The Daily Mirror once reported that over a third of the British public was suffering from sleep problems. The NHS have since provided a report that considers the methods in which this information was gathered, and how much the results should be trusted. To surmise, the final evaluation was that the report was not, and never pretended to be, a scientific study and therefore should be treated with caution.
On the other hand, it is not wrong that a worryingly large percentage of people do struggle with their sleep, and poor sleep can negatively impact an individual’s life in many areas. The Daily Mirror brought sleep back to the centre of public thought, and since then, other studies about how sleep patterns affect mental health and physical health have become more widely read.
How Can I Improve My Sleep?
There are many things that you can do to improve your sleep. You could avoid taking caffeinated products and drinks before bedtime, engage in relaxing activities before bed, and set regular times to encourage good habits, but you could also consider adding some plant life to your bedroom.
We are experts with indoor plants and indoor flowers, so let us help you to achieve a better night’s sleep with some natural interior design changes.
Lavender
The scent of lavender is well known for being relaxing. Scientifically, it has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, which is beneficial if you find yourself struggling with anxiety when you get into bed.
Many people use lavender spray on their pillows, others use pouches of dried lavender in their pyjama drawers to scent their sleep clothes, but we think that the best solution is a pot of fresh lavender by your bed. Lavender has a beautiful colour that you will appreciate every morning, whilst its scent calms your nights.
Lavender plants like warmth and sunlight, so keep one on your windowsill.
(Sansevieria) Snake Plant
Air quality is another factor that might be affecting your ability to sleep easily and through the night. We spend a lot of time breathing moisture into our bedrooms, and this can increase the humidity levels in the room, especially if you keep the door shut as this decreases air circulation around your house.
High humidity increases the likelihood of mould and dust mites, which can affect your ability to breathe and leave you with a poor night’s sleep. Snake plants are great at pumping oxygen into your bedroom to improve your air quality, and their large leaves are also good for removing plenty of harmful chemicals such as xylene, trichloroethylene, toluene, benzene, and formaldehyde.
Peace Lily
Air that is too damp can cause plenty of problems, but dry air can also be an issue for sleep. If your bedroom has an issue with dry air, you might be better using a peace lily. These lilies can increase your bedroom’s humidity by up to 5%, which is known to decrease dry skin and hair, static electricity, and increased susceptibility to colds (ApartmentTherapy).
A peace lily will not require much watering or light, so you can keep it right next to your bed without worrying that it has enough resources.
Aloe
Aloe is a popular plant in most households, famous for its ability to soothe minor cuts, burns, bites and dry skin – but have you thought about introducing one into your bedroom? Aloe vera makes oxygen at night-time, which is great for your bedroom’s environment. Aloe likes a lot of sun, so keep it in the window next to your lavender.
Areca Palm
Areca palm is known for being one of the best air purifiers. Like the snake plant, it has great ability in removing toxins from the air. The areca palm is also a natural air humidifier, ensuring that bedroom maintains great air quality while you sleep.
This plant requires a lot of bright but indirect light. If the light is too harsh, the leaves will turn yellow. Keep your areca palm healthy by keeping the soil moist during the spring and summer, allowing it to dry out between watering in autumn and winter.
English Ivy
If your bedroom struggles with damp, English ivy is another plant that can help to combat some of the issues that could be causing poor respiration in your bedroom. This sprawling, leafy plant is fantastic at collecting airborne mould – preventing you from ingesting it and developing an infection.
Are Plants in the Bedroom Harmful?
No, most plants are not harmful to keep in your bedroom. Plants produce small amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) during the day which some people worry about, but they produce far less than a human partner or pet and are therefore they are not harmful to your home. These plants’ ability to produce oxygen means that they are actually very beneficial sleeping partners.
For more information about putting plants on your premises, go to our blog.
