sun signals that it’s time for you to be awake, so does the light in your condo. If you have bright lights in your room, these lights can be the culprit for ruining your sleep cycle. Bright lights in your bedroom prevent your body from producing melatonin, the hormone responsible for helping you sleep. Most doctors would suggest sleeping in total darkness to ease this problem. If you can’t take a nap without any lights on, interior design experts suggest using bedroom lamps that are upward-facing and also dim lights, like soft lamps.
4. Make your bedroom electronics-free.
You already know that bright lights affect your sleep cycle, and bright lights (unfortunately) include your gadgets. Keeping away from your gadgets can be hard because this is actually one of the common millennial problems. But many research studies show that too much screen time results in sleep deprivation. Aside from the blue light that suppresses the production of melatonin, your phone also has games or videos that can also cause your mind to be alert. As much as possible, try your best to store your gadgets away before bedtime.
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5. Switch to comfortable bed covers.
Your bed should be a comfortable haven for a shut-eye. It should not make you toss and turn every night because of how uncomfortable it is. To prevent this scenario, consider picking bed covers that are safe and appropriate for your sleeping needs. For example, don’t use wool blankets if you are allergic to them. You should also choose thinner blankets for the hot weather, or thicker sheets for the cold weather. Also, pick designs that you actually like, so that the sight of your bed covers will put you in a good mood to snooze.
6. Look for a good mattress.
A poor-quality mattress is equal to poor-quality sleep. You don’t want a mattress that is too soft, too hard, or lumpy. Any of these can cause a great deal of discomfort, which will then cause problems in your sleep cycle. As such, it is essential for young professionals, like you, to invest in a good-quality mattress.
Make sure to research intensively before making a purchase. There are different types of mattresses out there, like foam beds, waterbeds, and airbeds. Pick the one that you will be most comfortable with.
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7. Add plants in your bedroom.
Most condo design ideas include indoor gardens or potted plants. These plants not only make your condo look beautiful and cozy but also purify the air in your bedroom and make you breathe easier.
There are many beautiful indoor plants that can ensure a good night’s sleep, like aloe vera, the bamboo plant, and the spider plant. Don’t forget to check out how you can properly care for these plants, too.
8. Buy better curtains.
Your curtains should block any light coming from street lights or the sun because those lights can also prevent you from sleeping. Use thick curtains, dark-colored curtains, or adjustable blinds to help you fall asleep. This is especially helpful for the millennial generation because some young professionals have night shifts at work. It can help you maintain a healthy sleep cycle, even with a stressful work schedule.
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9. Block noise from your surroundings.
If you are already experiencing millennial burnout, you just want to have a peaceful and quiet night in your home. You can’t do this if your condo’s surroundings are noisy. To have a smooth cycle, try interior design ideas such as adding thick carpets to your walls, small fountain in your condo, or wind chimes on your balcony.
The carpets can block noise, while the fountain and wind chimes create soothing sounds. Also, you may buy a white noise machine or download white noise apps for soothing sounds.
10. Adjust the air conditioner or fan.
Sleeping during hot summer nights in the country can be difficult. The hot weather can cause great discomfort which can prevent you from having a good night's sleep. At times like these, you have to adjust your bedroom settings such as your condo’s air conditioner or ceiling fan. You can try other ways to cool down your condo’s temperature, too. Remember to set a timer for your air conditioner, though, because too much cold can also cause discomfort and interrupt your slumber.
While changing your surroundings can help avoid sleep deprivation, it is important for you to make changes to your lifestyle such as maintaining a healthy diet and adjusting your sleep cycle. Doing so will definitely maximize the benefits of your sleep-inducing condo design.