Sleep Quality and Window Treatments: Which Products to Choose for Better Sleep
We have all, at one time or another, known the joy of a deep and rejuvenating sleep. That night, the ideal conditions were undoubtedly met. But how can you get restful sleep, night after night? Blinds on Sale Express has attempted to answer this question.
Restful Sleep is Essential for Maintaining Good Health
Dark circles under your eyes, uneven mood, weight gain, loss of reflexes, impulsivity, decreased concentration and performance: if you have noticed the appearance of some of these symptoms in your daily life, it is possible that you are in not getting enough sleep. In the long term, poor sleep can lead to serious health consequences, such as cardiovascular disease, weakened immune functions, high blood pressure, depression and even the onset of certain degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Contrary to what one might think, sleeping all night doesn't necessarily mean you slept well enough to recover! In fact, sleep is made up of several cycles and several stages, including deep or slow-wave sleep, the most restorative of all the stages.
Several external and physiological factors can influence the depth of sleep. Lack of exercise and high levels of daily stress, for example, can prevent us from reaching restful stages of sleep. It is therefore important to develop an overall plan to improve sleep, but in the meantime, it can't hurt to adequately arrange the space where we sleep to put the odds on our side.
Sleep Like in a Hotel: The Importance of Light on Quality of Sleep
Why do people sleep so well in a hotel room? In addition to the fact that one may be on vacation and have lower stress levels, a hotel room is specially designed to provide restful sleep. Calming colors and good ventilation are specific characteristics of a hotel room and are also determining factors when it comes to getting a good night's sleep.
But what about brightness? You have surely noticed that the curtains in a hotel room are often very thick, blackout curtains that reach much higher and wider than the window they cover. This choice of window dressing is by design.
The Impact of Light on Your Biology
Did you know that light has a major impact on the circadian rhythm (a sort of biological clock taking the form of a cycle of about 24 hours and governing certain physiological processes, such as sleep and food), on the production of melatonin (the sleep hormone) and on sleep cycles? All it takes is a faint glow to interfere with sleep. It is for this reason that many specialists recommend sleeping in complete darkness.
Don't hesitate to install blackout shades and curtains in your bedroom that completely block out the light. This way, even the smallest crescent moon can't disturb your nocturnal recovery. It will feel like a hotel in the comfort of your own home!
Shades or Blackout Curtains… Or Both!
At Stores Rabais, we offer made-to-measure curtains and blackout shades that will allow you to transform your bedroom into a temple of sleep. Our online store offers a selection of blackout curtains, blackout fabrics and Premium blackout fabrics. Need advice for choosing the right shade? Avoid colors that are too bright because they will excite your brain before bedtime.
Possible Combinations of Window Treatments Conducive to Sleep
You have several options, one and two-ply, when choosing the optimal window treatment for your bedroom:
- Blackout shade alone (risk of light coming through on the sides)
- Solar or layered shade with blackout curtain
- Blackout shade and light sheer
- Blackout shade and blackout curtain (best option for complete darkness)
Sizing and How to Measure your Windows
When the time comes to choose the right dimensions for blinds (shades) or curtains to block as much light as possible in a room, the important thing is to make sure that there is no daylight on either side.
The advantage with Blinds for Sale Express is that all our products are made-to-measure. You can decide to install your shades inside or outside your window frames. You will find the steps to follow in order to properly measure your space and choose a shade with the right dimensions.
Curtains can be installed on the wall or ceiling. We advise you to choose dimensions larger than the surface of the window to be covered. For a very chic look, opt for a full-height, full-width curtain (which covers the entire surface of the wall on which the windows are located). See here how to choose the dimensions of your curtains and sheers.
Reading, Aromatherapy and Meditation: Some Additional Tips for Better Sleep
Now that your shades and blackout curtains are installed, here are some additional tips to help you sleep better:
- Avoid the presence of electronic and luminous devices in your bedroom.
- Lower the room temperature with an air conditioner or fan.
- Opt for a pre-sleep ritual: soft music, reading or meditation.
- Establish a routine and go to bed at the same time every night.
- Install an essential oil diffuser and choose calming scent, such as lavender or eucalyptus.
- Make your bedroom a place for sleeping only (avoid tvs or computers, for example).
- Hydrate! It is important to always have a glass of water handy.
Blinds on Sale Express, Always at Your Service
If you need help choosing the best product or the best combination of products, or to determine the ideal dimensions of the shades or curtains that will transform your bedroom into an exceptional resting place, do not hesitate to contact us by phone, email or chat. Our customer service agents will be happy to guide you!