708 days ago

Do Blackout Curtains Help With Sleep?

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (Hawkes Bay Chem-Dry)

Do you feel like there is too much light in your bedroom at night or in the morning? Too much light in your bedroom could be severely interfering with your sleep. Here’s how blackout curtains can help.

Why does light affect your sleep?
Light is one of the key signals for your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is essentially your master ‘body clock’ that takes its cues from your general sleeping patterns, light exposure and temperature. This body clock starts facilitating the release of the sleep hormone melatonin about 2 hours before ‘bedtime’.

So, reducing your exposure to light at night time may help signal to your body that it’s time for bed and help you achieve a deeper sleep. This means you should be avoiding exposure to sunlight, reducing your screen time, and dimming the lights or lamps in your bedroom. Unless you live deeply rural, you will also need to find ways to reduce light from cars, streetlights and other homes entering your bedroom. That’s where blackout curtains come in.

What are blackout curtains?
Blackout curtain or lining fabric is made from dense, tightly woven materials that do not allow light through. Because the material is dense, blackout fabrics also have great insulation and noise-cancelling properties.

How blackout curtains help you get a better night’s sleep
When installed correctly, blackout curtains (or blackout curtain lining) almost completely stop external light entering your bedroom, and so contribute to an environment that allows a deeper sleep. They need to full cover the window frame for the blackout effect to work properly, so light doesn’t come through the sides. Blackout fabrics will also help reduce your energy bill and make it easier for you to control the temperature in your bedroom – another crucial factor for your circadian rhythm.

Blackout curtains will drastically improve sleep for night shift workers
If your job or lifestyle mean you need to get your rest during daylight hours, blackout curtains are a fantastic way to reduce light exposure and ‘trick’ your circadian rhythm into producing melatonin.

If you would like to add a blackout lining to your current curtains or book your curtains or blinds in for a maintenance clean, contact the team at Curtain Clean on 0800 579 0501.

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More messages from your neighbours
11 hours ago

Turn downsizing stress into strength

Princess Alexandra Retirement Village

Downsizing can open the door to a new stage of your life that is rich in opportunity. However, it can be a daunting prospect. If you are embarking on a new chapter of life, the thought of shedding familiar possessions can feel even more stressful. This can be true even if the life changes are a good thing, such as a move to somewhere you will love to live.

Once you understand why you have this feeling, you can reframe it as creating a new environment that will support your present life while reminding you of your best experiences.

Click read more for the full article.

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21 hours ago

Minimalist Design in Apartment Living

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

Ryman’s Charles Upham Retirement Village resident Di is a former fashion designer, artist and self-confessed shoe hoarder who travels, still paints and has stamped her eclectic minimalist style on her apartment.

She gives us her top 3 design tips on how she’s turned her space into a beautiful home.
Find out more

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21 hours ago

Hi, what's your name?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We want to get to know our neighbours and we think you do too!

Simply share a little about yourself on the Know Thy Neighbour page and others will follow suit (you could also win one of our 10 x $50 Prezzy® cards!).

Are you the go-to person for baking advice (and a cup of sugar!) or have some computer skills that you're happy to share? We'd love to know.

Whether you're looking for others to join you on your walks, or just wanting to know more about your neighbours, go ahead and introduce yourself.
Get Involved

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