The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Denison chapter.
Over the past few years, and after various college bedrooms, I have found some specific items that bring joy into my daily life. Our physical environment is extremely important and connected to our emotional wellbeing. Creating and fostering a peaceful, positive space has been essential for me during my time at Denison. Today, I have narrowed my bedroom essentials down to a brief list of five, touching on some of the elements I value most: sleep, anxiety relief, and organization. Hopefully these items inspire you to analyze your personal, physical environments and make necessary adjustments to keep your mind quiet, your body relaxed, and your heart happy.
- A Heated Blanket – This has been one of my favorite items for the past couple of years. Even in the heat of the warmer months, my heated blanket brings me a sense of comfort. I’ve incorporated it into my nightly routine as well, turning down my bed, laying it over or under my comforter, turning the heat setting to the highest, and going to get ready for bed. Once I come back, my bed is warm and cozy, inviting me into a night of restful sleep.(ttps://tinyurl.com/yc7fkm5p)
- A Himalayan salt lamp – The warm light that Himalayan salt lamps give off is extremely relaxing. My love for them has grown recently, and I now have a heart-shaped lamp, a plug-in nightlight, and an alarm clock with small bits of Himalayan salt filling the acrylic base. Himalayan salt lamps are actually said to purify a room’s air, reduce allergy symptoms, help with sleep and improve mood. (https://tinyurl.com/3vvmrkd6)
- Makeup and Skincare organizer with clear lid – I like to call this my “skincare bubble”. I struggled with skincare and makeup organization for years, and I finally found one organizer that holds everything I need at school. The best part about these organizers is that the clear, top lid allows you to keep your larger products standing up, while still being protected from dust, water, and other daily debris. While much larger than some other organizers, my “skincare bubble” sits nicely in the corner of my desk and keeps most of my products hidden in the two bottom drawers, while displaying my most-used perfumes, face masks, hair and face oils, etc. (https://tinyurl.com/2dwa2are)
- A weighted stuffed animal – I found a weighted dinosaur at Target over the summer, and it has become a bedtime staple. Weighted stuffed animals have been known to help with calming the nervous system, similar to the positive effects of a good hug. Before I try to sleep, I lay my weighted dinosaur on my chest, allowing the few pounds to ease the day’s anxiety. (https://tinyurl.com/3jj76s6y)
- Little trays, big trays, all trays – One thing that I love about all of the college bedrooms I’ve had has been all of the various dishes and trays that sit atop desks, side tables, desks, and nightstands. Trays give a room an eclectic, comforting energy to me, especially when they are thrifted. Every year when I move into a new bedroom, I find myself wondering how to organize all of my desk essentials. I struggle to find a balance between clutter and stark simplicity. Small trays hold my daily jewelry, lip balms, and hand creams. Larger trays hold my glasses, my current favorite candle, and my most-used pens. The beauty of trays is that the little bits and bobs don’t look messy or scattered across a surface; they’re on their designated tray. I usually find the best trays at Goodwill, wandering through the isles of kitchen items to find the ceramics that match my personal preferences.