Forget revision guides and home tutors, if you want to do well in exams this year it’s time to streamline your surroundings and boost the brain with a blue bedroom according to new research.
As thousands of students across the UK hide away in bedrooms to revise for GCSEs, A levels and degrees, fitted bedroom furniture specialist Betta Living has published research which shows that providing the right kind of learning environment is just as essential to success as a good diet and solid revision timetable.
Betta Living’s top tips for creating ‘brain boosting bedrooms’ include:
Choose green and blue in the bedroom
According to psychotherapist and author of The Beginners Gu
ide to Colour Psychology, Angela Wright, gentle shades of green and blue help concentration, memory and emotional tranquillity.
“Blue is the colour of the mind and is essentially soothing. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Consequently it is serene and mentally calming.” And expert author Martin Mak says “Green is said to counteract headaches, disturbances of vision and loss of concentration and gentle shades of blue and green are therefore thought to relieve stress and improve concentration levels.” De-clutter and opt for minimalist furniture. According to feng shui experts clutter creates low, stagnant and confusing energy which constantly drains energy from you.
The basic principals of feng shui say that we are influenced by things, events and people closest to us so clear the clutter in your bedroom to give the mind space to take in the essential information needed for cramming. Take out all the items which create visual clutter and do not really belong in the bedroom. This includes the TV, phone, any exercise equipment, bulky furniture and storage units.
Use black out blinds
Teens need at least eight and a half hours of uninterrupted sleep to leave their bodies and minds rejuvenated for the next day, say the Sleep Foundation. If sleep is cut short, the body doesn’t have time to complete all of the phases needed for muscle repair, memory consolidation and release of hormones regulating growth and appetite. We then wake up less prepared to concentrate, make decisions, or engage fully in school and social activities.
Ensure rooms are bright during study time—mirrored furniture is great for reflecting light for maximum illumination
Sunlight lifts the mood and improves energy levels, helping you to feel more focused and motivated. Light directly influences our emotions because it reaches the brain through the eyes, and is transmitted to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is connected to almost every other part of the brain, and involved with the regulation of hormones involved in motivation and reward.
As a consequence, light has an effect on our basic drives and biological functions.
Open windows and have a stream of fresh air coming in to the room
A steady supply of fresh air is very important.
Fresh air provides you with a steady supply of oxygen which is needed by your brain and every single cell of your body. If you stay in a closed in area for a long period of time, you will end up breathing in the same air over and over again. The oxygen content of the air will go down continually as you breathe out carbon dioxide and other wastes. Breathing this stale air will not supply your body with enough oxygen to keep your cells fueled and functioning properly.
