Everyone loves a good night’s sleep. But with everything going on in your world on any given day, waking up rested and refreshed can seem more like a dream than a reality. While deadlines, to-do’s and racing thoughts can sometimes feel out of your control, you can create an environment—a sanctuary, in fact—that helps set the foundation for a restful night of slumber. Quality sheets, mattresses and cozy bedding is a great start, but the real MVP of good sleep is blackout curtains. The fact is, they do so much more than keep those inevitable streams of sunlight out. Check out these benefits of blackout curtains as well as our top picks.

Benefits of Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains are made from a thick and opaque material that prevents light from penetrating through the fabric. This keeps your room pitch-dark, even during the brightest hours of the day.

Beyond their light-blocking properties, blackout curtains also dampen external noises. The dense fabric acts as a sound barrier, reducing disturbances from traffic, construction, or those noisy neighbors.

Blackout curtains also offer insulation benefits, keeping your room cooler in summer and retaining warmth during winter. By maintaining a consistent temperature, they reduce the need for excessive heating or cooling. Energy cost savings for the win!

Additionally, prolonged exposure to sunlight can fade and damage furniture, flooring, and other interior elements. Blackout curtains act as a shield, blocking harmful UV rays and keeping your bedroom decor looking fresh.

The Science Behind Why Blackout Curtains Support Good Sleep

In a dark room, the production of melatonin, commonly referred to as the sleep hormone, is triggered. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that is regulated by your body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. This hormone is essential for maintaining a healthy sleep-wake cycle and promoting restful sleep.

Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland in your brain. Its production is influenced by the amount of light the body perceives. When it starts to get dark in the evening, the pineal gland begins to release melatonin into the bloodstream. This increase in melatonin levels signals to the body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.

As melatonin levels rise, the body’s temperature drops. This is when you’d typically start to feel drowsy and more relaxed. This process is part of the body’s natural sleep-wake regulation mechanism, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

In a perfect world, sleep would come easy. But artificial light from street lamps, traffic and other distractions threaten to disrupt your sleep, and that’s where blackout curtains come in.

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