Your bedside table arguably works harder than any other surface in your bedroom. It's where you place your bedtime book, mug of tea, or a thoughtful trinket or plant that gives you joy – but all too often, this space can end up cluttered and chaotic.
To Feng Shui experts, though, it's not the visual noise that's the problem, per se. Instead, there's one category of items they urge you must remove from your bedside table this April: Electronics.
It's not just about curating a more serene sleep space, either. Doing so can also help you to sleep better, by supporting deeper rest, and helping to make both falling asleep and waking in the morning easier.
Why You Should Remove Electronics From Your Bedside Table This April
As Beverly Biehl, Founder of The Intuitive Interior, says, most bedside tables have room for a lamp, a book, lip balm, a glass of water, and perhaps a dream journal, such as the JUBTIC Dream Journal, available at Amazon. But, she warns, 'All too many now host a laptop, an e-reader, and at least one phone.
'The e-reader isn't connected to the internet, so it can stay, but the laptop and the phone – especially the phone – must find a new place to live overnight.'
She explains that the main reason for this, in terms of Feng Shui, is that they are energetically noisy. 'All of that WiFi-connecting and text and email pinging literally acts as miniature finger-pokes, trying to get your attention when you are attempting to sleep,' and making it far more difficult to fall asleep fast.
'Even with the Do Not Disturb feature turned on, many will still notice when someone texts. The intended signal is still there, even while muted. WiFi works when there is a constant back and forth with the cell towers, and texts and emails are another form of this electronic back and forth. Our bodies, being largely electrical processors, get overheated when exposed to this for hours at a time.'
This isn't so much of a problem during the day. As Beverly adds, we can cool off by getting up to use the bathroom, grabbing a snack, or walking outside.
'At night, though, we are supposed to be sleeping for eight hours at a stretch,' she advises. 'If we have all of this electrical activity happening, our brain still overheats, even as it's trying to process all of the information it downloaded during the day. It takes a lot of energy to sort, sift, and decide what to keep and what to file away or purge!
'This is why most people sleep better in a cooler environment after all. So when we have these highly 'yang' items next to us, we add heat just at the moment when our body and brain need 'yin,' and don't get me started about how much yang a television in the bedroom adds! Yikes!'
Beverly isn't the only Feng Shui consultant to feel strongly about electronics in the bedroom space, either, and why they're certainly items to never store on your nightstand.
Katherine Troyer, Feng Shui Expert and Home Energetics Practitioner at My Home Energetics, adds, 'From a Feng Shui and nervous system perspective, the bedside area should support deep rest and a gentle transition into the day.
'Phones introduce constant stimulation and subtly signal alertness, even when they are silent. When the first thing you see in the morning is a screen, your brain immediately shifts into information-processing mode rather than body awareness.'
What to Do Instead
Fortunately, the fix is simple. 'The solution is the creation of a bedtime ritual for your phone and laptop, and any other Wi-Fi-enabled device,' advises Beverly. 'Offer them a recharging station of their own, so they feel honored and respected,' though keep this out of the bedroom, of course, and give them a 'good wipe-down with a cleaning cloth, just as you wash your own face.' The MSTJRY Charging Station, available at Amazon, is a well-reviewed pick.
Additionally, Beverly suggests using an analog clock radio that has a battery backup to make sure you don't miss your alarm. The ROBERTS Revival Rest Bluetooth Clock Radio, available at Selfridges, is currently top of my wish list.
'Give up the idea that your bed is a good office to do your work from,' continues Beverly. 'It's not. You end up with terrible posture, back pain, and zero sleep hygiene. Creating a yin space is best achieved when the space is dark, cool, and uncluttered, especially under the bed if possible,' which will also help you to avoid falling foul to the popular underbed storage habit that's the leading cause of hidden mattress mold.
'I also recommend keeping a glass of water beside the bed,' adds Katherine. 'Instead of reaching for notifications, you begin the day by giving something back to your body.'
What to Shop
Creating a sleep space that welcomes deep rest is more important than just banishing electronics from your nightstand.
Below, you can shop my six sleep essentials for getting a great night's sleep, every night:
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This charging station allows you to charge up to 10 devices at once, but never do so when leaving it unattended. It also keeps all your electronics neatly organized, and features sturdy, durable slots.
This beautiful notebook makes the perfect addition to any bedside table space, for journaling before bed or in the morning when you wake up. It has 100 pages, so there's plenty of space for writing and doodling.
This affordable alarm clock features a chic, vintage, classic design, with a modern quartz movement hidden inside, so you won't be kept awake by ticking, but will always wake up when your alarm sounds in the morning.
Upgrade your nightly glass of water with this stylish carafe and drinking glass, which is crafted from crystal. It's handwash only – just avoid using the scourer side of the sponge as it may scratch.
These electronic wipes are available in a pack of 25, and are suitable for TVs, phones, and other electronics, delivering a streak-free shine and safely removing dust, fingerprints, and smudges.
Swap out your electronics for a warm, calming salt lamp – I've had and used mine in my bedroom for years, and love turning it on as I wind down before sleep with a mug of herbal tea and the book I'm currently reading.
Meet the Experts
'Finding ways to sleep better is a series of experiments,' says Beverly. 'Have fun with it, and notice what works and what doesn't. Then do more of what works!'
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