An Expert In Chinese Medicine Shares Her Top 9 Tips For Better Sleep

Sleep plays a crucial role in our health. Addressing sleep problems will not only help prevent illness, but it will also go a long way in cultivating health, wellness, and longevity. Different cultures have unique ways of addressing sleep issues. In Chinese medicine, getting better rest is all about balancing yin and yang (learn more about the connection between yin and yang and sleep here) and achieving optimal feng shui in the bedroom. Here are nine ways to start doing just that:

Worry, overthinking, and racing thoughts are very yang and make it difficult to fall asleep. To power down the mind before bed, try a breathing exercise to help promote more yin energy, like the 4-7-8 relaxing breath.

From 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. are considered the most yin hours of the day, when the energy is calmest. Getting into bed before 11 when possible can help you sync your own biological clock to this relaxing energy.

Studies show that bright light before bedtime1 can suppress melatonin production. Investing in some heavy or blackout window curtains will help keep your sleep space dark. In terms of temperature, 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal range for the bedroom. Your body naturally lowers its temperature during rest, and keeping a cool environment will help you stay in deep sleep.

Acupuncture has been shown to ease many issues including insomnia2. One of the benefits of acupuncture for sleep is that it seems to increase nocturnal secretion of melatonin3, the hormone needed to get deep and restful sleep.

Feng shui is the art and science of placement, and it's based on the Daoist principles of yin and yang. To make your bedroom a sanctuary for sleep, feng shui philosophy recommends placing your bed so it is facing but not directly in line with your door. This way you can see who is entering the space without feeling like you have no privacy or that energy is racing into the room. If space is an issue, you can add a Japanese door curtain so that even when a door is open, there is a boundary and something to slow energy down.

Color has a very powerful effect in feng shui. If you have a small space, soft neutral tones can help make it feel bigger and lighter. For a relaxing bedroom, cooler colors like blues and grays can slow the energy down.

Remove any mirrors that face your bed. Since mirrors are thought to reflect energy back to you, they can remind you of physical stressors (like piles of clothes) or worrying, racing thoughts. They can even make it feel like there is a presence watching you sleep. Also, no photos of relatives in the bedroom: You don't want to have any other people's energy in your sleep space.

Leaving your computer in the bedroom can tempt you to engage in screen time before bed, which studies have shown4 can affect sleep. Screens can also be reminders of work-related tasks and get you to start thinking about your to-do list.

Finally, keeping your sleep area tidy and clear of distractions goes a long way in promoting mental clarity. Having objects that are serene and make you feel calm will help to set the environment for restful sleep.