The one thing to have in your bedroom for better sleep

Sleep… some of us just can’t get enough of it. Or have it for long enough.

We know we need it for our bodies to restore and rejuvenate, to grow muscle, repair tissue and help retain information, but that doesn’t make it any easier. 

It’s not like many other tasks that you just go and do. If you’ve ever laid awake at night wishing for sleep to come, you’ll know what I mean.

Read more: What to do when your legs won’t let you sleep. 

But maybe science has a very simple answer.

Scientists are saying that you can get plenty of health benefits by the way you decorate your room… by including plants. They claim it can not only boost your health but also your sleep.

How? Having plants around you reduces stress, anxiety, as well as helping with the removal of airborne pollutants. What’s not to love?

Read more: Doing this in bed will help you sleep better. 

Which ones are best? 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW9Ej1Ylk3v/?hl=en&tagged=lavenderpot

Lavender

This is already known for helping with reducing stress and anxiety, and is often used in heat pads and as herbal additions to pillows for a better sleep, but why not have the real thing growing in your room instead? It’s also very pretty and smells amazing! According to the National Sleep Foundation, lavender helps your body relax by lowering your blood pressure and heart rate.

These can grow big so choose a small one for indoors. Water is lightly whenever the soil feels dry, but not too much or you’ll get root rot. It would love to be near a window.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BapQx11AXgW/?hl=en&tagged=aloevera

Aloe Vera

This is an easy plant to grow and is great for healing scrapes and sunburn. It’s also one of the best plants for air purification, according to NASA, which makes it an ideal bedside addition as well. 

It’s a succulent so needs good drainage. Indirect bright light or artificial light is best. This needs a good soaking of water but only every three weeks or so – even less in colder months. When ‘babies’ appear you can detach them from the main plant, let them callus over for a day or two then plant in a new pot. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNBbHtBDmgh/?hl=en&tagged=englishivyplant

English Ivy

It’s more often seen outside the home growing up your house but it’s great for the bedroom too.The NASA Clean Air Study found that English ivy can reduce the amount of mould spores in your home environment. 

This is a poisonous plant, so it needs to be out of reach of kids and pets, plus the sap can cause a reaction, so be warned. It will also grow quickly so prune regularly. Water when the soil is dry and keep in a shady spot with indirect light. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BanfeSYj0sA/?hl=en&tagged=snakeplant

Snake Plant

It doesn’t have the best sounding name but there’s a good reason for it. The leaves on this plant are long and narrow and curl around like a snake. And while it might look nice and modern, it has great health benefits too, especially if you have allergies or asthma. This plant is great at filtering harmful toxins from the air, including carbon dioxide. 

This one is practically impossible to kill. It doesn’t need much light and only the occasional water. The most upkeep it might need would be the occasional dusting.

What indoor plants do you have?