Don’t put your headboard against a shared wall if it’s noisy on the other side—it will keep you from getting rest.
Make these seven easy tweaks to turn your bedroom into a peaceful haven. It will help you handle the stress from school (and life) much better!
- tranquil colors
Aim for a room with one pale tone—or a few muted (and similar) shades—rather than a lot of bright hues. Soft colors let your mind relax while intense, vivid ones stimulate your brain. PILLOWS, $25–$30, Sears
TIP: Try a gray/blue, gray/green, gray/pink, lilac, or off-white motif.
- natural light
Hang long, sheer curtains over your windows. They’ll filter bright sunlight to create a peaceful glow in your room, and give you privacy and a rest from the outside world at the same time. CURTAINS, $18, Target stores
TIP: Wash your windows once a month to maximize sunlight.
- soothing scents
Use lilac or pine candles, incense, or lavender pillows to add earthy scents to your room. These aromas will automatically remind you of nature and help you unwind after a hectic day. CANDLES, $9–$14, Yankee Candle stores
TIP: Nature CDs of birdsongs can add to this one-with-nature aura.
- quiet space
Create a corner in your room that is purely for relaxing— like for journaling or doing yoga. If you have a place to unwind before going to bed, you’ll sleep better and wake up more refreshed. PILLOWS, $20–$40, Sears
TIP: Keep it simple—a few floor pillows or a beanbag chair will do.
3 FREEWAYS TO GET CALM
open a window
It will give you a burst of light and oxygen—two of the best mood lifters.
cut some flowers
They add even more earthy aromas, evoking the peacefulness of nature.
clear off a wall
Keep the wall across from your bed bare. Blank spaces help unclutter your mind.
