Saying Good Night to Arthritis
joy of nesting
Does
your pain level worsen with fluctuations in the weather? Mine sure does. When
the weather turns extremely cold or extremely hot (104 here last week!) my pain
increased dramatically. I’ve learned to counteract those periods by preparing
for them in advance and you can too.
your pain level worsen with fluctuations in the weather? Mine sure does. When
the weather turns extremely cold or extremely hot (104 here last week!) my pain
increased dramatically. I’ve learned to counteract those periods by preparing
for them in advance and you can too.
Bedroom Design Carter Kay and Nancy Hoof
Maintaining
a consistent exercise schedule, staying on the arthritis diet six out of seven
days, keeping up with your morning green juice, and maintaining a highly
functional home all help you to stay on top of the curves degenerative illness
throws your way.
a consistent exercise schedule, staying on the arthritis diet six out of seven
days, keeping up with your morning green juice, and maintaining a highly
functional home all help you to stay on top of the curves degenerative illness
throws your way.
Your
bedroom is of particular importance during times like these.
bedroom is of particular importance during times like these.
Sheets
What
makes you feel super pampered on days when you have an inordinate amount of
pain? Cool, cotton sheets with the highly prized, high thread count of course!
makes you feel super pampered on days when you have an inordinate amount of
pain? Cool, cotton sheets with the highly prized, high thread count of course!
I
love white. White paper towels, white napkins, white t.p., white towels, and
white sheets. White is clean looking and versatile. And I love the faint smell
of lavender on my linens. When my sheets are freshly changed and smell good, all
seems well with the world. A cozy bed is really an investment in yourself
because you and your mate are the only ones who will enjoy these small
luxuries. It’s a nice way to express “self-care”: to make you feel balanced and
well.
love white. White paper towels, white napkins, white t.p., white towels, and
white sheets. White is clean looking and versatile. And I love the faint smell
of lavender on my linens. When my sheets are freshly changed and smell good, all
seems well with the world. A cozy bed is really an investment in yourself
because you and your mate are the only ones who will enjoy these small
luxuries. It’s a nice way to express “self-care”: to make you feel balanced and
well.
The
softest, most comfortable sheets are Egyptian cotton or Pima cotton. A 400
thread count is sufficient for a quality, comfortable bed sheet. Anything
higher is overkill. Remember there is more to sheets than just thread count. If
the cotton is poor quality they will wrinkle. And who has time to iron their
sheets or hang them outside to damp dry.
softest, most comfortable sheets are Egyptian cotton or Pima cotton. A 400
thread count is sufficient for a quality, comfortable bed sheet. Anything
higher is overkill. Remember there is more to sheets than just thread count. If
the cotton is poor quality they will wrinkle. And who has time to iron their
sheets or hang them outside to damp dry.
Bedding
Most
beds benefit from the following components: two weights of comforters (one
light weight for warm weather and one heavier weight for cold weather), one
decorative duvet cover (it’s like a giant pillow case that protects your
comforter), two foam pillows for bolstering, two decorative pillow shams, two
down or synthetic-down sleeping pillows, two decorative rectangular throw
pillows (also called kidney pillows because they support your kidneys when you
sit against them), one throw blanket for over the foot of the bed, and one bed
skirt. If you don’t have a head board, consider getting an upholstered one.
They are functional additions especially if you enjoy reading in bed. Most
designers can have these made-to-order for you. They are available in a wide
range of prices and styles and are comparatively priced to wood or wicker ones.
beds benefit from the following components: two weights of comforters (one
light weight for warm weather and one heavier weight for cold weather), one
decorative duvet cover (it’s like a giant pillow case that protects your
comforter), two foam pillows for bolstering, two decorative pillow shams, two
down or synthetic-down sleeping pillows, two decorative rectangular throw
pillows (also called kidney pillows because they support your kidneys when you
sit against them), one throw blanket for over the foot of the bed, and one bed
skirt. If you don’t have a head board, consider getting an upholstered one.
They are functional additions especially if you enjoy reading in bed. Most
designers can have these made-to-order for you. They are available in a wide
range of prices and styles and are comparatively priced to wood or wicker ones.
Windows
There
are many options for window coverings. In the bedroom your main concern will be
light and privacy control. These issues are best addressed before aesthetics
but I know… we all want our bedroom to look pretty too! The good news is one
doesn’t have to preclude the other.
are many options for window coverings. In the bedroom your main concern will be
light and privacy control. These issues are best addressed before aesthetics
but I know… we all want our bedroom to look pretty too! The good news is one
doesn’t have to preclude the other.
In
the master bedroom, you want to plan on at least one room darkening treatment “layer”.
These could be lined Roman shades, lined woven shades, wooden blinds or shutters.
I know you probably don’t care for fabric window treatments but the hard truth
is your home doesn’t feel done without them. The noise level without window
coverings doesn’t lend itself to a very comforting environment and with
arthritis we are all about comfort!
the master bedroom, you want to plan on at least one room darkening treatment “layer”.
These could be lined Roman shades, lined woven shades, wooden blinds or shutters.
I know you probably don’t care for fabric window treatments but the hard truth
is your home doesn’t feel done without them. The noise level without window
coverings doesn’t lend itself to a very comforting environment and with
arthritis we are all about comfort!
For
those of us with chronic pain, a good night’s sleep is IMPERATIVE. Believe it when someone tells you “the darker
the room the better”! I didn’t know what I was missing until I had this huge
game changer in my own home. Check into an expensive hotel and see what I mean.
those of us with chronic pain, a good night’s sleep is IMPERATIVE. Believe it when someone tells you “the darker
the room the better”! I didn’t know what I was missing until I had this huge
game changer in my own home. Check into an expensive hotel and see what I mean.
