If you are looking for new window coverings, blackout curtains are a good option to consider. Blackout curtains are a good choice because they are practical and functional. Plus, they can look stylish too.
Blackout curtains have many benefits and one of them is that they can improve your sleep. Blackout curtains can actually make you feel more sleepy.
Here is how blackout curtains make you feel more sleepy:
Blackout curtains make the room dark which in turn makes us more sleepy. When it is dark, our body naturally assumes it’s nighttime and starts to relax which will help you get sleepy.Â
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Do Blackout Curtains Change Your Sleep Habits?
The biggest pros of having blackout curtains are being able to block light from coming into a room. Blackout curtains can make a room pitch-black, even during the day when it is bright and sunny outdoors.
Most blackout curtains will block almost all light out.
For people with sleeping problems, blackout curtains can improve their sleeping habits.
In general, we feel more sleepy when it is dark and cold. Blackout curtains can help you achieve this during the hours when it’s not dark outside.
Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted by our pineal gland. This hormone regulates our sleep-wake cycle.
Blackout curtains can make a room dark, which will make us feel sleepy.
So if you have a problem falling asleep at night, blackout curtains may be the perfect solution to your problem. These curtains can make you fall asleep faster.
Do Blackout Curtains Make You Sleep Longer?
Since blackout curtains do not let light enter a room, they can also make you sleep longer.
Light is an external factor that serves as one of the cues for our body to wake up, and when there is no light coming in the room, we tend to sleep longer.
If you are someone who tends to wake up every now and then, blackout curtains can help you get uninterrupted sleep.
By restricting light from entering the room, blackout curtains will make you stay in bed longer.
Additionally, blackout curtains can also block out any background noise.
So if you are easily woken up by small noises, blackout curtains would be perfect for you. Blackout curtains will create a quieter and more peaceful sleeping environment so that you will get longer and better sleepy.
Do We Need Natural Light To Wake Up Better?
Most people depend on alarms to wake up. But there are times when they do not work. This is because there are much more effective ways to wake up and signal our bodies that it is time to start the day.
Apart from noise, light is a good signal for our brains to wake up. In fact, light is a better stimulus.
More than any other environmental factors, natural light is one of the best signals to tell our brains to wake up.
This is because our eyes have light receptors. These receptors gauge the brightness of the light and use that to tell our brain what part of the day it is.
Naturally, if it is bright, these receptors tell our brain that it is daytime and that it is time to get up and get the day started.
This is why being woken up by an alarm in a dark room rarely works.
So once you wake up, just pull the curtains or drapes apart and let some natural light in.
Your brain will immediately accept the fact that it is time to be awake, and it will make you mentally and physically ready to get started on your day.
Is A Darker Room Better For Sleep?
In general, a darker room is better for sleep.
This is because when it is dark, our pineal gland secretes melatonin at a faster rate which induces the feeling of sleepiness. When it is dark, we typically sleep better and longer.
What Are The Benefits Of Blackout Curtains?
Blackout curtains have so many benefits. This is why they are an excellent choice if you are looking for window coverings or draperies in your rooms.
Here are the benefits of blackout curtains:
Blackout curtains can help you sleep better.
Since blackout curtains can effectively make a room dark, your body secretes that hormone to induce sleep you end up getting a better quality of sleep.
This is beneficial to people with sleeping problems, as blackout curtains can instantly darken a room to sleep better.
These curtains are also good for those who work night shifts. Sleeping during the day can be difficult but blackout curtains can help darken a room to an extent that you would not be able to tell if it is bright or dark outside.
If you have a baby, blackout curtains can also help make them fall asleep better.
This means less crying and sleep deprivation for the baby, and more quiet moments and resting hours for the parents.
Blackout curtains have many health benefits.
Because blackout curtains help you sleep better, they can improve your overall health.
But there are actually health benefits that are related to sleeping in a dark bedroom.
Blackout curtains can help reduce the risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes. This is because sleeping in a bright room causes insulin resistance.
These curtains can also help you maintain a healthy weight.
Sleep is a huge factor in a person’s weight, and people who generally have a better quality of sleep find it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Because blackout curtains can help you sleep better, they give your body more time to regenerate. Thus, you are more refreshed and well-rested during the day.
Plus, better sleep generally can help improve your mental health.
Blackout curtains can help eliminate background noise.
Apart from blocking light from entering a room, blackout curtains can also block the noise coming from the outside.
Noise is an external factor that can your life indoors. Blackout curtains can help eliminate background noise, so it is quieter for you indoors.
This means less distraction if you are working at home or if you want to watch a movie. This also means better and uninterrupted sleep at night, because there are no background noises to wake you up.
What Are The Downsides Of Blackout Curtains?
There are some downsides to having blackout curtains.
Blackout curtains can totally darken a room and minimize natural light in the morning. While this helps when you sleep, this is not ideal when you want a bright room to help you focus on your tasks during the day.
When you want to do some work or if you want to read, you would definitely need brighter surroundings.
Another downside is that some blackout curtains lack style. They usually come in thick fabrics, with not a lot of options for design. You may need to buy extra accessories or layer the blackout curtains with thinner curtains if you want to style your room, which adds to your expenses.
Blackout curtains are bulky so another downside to them is that they can be difficult to maintain. The maintenance depends on the type of fabric used, but generally, there are blackout curtains that are too heavy that it can be challenging to wash them.
Worst case scenario is that you have to have them professionally cleaned which can be costly.
Additionally, blackout curtains can be expensive. This is because they are made of thick, durable, and good-quality fabrics that make them functional.
Because of their numerous benefits, blackout curtains are a great idea when you are looking to buy window coverings for your home.
Even though they can be expensive, you really cannot put a price on good quality sleep and overall health, which makes blackout curtains very much worth it.
Blackout curtains can increase your energy efficiency at home.
Blackout curtains can help reduce your electricity bill by making your home more energy-efficient.
In fact, blackout curtains can help reduce your bill by up to 25%.
During cold months, blackout curtains can help warm up the room by keeping the heat in. This can significantly decrease your need to use a thermal heater.
During summer, blackout curtains can reflect the heat to keep it out of the room. So it generally helps keep the room cool, thus reducing the need for air-conditioning or cooling appliances.
In both of these instances, your electricity bill can be reduced.
Sources:
The Benefits of Blackout Curtains
Are Blackout Curtains Worth Getting? The Pros & Cons Of Having A Dark Bedroom