Artificial light can be highly disruptive to biological patterns such as sleep, which is critical to our health on many levels. http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/ART02755.

 One of the most important factors in creating an optimal bedroom environment is complete darkness, which can be difficult to achieve with a city’s abundant ambient streetlight. I often specify lined drapery in helping to create a womb-like (as well as soundproof and cool) sleeping den. But please make certain your blackout lining is not made of vinyl, a material that has health risks associated with it. There are plenty of non-vinyl curtains to choose from, so be sure to avoid PVC in your blackout curtain. Another tip in creating a peaceful mood is placing all lights on dimmers, and now that vast improvements have been made on Compact Fluorescent Lamps, you don’t need to sacrifice ambience for environmentalism. Light some candles (healthy versions of course in beeswax or soy), and viola - a Zen Den perfect for getting those well needed zzzz’s.

 Besides incorporating practical design solutions I always like to infuse some magic with the mundane!

Cultivating even a basic awareness of the moon cycles we (women especially) can work with powerful lunar energy. New Moons are a time to bring in the new: intentions, projects, goals, while Full Moons are the perfect time to celebrate the success of those goals ~ howling is always encouraged!

 http://www.fwhc.org/health/moon.htm

http://moonwomenspirituality.com/3moon.html

 I believe that understanding and protecting our rapidly vanishing nighttime environment is an important endeavor.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/geopedia/Light_Pollution

http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do

We’ve come a long way from my childhood camping days, where seeing stars was taken for granted. Our dark skies are becoming so precious that there are now luxury travel destinations to experience them!

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/intelligenttravel/2008/12/dark-sky-destinations-tk.html

http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/502771

 If you do find yourself stuck in New York City, you can at least stargaze virtually at the Museum Of Natural History’s Rose Center http://www.amnh.org/rose/ which has the most technologically advanced space theater in the world (and some really rocking parties once a month at One Step Beyond).

 There is no denying we are all ‘star stuff’, and like Sting says, ‘Bring on the Night’…
~ Cheryl Terrace, VITALDESIGNLTD.COM, cheryl@vitaldesignltd.com