In partnership with
🌙 The Brief
Here’s something wild: the average person falls asleep 12 minutes faster in a tidy room than a messy one.
Twelve minutes doesn’t sound like much — until you multiply it by a week’s worth of nights.
That’s nearly an extra hour and a half of sleep every seven days, just from clearing visual clutter.
Your brain processes every visible object as potential “unfinished business.” That stack of laundry? To-do. The pile of books? Decision. The mail on the dresser? Reminder. Each one is a micro-task that keeps your mind slightly on guard, even when you’re trying to rest.
I used to brush this off as “aesthetic guilt,” but once I cleared my nightstand (book, lamp, water glass — that’s it), I noticed the difference immediately. My eyes relaxed faster, my thoughts slowed sooner, and falling asleep stopped feeling like work.
🧠 The Fix
Cognitive load research shows that excess visual stimuli increase mental fatigue and slow the transition into alpha brainwaves — the calm, pre-sleep state.
When your environment feels unresolved, your brain resists shutting down.
The solution isn’t a minimalist overhaul. It’s containment. Baskets, trays, drawers — anything that hides visual noise and tells your brain “we’re done for the day.”
💤 Try This Tonight
Spend five minutes decluttering your sleep zone:
Clear your nightstand.
Fold or move anything sitting on your bed.
Close the closet door.
Then turn off one overhead light. Your room (and your mind) will both exhale.
✨ Small Upgrade
Product: Yamazaki Home Space Saving Vanity Tray
A minimalist bin that tucks under your nightstand to corral books, cords, or random kid toys. Out of sight, out of stress — and just the right size for a cleaner night’s sleep.Sleep smarter,
Bri
P.S. If you usually work out late — tell me: do you notice it affects your sleep? I might feature some replies next week.
If you work in fintech or finance, you already have too many tabs open and not enough time.
Fintech Takes is the free newsletter senior leaders actually read. Each week, we break down the trends, deals, and regulatory moves shaping the industry — and explain why they matter — in plain English.
No filler, no PR spin, and no “insights” you already saw on LinkedIn eight times this week. Just clear analysis and the occasional bad joke to make it go down easier.
Get context you can actually use. Subscribe free and see what’s coming before everyone else.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor — just sharing research and practical tips. Always talk with your healthcare provider before making big changes to your sleep or health routines. Some links I share may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them (at no extra cost to you).