For those suffering from sleep deprivation, the answer to your sleep prayers may be within the four walls of your bedroom. According to experts, bedroom colour schemes can have a huge impact on the length and quality of your sleep. Colours aren’t just a pretty face, they have a psychological impact that can significantly affect your overall mood.
Why do colours affect humans?
Colours impact us in such a way largely due to specialised receptors in the retina of your eye, known as ganglion cells. These cells send information to the area of the brain that is responsible for controlling your body’s 24-hour rhythm. In turn, this affects how we feel and perform throughout the day.
The best colours for sleep
According to a sleep study conducted by Travelodge, a blue bedroom colour scheme will give you the best night’s sleep. To analyse this, it is explained that blue is associated with calm and serene feelings, which contribute towards a reduced blood pressure and lower heart rate. Combined, these factors contribute to a good night’s sleep. The study showed that, on average, sleepers across Britain were receiving 7 hours and 52 minutes’ sleep when in a bedroom with a blue colour scheme.
Following closely behind, yellow also has a positive impact on sleep. As well as creating a cosy and warm atmosphere that is perfect for sleeping, yellow also stimulates the nervous system and thus aids relaxation.
Additionally, green has been shown to induce a good sleep. Green provides a calm and soothing sleeping environment, which is why people slept for an average of 7 hours 30 minutes when sleeping in a green bedroom.
If these colour schemes do not appeal to you, silver and orange also have a positive effect on sleep. Silver provides a glow that is said to mimic the glow of the moon, which influences your eyes to inform your body that it is night time and therefore time to sleep. It is also a luxurious colour that is both soothing and calming. Additionally, orange provides a warm and relaxing atmosphere, which is essential in creating a good quality sleep.
The worst colours for sleep
Purple is the colour to avoid. It is said to be overly mentally stimulating for a sleeping environment, making it hard for you to switch off and relax at the end of the day. Purple is also associated with stimulating creativity, meaning that purple decor can induce vivid dreams and nightmares that can affect the quality of your sleep.
Red is said to raise energy levels and increase heart rate and blood pressure. Alongside this, it is associated with feelings of hostility, danger, and rage. Subsequently, red is too stimulating for bedrooms and should be left to other rooms in the house.
As well as this, brown and grey bedroom colour schemes are also the worst colours to apply to your bedroom walls. These colours are associated with being dreary and depressing, causing people to feel emotionally isolated and uncomfortable. This can induce a restless night’s sleep, something that we all wish to avoid!
Should we all choose a blue colour scheme?
People are drawn to different colour schemes, and so the best bedroom colours for you can vary depending on this. Although blue has come out on top in studies, it probably isn’t going to have the same effect on someone that despises the colour blue. Furthermore, the difference in the length of sleep between the top runners varies by mere minutes. This means that all of the colours that have a positive effect on sleep should be considered.
Colour trends come and go, but sleep is forever. When painting your bedroom, consider the best colours for inducing sleep, rather than the colour of the moment. It is important to not over-do the chosen colour, and avoid making it too intense. Otherwise, the colour scheme can have the opposite effect that you desire. Getting a good night’s sleep is a crucial player in creating a healthy lifestyle, and so a bedroom that promotes a good sleep is very important.
Getting a Good Night's Sleep
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