While indulging in a spa or getting away from the city are perfect for those suffering from workday burnout, you may find that there is no need to splurge and spend on an expensive vacation.
A bedroom that’s decked for de-stressing is enough to bring you the rest and respite you need.
1. Change your sheets.
Whether you’ve got a spacious king size bed or still use the twin mattress you’ve had since your teens, covering your bed in fresh, crisp linens can instantly lift one’s spirits.
If a high thread count is way beyond budget, invest in an alternative like cotton jersey, which offers a lived-in softness that can make falling to sleep an even more pleasant experience.
Visually, a bed fitted with pillows and sheets in a cool, calming palette of light grays, all whites, or soft blues can also help calm your senses and quiet your mind.
3. Switch off daylight bulbs.
Draw your curtains, keep your blinds shut and switch off the fluorescent or daylight bulbs to set a more restful mood.
Keep in mind that artificial lighting, especially sources that simulate daylight, can easily wake up your senses, keeping your body alert and wound up.
Consider moody, spot lighting instead—a small table lamp with a warm glow or a large, multi-wick candle can provide just enough brightness to help you unwind.
Take care to blow off any candles you’ve lit when you’re ready to hit the sack.
3. Imagine a dream vacation.
Find inspiration in that getaway you’ve been planning for ages.
Looking to escape in a springtime English garden? Spray some lavender mist on your sheets and fill your room with a subtle, floral scent.
If you’ve been dreaming of a peaceful, Zen environment, you may find that hanging Japanese wind chimes over your doorway can help lull you to sleep easily.
Yoginis can clear out some floor area to set their mats down for a gentle practice before going to bed.
4. Clear the clutter.
The state of your physical environment can have a lot of bearing on your state of mind. An untidy space can make it difficult for you to settle down and release the day’s anxieties.
Do a quick pick-me-up in your bedroom every day—keep scrap paper in a recycle magazine rack, stack magazines in a neat pile, pick up any dirty clothes lying around and throw them into a laundry hamper and write your next day To Do’s on a handy post-it you can stick to your vanity mirror or desk.
The simple act of cleaning things up is enough to settle your mind and allow it to rest and relax.
Have more home and organizing questions for the author? Email her at chinggaylabrador@yahoo.com
Chinggay Labrador is a freelance writer and stylist, contributing articles on beauty, lifestyle and design to local magazines. Her background in architecture has her profiling trends and homes throughout the region. A travel junkie who likes to frequent Japan and Korea, Chinggay is the former editor-in-chief of Sparkling, a quarterly K-Pop publication and is also the author of “Popped and Popped, Too,” books based on the fun, frivolity and friendship centered on Korean Pop music.
