5 Essentials to Have on Your Nightstand

By Alicia Geigel on October 20, 2017

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If you are anything like me, you love organization but the idiosyncrasies of life do not always make it easy for you to be organized. One of the biggest indicators of my life being in shambles at the moment is a messy nightstand. Approximately 12 half-filled water bottles, used tissues, and candy wrappers take up what used to be a perfect small space by my bedside during these troubling times.

The rough currents of life do not last forever, however, which means that you can have your perfect small space right next to you in the form of a nightstand.

“Alicia, what makes a nightstand so great?” you might ask.

Well, they can not only be useful storage areas for important items you may need by your side but also make your living space more cozy and comfortable for you! Looking for ideas to set up an ideal night side table but do not know where to start?

Check out the top five essentials I think you should have on your nightstand!

1. A glass/bottle of water: I’m sure you have heard of the wondrous benefits of water intake for not only your physical health but also your mental health. However, how often do we take into consideration these facts?

I know that for me, I tend to go back and forth when it comes to my water intake with some days having only a mere bottle or two and others having close to a gallon. The facts are that water has an immense amount of benefits, including ones to help you sleep!

According to MayoClinic, the average woman should consume around 2.7 liters of water a day, and men 3.7 liters (or approximately ¾ of a gallon). Among its many wonders, water is known to relieve headaches and migraines, as dehydration is a trigger of both; no one wants to go to bed with a headache!

Additionally, water can boost your mood as it clears your body of toxins which can affect your mood and emotions, which will help you fall asleep better, Abby Phon of MindBodyGreen.com notes.

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2. A good book: I know that with our busy schedules of balancing school, work, and a rigorous social life that there is not always time to read. However, I do challenge you to keep a book you are interested in on your nightstand and read a few pages every night before bed!

I know this is possible because as of 2017, we spend at least two hours on social media and messaging services a day, Jason Mander of GlobalWebIndex.com states. If we have the time to scroll mindlessly on our Twitter feed or constantly refresh our Facebook, then we can definitely put down our phones, disconnect from our social media life for a little while, and indulge in a good book.

In an article by the Reader’s Digest, clinical psychologist Janet Kennedy notes that “Occupying the mind with something other than the business of the day or the stress or the concern of not sleeping is the easiest way to get back to sleep faster.”

The less we are obsessed with what is going on in our social feed online before bed, the greater chance we have of falling asleep faster and getting a better sleep!

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3. An eye mask: I get it, eye masks are not for everyone and I was not an eye mask fan for a while myself, but once I got on board, my sleeping experience has not been the same! The reality is, lights from various sources can affect our sleep cycles which only makes us miserable and groggy in the long run.

Light can come from our phones, chargers, electronic devices like video game systems, night lights, or even natural light upon the sun rising. More specifically, light from our electronic devices is considered blue light, which inhabits our body’s ability to produce a sleep inducing hormone called Melatonin, according to Marissa Laliberte of Reader’s Digest.

For a better sleep, invest in a sleeping mask that feels comfortable and fits your head nicely; do not neglect this part, as you don’t want to be uncomfortable for this!

4. A pair of headphones: One of the greatest relaxers for me and for many of us is music. In fact, the first thing I do in the morning is plug in my headphones to my phone and blast some soulful tunes or ’90s pop rock jams to get my morning going.

Whether you are working in bed late, watching a movie from your tablet/laptop on a sick day, or just trying to fall asleep, a pair of headphones will make all the difference in your listening and/or viewing experience, which is just one little element that can make your nightstand perfect for you!

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5. A tray/bowl for your necessities: We all know the struggle of forgetting to take out earrings, neglecting to take off glasses, etc. before bed. To save yourself the trouble of knocking over your glasses or your favorite ring in the middle of the night, invest in a decorative bowl or tray to place your go-to necessities before you go to sleep; that way they are out of your way and they have a clear and decorative place to go on your stand!

The best element about this project you are taking on is that it is totally customizable! Do you have allergies that make you sneeze or have a runny nose during the night? Throw a box of tissues on there! Worried about the sequence of events you have in the upcoming week? Keep a planner with a pen on your stand to give you immediate access to your to-do list when you need it!

Whether or not you are trying to be more organized or are simply trying to find a layout that will work for you, have fun with it! As always, good luck!

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