A good night's sleep is essential to a healthy lifestyle. It affects all aspects of your day - from how you feel, to your relationships, productivity, and ultimately, your quality of life. While you sleep, your brain goes to work, consolidating the day's learning into memory and re-energizing the body. The average individual requires 7-8 hours of sleep per night, while others need much less.
BETTER SLEEP BEGINS WITH YOUR MATTRESS.
your mattress has the potential to make or break a good night's sleep. If you're tossing and turning at night or if you're waking up feeling stiff in the morning, it could be a sign that your current mattress is no longer the best for you. Your body appreciates a comfortable, supportive mattress and will let you know if what you're sleeping on is not up to the task.
HERE ARE 10 TIPS TO HELP YOU SLEEP BETTER.
* Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule, including weekends.
* Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine.
* Create a sleep conductive environment.
* Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillow.
* Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex. It's best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the sleeping environment.
* Finish eating at least two to three hours before your regular bedtime.
* Exercise regularly. It's best to complete your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.
* Avoid nicotine (e.g. cigarettes, tobacco products) close to bedtime, it can lead to poor sleep.
* Avoid caffeine (e.g. coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate) close to bedtime. It can keep you awake.
* Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. It can lead to disrupted sleep later in the night.
How to Buy a Mattress
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A MATTRESS.
You spend more time on your bed than any other piece of furniture in your home. That's why it's so important to find the mattress that's right for you. To determine the mattress that's best for you.
COMFORT
Gone are the days when a mattress had to be stiff-as-a-board to be good for you. and it's interesting to note that recent studies suggest that a medium-firm mattress is more likely to improve back pain that a firm mattress. Today's top quality mattresses combine new cushioning materials and extra-soft surface treatments to create a more plush, comfortable feel.
SUPPORT
Correct support is the essential ingredient for a healthy body. A good mattress and foundation will gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in alignment. Pay special attention to your shoulders, hips and lower back. If there's too little support, you can develop back pain. But if the mattress is too hard for you, you can experience uncomfortable pressure.
DURABILITY
It's the quality of materials used and how they are put together that determine how long a mattress and box spring will provide proper comfort and support. The best assurance of good performance over many years is to buy the highest quality sleep set you can afford. Don't look to the warranty to tell you how long to keep your mattress and box spring. The warranty is there to protect you from product defects, not against the gradual loss of comfort and support. Keep in mind that while a sleep set may still be usable after many years, it's probably not giving you the good night's sleep you deserve.
MATTRESS SIZE
Cramped quarters can turn sleeping into a nightly wrestling match. A healthy sleeper moves anywhere from 40-60 times a night, including some dozen full body turns. You need freedom of motion while you sleep and to help you relax while you're falling asleep. If you sleep with a partner, be sure to select a queen or king size bed. both are not only wider, but several inches longer than a standard "double", which offer each sleeper only as much space as a baby crib.
Mattress Size Chart
Mattress Care
With proper care your new mattress will provide years of comfort and support. Following is a general guideline for mattress care.
* Latex, visco and one-sided mattresses should be rotated every 3 months.
* Rotate box spring every 3 months.
* Use a quality bed frame. To avoid structural
damage and voiding of your warranty, queen and
king size units must also be used with a rigid
center support leg or bed slats.
* Do not get the mattress wet.
* Keep your mattress clean by using a protective mattress pad.
* Do not use an iron or apply excessive heat to your mattress.
* Vacuuming is the only recommended method of cleaning your mattress.
* If you need to remove a stain, use a mild soap and cold water; apply lightly, never use a dry cleaning fluid as those chemicals may cause damage.
