Day 17: Creating a Restful Bedroom Retreat

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, a retreat from the world where you can relax and rejuvenate. Studies show that what you're thinking when you go to sleep affect how restful your sleep is as well as your mood when you wake up. A peaceful bedroom free of clutter and chaos can greatly affect your outlook - it should be a welcoming retreat, not a source of stress.

"A bedroom requires a bed. Everything else was extravagance." ~Audrey Meadows

• If it's not restful or sensual, it doesn't belong in the bedroom. 
• Less is more in the bedroom. Remove unneeded furniture, and get rid of the "stuff." Keep horizontal surfaces as clear as possible. To avoid clutter on your bedside table, put away everything except maybe the book you’re currently reading, your alarm clock and your reading lamp. Some lovely flowers, or a candle, or a favorite photo of you and your sweetie are a nice touch, but don't go overboard trying to "decorate." The bedroom is a place where minimalism truly is important and will contribute to your happiness immediately.
• Choose low-impact, high-quality bed linens. Cotton grown in the U.S. uses 25 percent of the insecticides in the world, so going organic can make a difference. You spend a third of your life in bed, and skin is our largest organ, so it makes sense to be careful what it comes into contact with eight hours a night. Launder linens in nontoxic laundry products for a restful night's sleep.
• Make your bed every day, preferably as soon as you get up in the morning. This simple habit not only keeps your room looking tidy, it's a cue that tells your body and your brain that rest time is over and it's time to get a move on. It's also a welcoming sight when it's time to turn in for the day.
• At the end of the day, hang your clothes neatly back in the closet or place them in the laundry basket. Don't toss them on the floor or on a piece of furniture. It's far easier to keep on top of laundry and maintain your wardrobe if you take the extra seconds now to put clothing away properly. The same goes for shoes and accessories.
• Keep the bedroom sacred. Try to keep activities such as web surfing, bill paying, studying and working out of the bedroom, and do them somewhere else, such as a home office, living room or even dining room. The bedroom will be far more restful if you don't associate it with "work."
• Keep it clean. By spending a few minutes daily putting away clothes, making your bed and keeping the bedroom free of clutter, you can easily keep the bedroom tidy. Make sure to dust and vacuum often to keep the room free of allergens, and wash bed linens regularly. 

This post is part of the Fresh Start Series, 31 days of tips and tricks to simplify in the new year.