5-year-old Ashley is busy chatting, deeply immersed in her dramatic play with her collection of dolls. It would be perfectly fine for her to play, but the time is already 10.00pm. Her mother is telling her to pack up for bedtime, but her words seem to fall on deaf ears. Does this scenario sound all too familiar?

Sleep is an integral part of our daily lives. It is important for a child’s and adult’s well-being as it affects how their body and mind function. Children who have adequate sleep are also more likely to perform better developmentally and are less prone to behavioural problems. Experts have suggested that creating an appropriate sleeping environment is vital in correcting and changing one’s sleeping habits.

Here are some tips on how you can create a relaxing sleep environment for your little ones:

• Separate rooms

The most conducive environment is to have separate rooms for sleep and play. Ideally, bedrooms should only be used for rest and sleep. However, if it is not possible, you may want to consider delineating your child’s room. Ensure that his toys are kept neatly away from his bed and out of sight, as the sight of them can be very tempting and distracting.

• Fresh air

Fresh air is a major component in improving one’s sleep. Sleeping in fresh air allows the body to receive the required oxygen in a purer state. However, in highly urbanized landscape, most of the indoor air we inhale is recycled air, which contains harmful allergens such as mould, dust mites and bacteria. This impure air may also bring about health problems such as sinus, asthma and eczema.

With today’s technological advancements and inventions, you can have cleaner and fresher air at home. OSIM’s uVenus ambient purifier has a 360 degree suction panel for optimal suction, and purifies stale indoor air into cleaner air through a 5 filter layer Multi-action Tru-air purification process.

• Cool colours

For your child’s room wall, furniture, bed and pillow sheets, choose colours that are easy and peaceful on the eyes. Cool colours such as blue, green or violet, are said to provide a sense of calm.

• Mood Light

Most children are afraid to sleep in complete darkness. Adding a gentle low light, (also known as mood light) to their bedroom for use at night may help them to fall asleep better, as our bodies require darkness to activate the sleep hormone melatonin. OSIM uVenus not only offers 7 coloured mood lights for you to choose from independently, it also has 3 unique modulating mood light functions, specially developed by mood light specialist Anadi A. Martel. For example, cool colours of purple, blue and aqua will gently alternate in a slow rhythm under the RELAX function, to induce feelings of peace and calmness.

• Soothing Tunes

Music can also have a positive impact on one’s sleep in many different ways. Research has shown how brainwaves resonate with sounds in our environment. Playing soft and soothing music can help your child to calm down and sleep better. Created by international brainwave expert Dr. Jeffery Thompson, the uVenus music is developed based on Alpha and Beta brainwaves to cultivate the best conditions of your child’s relaxation.

Bedrooms should be our own calm and peaceful abode, where we can escape from the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. If you are having some trouble in getting your child to slumberland, do consider the above factors. A few small changes to your child’s routine and sleeping environment can do wonders to his or her sleeping habits. Sweet dreams are indeed made of these.

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