🛌🏿I heard it’s National Bed Month (March)….How can I improve my sleep
Yes indeed this is a real thing, one of the most important things we need in life is sleep.
Unfortunately, some often underestimate its importance and the product we use to get the best sleep we can…
OUR BEDS!!!
Some neglect to buy new mattresses and pillows others don’t get the correct mattresses or pillows. (yes there are types for different people to optimise your sleep)
One of the most common reasons for not having our beds optimised is “I don’t want to spend money on it right now”
Oh just a bit of history National Bed Month has been celebrated every March since 1990 and is dedicated to improving your sleep
With that bit of info, I will leave some tips on how to potentially improve your sleep.
Tip 1 - Technology
Oh yes, mobile phones, televisions, tablets & even our smart wearables can keep you distracted and awake when you should be getting ready to sleep.
In this generation our tech is great but when it comes to sleep, it’s probably one of your worst enemies.
One major issue that most screen technology has with disrupting your sleep is the Blue Light that most of the emit.
I will go deeper into this another time but in short Blue Light keeps your brain alert and awake.
Do yourself a favour and keep tech out of the bedroom until you wake up in the morning. (A Digital Detox you might call it)
Tip 2 - Mattress
A mattress should make you feel comfortable, support the natural curvature of your spine and not make you feel too warm as you sleep.
Most importantly for most, it should fit your budget.
Research says for most people a medium-firm mattress would improve your quality of sleep.
“oh but when should I change my mattress?
Below is a list of mattress life expectancies
Innerspring mattress lasts about 5 years (Chrome & Nickle plating can last a bit longer)
Foam mattress last about 7-10 years (Gel Foam a bit longer)
Latex Mattress can last up to 8-12 years
Hybrid Mattress can last up to 5-7 years (longer if looked after)
You should look at changing your mattress when it starts sagging, shows indentations and when you feel discomfort
Tip 3 - Bedding
“oh wait there’s nothing wrong with my pillows or duvet and had them for years, they’re FINE!!”
Depending on how long you’ve had them, they may or may not be fine.
Pillows should be changed every year or two and should be washed every three to four months
Yes washed we remember to wash our covers but some forget to was the pillows and duvets
This isn’t just for freshness but also good for your health
Duvet should be changed every five to six years and should be washed along with your pillows
Slightly off topic; if you want to feel productive after a good night’s rest simply make your bed in the morning
Yes, this simple act gets your day started with positive productivity and guess what…?
When you are ready to go to bed a night you will have this nicely made bed that a very productive person made in the morning.
Tip 4 - Reading a Book
“Didn’t you just say technology detox, how am I supposed to read anything?”
You know that strange square object that comes in hard or softback with loads of pages and printed text….?
Read that!!
Parents know you read a child a bedtime story then eventually its lights out for them.
Okay sometimes they want another story and that could have been because the story was exciting and engaging
The same goes for you grown-ups who read something calm and relaxing and eventually, you will wake up with a book in your face (after a good night’s sleep)
That’s it for now, hope this can help some of you enjoy your beds and that thing we all enjoy…SLEEP!