We know that the colours around us affect our mood and balance as we wander through our day. A warm red versus a cold blue can have a pretty immediate reaction just thinking about it (especially on a cold February day!). It’s no wonder that the sight of the first daffodil fills us with hope and joy for warmer days ahead when all we've seen for months is grey. We know colours can evoke different feelings within us, but what is less understood is that the psychology of colour has a big impact on our ability to have a good night’s sleep. Let’s delve a bit deeper.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night for the average adult, yet with plenty of things to interrupt us (children, alcohol, menopause, screens, stress), the majority of respondents in a recent survey suggested they only achieved between 5 and 7 hours a night.
We also know that good sleep is linked to boosting the immune system and enhancing better mood, both of which are better for our physical and mental health, so we really should be paying attention.
So which colours will give you the best chance of a great night’s sleep and which should you avoid?
Blue is well known for its peaceful properties, and feelings of calm and has been proven to lower your blood pressure, whereas red makes your heart beat faster! Blue lighting is widely used around the world in public places to induce feelings of calm in potentially stressful spaces (train stations, airports, classrooms). So having your blood pressure naturally lowered as you get ready for bed will help you reach the land of nod more easily.
*Be mindful that blue light is very different to blue colour in your bedroom. We've all been taught to avoid screens emitting blue light for 2 hours before we hit the hay.
Green evokes feelings of balance and relaxation in us. It is also said to be the easiest colour on the eye - in terms of muscle stress - so giving your eyes a chance to slow down before you shut down is a win win.
Yellow - it’s not called mellow yellow for nothing. The sun, the first daffodil, custard! It is suggested that the brain is programmed to associate yellow with the positive effects of sunlight and stimulate the nervous system. The fact it stands out from other colours is also thought to have a mood lifting effect. This ability to create cheer and surround us in comfort, reassurance and tranquility allows us to drift off happily.
Colours to avoid when trying to improve your sleep are red and purple. A study suggested that purple promotes creativity and promotes brain stimulation, which is something you don’t want when you’re desperately trying to get to sleep. The brain associates red with danger, raises your heart beat and is emotionally intense….hardly the keys to a restful night’s sleep!
So that’s the decor. Now what about the bed sheets? We don’t just make white bed linen, despite us talking about it all the time. We use the same high quality 500 thread count sateen fabric featured in our Heritage Collection to create a warm Ivory and a cool Silver. With a choice of a simple Hemstitch design or our the use of our signature grosgrain trims, you can use any of these three neutral understated colours to weave into your chosen bedroom hues, knowing you’re creating the perfect haven for a great night’s sleep.
