6 Ways to Upgrade Your Dorm for a Better Nights’ Sleep
Dorm rooms usually provide a lot of the essentials you need, but there’s still plenty of room for you to customize the space to make it your own! These bedroom updates from PBteen help you transform your standard dorm room into a comfortable place to get some much-needed sleep. By combining decor strategies from PBteen with a practical approach to sleep, you’ll give yourself your best chance for sleeping through the night and feeling refreshed and ready for class in the morning.
Get Some Privacy
Privacy is important in your sleeping, whether it’s a nook, a bunk bed or a twin XL bed on one side of the room. You don’t have to put up a wall, but hanging something around your bed or even your half of the room can work wonders for creating your own separate space. You can use curtains, but if you want to decorate your bedroom and get some privacy at the same time, consider using tapestries instead. You can use these printed fabric pieces to create “walls” and even a little ceiling above your bed to lower the light levels and create a private space all your own.
Perfect Your Bedding
Your bed is your personal oasis for comfort and relaxation in your dorm, so it helps to ensure every element of your bedding is just how you like it. Bedding is one of the easiest bedroom upgrades you can make in a dorm because you can choose exactly what strikes your fancy, no matter the color, material or even the print! Add a plush mattress topper to your dorm mattress, and be sure to pick out as many cushy pillows as you need to prop yourself up in bed. You can choose soft sheets and a variety of different blankets and comforters so you have enough layers to stay warm or cool with the changing seasons.
Siesta Hygiene Routines
Sleep is such an important (and kind of complex!) part of human life that there are actually entire branches of science devoted to it. There might even be a sleep science lab in the bio or medical department of your college or university. Most sleep scientists agree that a good night’s sleep starts with something called “sleep hygiene,” which is essentially your own specific routine before heading to bed. The ideas below will help you understand how to upgrade your dorm with sleep hygiene in mind.
Chairs Make the Room
Creating a space (other than your bed) to relax and read can actually help you fall asleep much more quickly and might even help you sleep more soundly throughout the night. According to the theory behind sleep hygiene, your bed should be reserved for sleeping and sleeping only. In fact, it’s discouraged to watch TV, study or play around on your phone once you’re tucked into bed. Some people even find that reading in bed can make falling asleep significantly more difficult. If you have the space, consider getting a small lounge chair to put next to your bed so you can have a separate place for your favorite evening rituals.
Dim the Lights
If you can’t fit another form of seating into your dorm, that’s okay! You can still make your bedroom well-suited to a good night’s sleep. Bright lights can sometimes disrupt your internal “body clock,” especially bright, cool-toned lights. If you normally use your room’s overhead fluorescent light, try a table lamp with a warm-toned bulb and use it at least an hour or so before heading to bed. You can also use apps on your phone, tablet and computer to shift your screen – and yourself – into a sleep-friendly setting that won’t stimulate you into staying awake.
Blocking Noises
Even if you stay on a regular schedule, dorms are usually pretty busy—even at night. Noise is inevitable, but you can easily tune it out. If you can, wear earplugs to sleep or put on some headphones as you’re drifting off. You can also get a white noise machine to create a steady sound that covers up outside noises. White noise is essentially just a constant, steady or repeating tone that helps focus your brain to tune out other noise. Even the hum from a mini fridge can make it easier to drift off to sleep.