Cant Sleep Toss the Sleep Aids and Organize Your Bedroom for the Best Sleep of Your Life

Find new homes for them. Taking telephone out of our bedroom made a big difference for me. If you need to have one in your bedroom, at least turn the ringer off. Sleep is too important to let wrong numbers or telemarketers wake you up!

Without a clutter-free foundation, the tips below won't be as effective. So start with the floor and the surfaces in your room. Later, go deeper into closets and drawers.

Clear out the things you no longer use and donate them to someone who can use them. Put things in their proper home. If they don't have a home, make one for them. Throw out or repair anything that is broken. Finish things that are undone or get rid of them. Put your laundry in the hamper.

Better yet, take the laundry out of the room and clean it! Clutter is stagnant energy. Clearing clutter is the foundation to releasing stuck energy and getting a good night's sleep.

This can be hooks placed on a door or inside your closet; a special drawer; a wardrobe shelf; a coat rack, or even a chair -- just keep them neat and don't use the floor or your bed! To maintain a clutter-free room, things need a home where it will be easy for you to find them again, AND where it will be easy to put them away. If you have drawers, but never put things in them, get rid of them. Use shelves or a wardrobe instead. If you don't have one, get a table or nightstand with a drawer or a private decorative box to keep near your bedside. Keep all your incidentals contained -- like earplugs, lotions, tissues, lint brushes, scissors, etc.

so they don't contribute to clutter. If you have a lot of junk on your dresser, sort like with like, and put it away in one of the drawers. Use drawer dividers to give each thing a home. Designate a drawer or shelf for purses. Be creative. You don't have to do the things the way everyone else does.

The only rule is that things need a home so they don't become clutter.

Keep dusting wipes in a utility room near your bedroom so that you can easily dust frequently. Especially if you have pets. Remember, don't only do the surfaces! Many people let dust collect under beds, furniture, on curtains, etc. for months and sometimes even years. Do in-depth dusting 2-4 times a year and you will sleep much better.

You should be able to see the door from your bed, but not have your bed directly in front of the door. A power position in the room allows you to feel more secure and sleep better overall.

Sheets in soft, restful colors like white, soft green and blue are the most relaxing.

Refresh the energy in your room daily. Open your blinds and let the natural light in. If you can, air the room for at least 15 minutes as well. Fresh air is a great way to help you sleep better.

Don't you always find you sleep great after a day outdoors?

Then relax. Create your own list of relaxing bedtime activities such as take a leisurely walk, stretch, do yoga, do easy light household chores like picking up, read easy-on-the-mind books and magazines, watch light TV, listen to relaxing music or whatever relaxes you. Then when you feel sleepy, roll into bed! If you try to sleep before you feel a little sleepy, you'll just toss & turn.

Are you snacking on chocolate, soda, or other foods that may have hidden caffeine in them after dinner? Are you eating sugary foods or foods with lots of chemicals in them before bed? What you eat, and when you eat it can seriously affect your sleep. If you snack before bed, choose whole, unprocessed foods as much possible! Nuts, fruit, raw veggies, and homemade low salt popcorn are far better choices than candy, chocolate, ice cream or other dessert foods. Plan ahead to avoid snacking on junk foods before bed.

It takes a little getting used to, but the rewards are well worth it. I can even sleep in hotels now! I recommend the soft foam type of earplugs. If they are too big, you can trim them to size.