After a hard day’s work, we all deserve a good night’s sleep. There are lots of factors that affect our sleeping cycle, but one simple thing is often taken for granted in this issue. Did you know that a well-assembled and well-thought out window treatment can help make or break your well-deserved rest?

Now that it is summer in the United States, where we get to enjoy longer days, a lot of Americans may find it difficult to sleep. Scientists and health workers alike are in agreement that light is the most essential factor affecting our sleep. Hence, an excellent blackout curtain, shade or shutter that can block all light from coming into your room can make a huge difference.

Lights On or Lights Off? Science Explains

Eliminating light in our rooms at bedtime is essential, because the presence of light affects the production of Melatonin. Melatonin is an important sleep-promoting hormone that tends to be produced when dark. The Pineal gland in the brain detects darkness, and as a result causes our bodies to produce Melatonin.

However, the existence of light disrupts this process and directly impacts the quality of the sleep you experience. The darker it gets, the higher the Melatonin levels get, resulting in drowsiness and prompting your body to rest.

It is therefore crucial that you invest in ways to help eliminate the amount of light in your bedroom. One simple way is to consult with industry professionals on the installation of good quality, light blocking window treatments to not only improve the aesthetics of your bedroom but also improve the quality of your sleep.

Impacts of Less Sleep on Your Health

A good window treatment, be it a blackout curtain, blind or shade can help you get enough sleep and is especially true for restless sleepers, insomniacs, night workers who sleep during the day, migraine sufferers, and young children.

If you think this is not important, think again. Did you know that there are lots of risks associated with sleep deprivation? Among these are cardiovascular problems, elevated cancer risks, worsened metabolism, eye strain, and weight gain. It’s incredible just how important sleep is to our bodies!

Great Antidote For A Good Night’s Sleep: Blackout Curtains

Adjusting your bedroom environment with perfectly-installed blackout curtains is definitely a step in the right direction, and the good news is that they are not an expensive solution.

Aside from the obvious (producing a completely dark room) blackout curtains also have some other benefits such as better insulation sound reduction, both of which can really help as you hit the sack.

Tips For Choosing The Great Blackout Curtains For Your Home

There are plenty of manufacturers in the US offering good deals on blackout curtains. From Amazon to Pottery Barn, there is a huge selection to choose from. From budget-friendly to high-end, the list seems endless.

Before you buy, check out these helpful tips for selecting the perfect blackout curtains for your home.

Test For Effective Light Blocking

If light penetrates, a blackout curtain is rendered useless. Hence, it is necessary that you do a test to check whether the curtains you buy will block the light effectively. If you are shopping online, consider looking at the reviews written by previous buyers to check its efficacy.

Opt for Heavy Fabrics

The choice of fabric can give you a good indication of the quality of the product and how well they will block light. A good blackout curtain tends to be heavy. Aside from its overall ability to block light to help you get a night of better sleep, having a blackout curtain with heavy fabric will also make your room luxurious. Be sure to scrutinize the fabric well as cheap curtains might let in too much light and not get you the pitch black room you are looking for

Select According To Your Room’s Theme

Set a balance between health and aesthetics. As such, choose colors and patterns that will match well with your bedroom. This means your blackout curtain should blend seamlessly with your walls and furniture.

Since the bedroom is your sanctuary, it might help to create a calm atmosphere. Selecting blackout curtains with cool palettes, such as blue or green, is a good idea.

It could be worth consulting with industry professionals or interior designers who specialize in color to ensure that you choose the excellent color and style.

Go For An Attractive Fabric

Don’t get us wrong: a blackout curtain, for it to be effective, does not need to be boring. While it has its own function in helping us get better sleep, don’t forget that the decor of our rooms should still ignite conversation when people enter the room. A nice pattern on the curtains fabric will help get the desired effect.

While there is a wide range of options that you can choose from, always be guided with these two words: effectiveness and style.

Final Thoughts

Carrie Snow, a well-known American stand-up comic, said it: “No day is so bad it can’t be fixed with a nap.” When it comes to your sleep, always remember how excess light is the biggest cause of low quality sleep.

Eliminate the presence of as much artificial light in your bedrooms as you can. Ideally, your bedrooms should be free from technology during your bedtime, especially the blue light that is emitted from mobile phones and TV sets.

When it comes to external natural light, a good choice of blackout curtain or shades is your great option to have a solid 8 hours of sleep, and wake up feeling fresh and rejuvenated