With the cold nights drawing in, the sleep experts at Zinus revealed their list of top things to remove from your bedroom to help improve sleep – even in the cold weather!

Cluttered bedside table – For those who like to have a refreshment at bedtime (sleepy tea, water or a squash!) don’t let the cups and glasses build up. Although a hot drink can help with sleep especially in the heat, allowing mugs to pile up can cause a chaotic space next to the bed which in turn can promote a less clear headspace.

In addition, a fresh start and end to the day should be encouraged by keeping your bedside generally clear! Should you charge your phone by the bed, try and ensure the wires are kept tangle-free and easily accessible. In addition, try to keep other items neatly stacked and tidy or even purchase a bedside table with a drawer – out of sight and out of mind.

TV – As nice as it can be to fall asleep to a film or TV snuggled up in bed, there are reasons to keep the screen out of your bedroom. Watching TV before bed not only mimics activity in your brain but can also disrupt circadian rhythms through light exposure which can make it harder to fall asleep.

Not only can the TV affect sleep, but also using phones and tablets before bedtime. A simple practice of charging these devices away from the bed can help promote less brain activity before bedtime.

Inconsistent light – In the practice of feng shui, balance is key so installing inconsistent lighting in your bedroom can really affect your mood and the way you feel which in turn affects your quality of sleep. To help improve sleep, we would recommend removing inconsistent and harsh lighting and trying to find ambient light sources which have a low colour temperature.

Mirrors in the bedroom – Different feng shui schools promote different beliefs regarding mirrors in the bedroom – some believe in no mirrors at all, and some believe in just not facing the bed. The reason why you wouldn’t have them facing the bed is based on the fact that mirrors reflect and amplify energy (negative and positive) so this can affect the quality of your sleep.

Alongside this, it can help reflect artificial light in the room which can have a negative influence on relaxation before bed. In addition to these practical reasons, there are also spiritual beliefs around the amplification of negative and stressful situations in the room.

Folded and hanging washing  – To keep the space below and above eye level, try and avoid having piles of washing on the floor or hanging clothes up on doors. This will help create a clear eye view before and after you wake up promoting a feeling of a coherent space and calm as you go to sleep and wake up!