Top 10 Items You Should Never Place on Your Bed

Many women have the habit of tossing their handbag on the bed simply because it's convenient. A study by British scientists revealed that handbags are among the dirtiest items you own. In fact, a handbag that isn’t regularly cleaned can be dirtier than a toilet seat! The exterior of the bag is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. It's better to hang your bag on a hook rather than leaving it on the bedside table.

Many people have the habit of casually throwing their handbag on the bed after returning home. Don’t make this mistake again. According to a UK study, handbags are one of the dirtiest items and can actually be worse than a toilet seat. The exterior of the bag harbors various bacteria from all kinds of sources. Therefore, it's best to hang your bag on a hook and regularly clean it with disinfecting wipes to protect your health.

Ensuring a good, restful sleep has numerous positive benefits for both your physical health and mental well-being. However, achieving such restful sleep isn’t just about having a good mattress, a comfortable bed, or the right lighting. It also involves factors related to your environment, including your personal health and even your feng shui.

Engaging in any mentally stimulating activity before bed, such as playing games, reading books, reading the news, or watching TV, can activate your brain and keep it working long after, causing sleep disruptions. Therefore, consider setting up a bookshelf for your favorite books instead of leaving them on the nightstand, as doing so will create clutter and foster the poor habit of reading before bed, which is far from beneficial.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global rate of sleep disorders has reached 27%. Therefore, if you’re not getting quality sleep, you might face issues like hair loss, premature aging, wrinkles, fatigue, and even more serious health conditions, which can even threaten your life. To remedy this, some people turn to sleep aids like drinking milk or smelling lavender flowers.

However, studies have shown that poor sleep and insufficient rest could actually stem from the electronics placed around your bed. All electronic devices should be kept away from your sleeping area to ensure safety, as these items emit harmful radiation that could affect your health. Moreover, forgetting to turn off electronics before going to sleep can lead to short-circuits and even fire hazards, putting your life at risk.

Most of us have the habit of placing the alarm clock on the nightstand for easy access when the alarm goes off. The sudden sound of the alarm startles you awake, which is actually not ideal. If you frequently wake up startled by the alarm, it can lead to prolonged nervous tension, causing issues like sleep disruption, high blood pressure, and nervous system strain. Therefore, it's recommended to keep your alarm clock at least 1.8 meters away from the bed.

The ticking sound of the clock is believed to interfere with falling into a deep sleep. Moreover, being frequently awakened by the alarm near the bed can create long-term chronic stress. This not only weakens your mental state but can also increase your blood pressure. Those with poor sleep quality should be cautious. Consider using a digital clock, placing it around 1.8 meters from your bed, and adjusting the volume to a moderate level. This will help improve your sleep quality and make it easier to wake up and turn off the alarm.

Many people enjoy bringing plants into their living spaces, including the bedroom. However, placing too many plants in the bedroom can actually be dangerous to your health. At night, plants stop photosynthesizing, but continue respiration, absorbing oxygen from the air and breaking down organic compounds to generate the energy they need to survive.

While it’s undeniable that plants can help purify the air and add a refreshing touch to the space, at night, they release CO2 and consume oxygen. If you place plants near your bed or have small potted plants on your bedside table, the lack of oxygen can leave you feeling fatigued, allergic, or even exacerbate asthma. This is in addition to the bacteria that may be harbored in the soil or on the leaves, which could potentially cause illness.

In feng shui, there is a strong superstition against placing mirrors near your bed. Never place a hand mirror on your bed, or position a large mirror at the head of your bed or directly facing your bed while you sleep. This can be especially unsettling for those who are sensitive or elderly, as it may cause disturbed sleep, hallucinations, anxiety, and other health problems. Studies show that 58% of Americans wish to improve the quality of their sleep, which reflects a global need for restful nights. Many factors, such as overeating, irregular sleep, or sensitivity to noise, can contribute to insomnia. One of the main causes might be improper mirror placement, which disrupts the safe and peaceful atmosphere necessary for a good night's sleep.

Mirrors can create strange reflections even when you're not focused on them. In feng shui, mirrors facing the bed are especially problematic. Experts agree that a mirror placed directly across from the bed for extended periods can weaken your personal energy and lead to sleep disturbances. This happens because mirrors double the energy they reflect, and in the bedroom, they can break the quiet necessary for restful sleep. According to researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, our eyes detect motion via neural pathways in the retina, a survival mechanism developed by our ancestors to avoid predators.

Many women enjoy placing stuffed animals on their bed, both for decoration and because their softness provides comfort during sleep. However, these items often carry a significant amount of static electricity, which attracts dust and potentially harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, posing a risk to your health. It’s best to avoid having plush toys in your bedroom and especially not to hug them while sleeping!

Similar to pets, stuffed animals are prime breeding grounds for bacteria and germs. Additionally, the synthetic fibers and dyes used in these toys can cause allergic reactions, conjunctivitis, skin infections, rashes, or respiratory issues. To keep these items clean, wash them weekly in hot water (60°C) to remove dirt and parasites. Using dust-resistant bedding and opting for natural materials like cotton or wool can also help minimize exposure to harmful microorganisms.

Animal lovers often keep at least one pet to keep them company every day, and many even sleep with their pets. Recent studies show that some pet owners wake up at least once during the night when sharing their bed with their animals. Furthermore, allowing your pet on the bed exposes you to bacteria and fungi that may be lurking in their fur. Even if you maintain daily hygiene for your pet, safety can still be compromised, and allergies may follow.

Dogs, in particular, always want to be near their owners, even while sleeping. Deciding whether or not to let your dog sleep on the bed is an important consideration, as it can lead to bad habits, especially in stubborn dogs. For puppies, it’s best to let them sleep in their crate or on a bed near yours. Puppies need clear rules and guidance, so they can learn proper behavior. Once they become well-behaved, you can ease up on the restrictions.

Electronic devices, especially phones, should be kept away from you while sleeping as exposure to light and radiation at night can negatively affect your health. Additionally, charging your phone overnight presents fire and electrical hazards. Keeping your phone on the bed can disrupt your sleep with notifications and calls, and the radiation and electromagnetic waves emitted by the device are not health-friendly either.

After a long day, particularly one spent in front of a computer or TV, your eyes need a rest. Keeping your phone close to the bed may tempt you into checking it mindlessly or scrolling through social media before sleep. This leads to headaches, dry eyes, and impaired vision. Using your phone in a dimly lit environment can strain your eyes even further, especially when you're in bed with the lights off.

Many people enjoy snacking in bed while watching movies or listening to music, but falling asleep without cleaning up can invite pests and bacteria to infest your bedding and body, leading to health issues. Therefore, it’s best to stop this habit if you want to avoid encountering mice or roaches frequently. Eating in bed often leads to distraction, and you may end up consuming more food than usual. While watching a movie or a show, you may find yourself mindlessly snacking, causing weight gain and the potential for obesity over time.

Even a small spill of food on the bed can attract ants or roaches. No matter how quickly you clean up, ants will still follow the scent trail to your bed. Moreover, the leftover food particles create an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mold. For this reason, it is essential to clean, change bedding, and wash sheets regularly to protect both your health and skin. Eating in bed can also affect your mental well-being, especially if you eat too close to bedtime. The food still in your stomach can cause digestive strain, disrupting your sleep and leading to restlessness throughout the night.