To
ensure darkness do what we call in the industry an ‘outside mount’. If you mount them inside the window frame,
the gaps will allow light to seep through.
Add an additional inch or two in width for better light control.
ensure darkness do what we call in the industry an ‘outside mount’. If you mount them inside the window frame,
the gaps will allow light to seep through.
Add an additional inch or two in width for better light control.
Fabric
treatments don’t have to be busy. You will grow to love them, as I have, tailored
and tasteful.
treatments don’t have to be busy. You will grow to love them, as I have, tailored
and tasteful.
Lighting
Table
lamps on the night stands are standard fare. Putting them on dimmer switches is
a nice, ambient touch. Dimmer switches for lamps are available at many lighting
stores. The lamp dimmer concept is great because you
simply plug the dimmer cord into the wall and plug the lamp into the dimmer
cord. In this way, you can control the level of light as well as access the
dimmer cord’s on/off switch without even sitting up in bed. You will love how easy it is! No more twisting your neck and shoulder!
lamps on the night stands are standard fare. Putting them on dimmer switches is
a nice, ambient touch. Dimmer switches for lamps are available at many lighting
stores. The lamp dimmer concept is great because you
simply plug the dimmer cord into the wall and plug the lamp into the dimmer
cord. In this way, you can control the level of light as well as access the
dimmer cord’s on/off switch without even sitting up in bed. You will love how easy it is! No more twisting your neck and shoulder!
Mattresses
Choosing
a mattress is a matter of personal requirements but my favorite, most luxuriant
night sleep is on the Simmons Heavenly Bed System pillow top mattress and box
spring, the one Westin Hotels use. The mattress thickness is about 12 or 13
inches and the box spring, about 8 to 9 inches.
a mattress is a matter of personal requirements but my favorite, most luxuriant
night sleep is on the Simmons Heavenly Bed System pillow top mattress and box
spring, the one Westin Hotels use. The mattress thickness is about 12 or 13
inches and the box spring, about 8 to 9 inches.
Decor
When
decorating your own bedroom, as in all decorating for chronic pain keep in mind
what the room is for: relaxation. Reds, oranges, and other vibrant colors are
not conducive to this and for some reason consumers LOVE a red bedroom. Color
theory is a topic unto itself but follow these easy tips to understand how you
can make color work well for you in your bedroom.
decorating your own bedroom, as in all decorating for chronic pain keep in mind
what the room is for: relaxation. Reds, oranges, and other vibrant colors are
not conducive to this and for some reason consumers LOVE a red bedroom. Color
theory is a topic unto itself but follow these easy tips to understand how you
can make color work well for you in your bedroom.
Keep
the amount of colors in your bedroom to a minimum. Stick with restful colors
like greens, blues, and violet. I know you love black, white and gray but
honestly there is no comfort to be found there. White is sterile. Black is
maudlin. Gray is … well… gray. It’s not a color and therefore it’s not going to
nurture you anytime soon. However, using black, white and gray as back drops
and accents is an opportunity to create a beautiful, highly comforting design
scheme. Muted versions of warm colors like blush and light flesh tones also
work nicely if chosen well. When doing rooms with neutral color schemes, try to
think outside the box. Neutral design schemes in formal settings have been
overdone. Instead, add interest to your neutral scheme with rustic antiques and
textures, as seen in Swedish and Belgian design schemes.
the amount of colors in your bedroom to a minimum. Stick with restful colors
like greens, blues, and violet. I know you love black, white and gray but
honestly there is no comfort to be found there. White is sterile. Black is
maudlin. Gray is … well… gray. It’s not a color and therefore it’s not going to
nurture you anytime soon. However, using black, white and gray as back drops
and accents is an opportunity to create a beautiful, highly comforting design
scheme. Muted versions of warm colors like blush and light flesh tones also
work nicely if chosen well. When doing rooms with neutral color schemes, try to
think outside the box. Neutral design schemes in formal settings have been
overdone. Instead, add interest to your neutral scheme with rustic antiques and
textures, as seen in Swedish and Belgian design schemes.
In
the bedroom, less is more. Incorporate tactile elements like soft throws and
pillows, pre-warmed sheets in the winter, and light dimming options for
bedtime. The quality of furnishings in the master bedroom should be notably
better than in the childrens’ rooms and guests’ rooms. Choose quality fabrics,
original artwork (or good reproductions), and unique furniture and accessories.
Keep surfaces clean and dust free. Enjoy your retreat and remember what it’s
there for, to replenish your tired spirit.
the bedroom, less is more. Incorporate tactile elements like soft throws and
pillows, pre-warmed sheets in the winter, and light dimming options for
bedtime. The quality of furnishings in the master bedroom should be notably
better than in the childrens’ rooms and guests’ rooms. Choose quality fabrics,
original artwork (or good reproductions), and unique furniture and accessories.
Keep surfaces clean and dust free. Enjoy your retreat and remember what it’s
there for, to replenish your tired spirit.
My new book has a whole chapter devoted to making your bedroom a soul soothing place for
healing! For a free chapter click here: “Pain Free Decorating: Creating Nurturing Spaces for WomenWith Arthritis” .
healing! For a free chapter click here: “Pain Free Decorating: Creating Nurturing Spaces for WomenWith Arthritis” .
Live
beautifully. Eat beautifully, Shiree’
beautifully. Eat beautifully, Shiree’
June 21, 2019
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