All About Sleep

Importance of Sleep

Sleep is an important element of human flourishing and well-being, both subjectively and objectively. Sleep is necessary for a healthy and balanced life. We need to sleep long enough (quantity) and well enough(quality) to function well during waking hours. Nearly all physiological and behavioral functions in humans occur on a rhythmic basis, which in turn leads to dramatic diurnal rhythms in human performance capabilities.   Most adults need around eight hours of sleep to function well. Although many people claim they require less, doctors who study sleep find only 10% require significantly more or less sleep. Recent findings indicate that the chronic lack of sleep and untreated sleep disorders may be factors in the development of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes.

Why do we sleep?

 Why did Mother Nature make us need to sleep every night?  Physiologically, sleep has several functions. It is an active process during which biochemical and neurobiology functions take place. Contrary to popular belief, the brain does not "shutdown" during sleep. Sleep may be a way of recharging the brain.  One idea is that it is a time for accelerated repair of neurons and to exercise important neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate due to lack of activity. Sleep appears necessary for our nervous systems to work properly. Too little sleep leaves us drowsy and unable to concentrate the next day. It also leads to impaired memory and physical performance and reduced ability to carry out math calculations. If sleep deprivation continues, hallucinations and mood swings may develop. Without sleep, neurons may become so depleted in energy or so polluted with by products of normal cellular activities that they begin to malfunction. We typically spend more than two hours each night dreaming.  Only during the 1950s when researchers first described rapid eye movement (REM) did scientists begin to carefully study sleep and dreaming. They soon realized that the strange, illogical experiences we call dreams almost always occur during REM sleep.There are typically five stages of sleep during a normal night's cycle. Diagnostic tools, from X rays and electroencephalograms(EEG) to CAT scans and NMR imaging, revolutionized procedures, diagnoses, and treatments of sleep disorders in the latter half of the 20th century. Likewise, advances are occurring at an unprecedented rate in the 21st century and scientists are learning more and more about sleep all the time. Scientists still have an inadequate understanding of the physiology of sleep and the pathology of sleep disorders. Further, although neurodegenerative diseases associated with abnormal sleep, nobody knows if there is a cause-and-effect in place, and if so, which way it runs.

Sleep for HealthAccording to National Institutes of Health, "sleep and sleep-related problems play a role in a large number of human disorders and affect almost every field of medicine....At least 40 million Americans each year suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders each year, and an additional 20 million experience occasional sleeping problems."  Factors to consider in assessing sleep include sleep disturbance,

• sleep adequacy, somnolence, quantity of sleep, snoring, and awakening short of breath or with a headache.
• About one-third of Americans have symptoms of insomnia but less than 10% of those cases are identified by their doctors. Sleep deficit has become one for the most pervasive health problems facing the United States.
• Insomnia, can result in case accidents and industrial mishaps. Other common sleep disorders include apnea, chronic snoring, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome.
• Even if you don't have a true sleep disorder, you can improve your sleep habits and enjoy the benefits of better sleep.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving leads to more than 100,000 motor vehicle crashes per year in the United States. Even small disruptions in sleep can wreak havoc on human safety and performance.
• Sleep is important for athletic performance, as shown in scientific studies and in anecdotal evidence.

Sleep Well!

Sleep and Obesity

There are some alarming statistics out there: 2 out of 3 Americans are considered obese according to the Centers for Disease Control. Let's take a few minutes and explore some of the reasons for this statistics.
Much of it is common sense. 100 years ago, there were no lights, few cars, and generally people moved much more than the lifestyle of the modern America. Simply put our level of activity is much less than it was in the past. Whether it is sitting in front of computers, or just couch potato time on our days off, coupled with increased stress of constant communication and the never ending job day, we just don't as a nation, get enough activity. Health clubs are booming, with some people waking at early morning hours to 'work out' because that is the only time they can.
Enter problem number 2, lack of sleep. Since the invention of the light bulb, and the subsequent wiring of our nation, we have been getting much less sleep. It is down from almost 9 hours at the turn of the last century (1900) to 7 or less today. Because of obesity, an estimated 18 million Americans experience sleep apnea. Sleep apnea infringes on what sleep we do get. Just a 10% decrease in body weight can lead to a lessening of the severity of sleep apnea.
Our bodies have an internal clock that can't really be cheated, with out consequences, like obesity. Stress on our bodies causes it to retain fat, a natural reaction built into our DNA. It is a crazy circle, we are fatter, which causes us to sleep less soundly, which makes us fatter. We need to break the circle, to get healthier and more productive within the current socialital culture we find ourselves in, because we can't really change that on a massive scale.

First, we believe the most important first step is to improve our sleep. We need to care for any thing like sleep apnea that may be robbing us of vital sleep. Sometimes it is important to consult a medical professional, especially in extreme cases. There are treatments that can lessen sleep apnea's affect on our sleep. There is also something to say about our sleep surface. Sleep Apnea can be helped if you maintain a positive air flow through positive posture. Our beds can augment other medical devices and improve your sleep, making it more productive. More productive sleep will encourage more waking activity, which can improve obesity. Keeping a consistent schedule will also help. Put sleep on your calendar at the same time every day.

Controlling the amount and quality of our sleep will help break the circle. A quality sleep surface like a Comfortaire mattress can help.

Secondly, it is important to watch your waking life, heating healthy, and of course exercise will be the second leg of attack against the national scourge of obesity.

We welcome you to our store to explore the options of better sleep, whether it is due to obesity, or any other cause, we want to help. We believe we have more options to improve sleep than any other store in town.

Sleep Well!

Want to Sleep Better?

It is once again time for a shameless commercial for our business.  The business is how we continue to write these blogs.  So visit Hannah's Better Beds either on the web or in person.  We are located in Chesterfield, MO, part of the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area at Olive Blvd and Woodsmill Road.  We specialize in Comfortaire, and we are the Largest Comfortaire Exclusive Dealer in Missouri.  We have more Comfortaire choices for you to test out than any other store we have found.  Comfortaire mattresses were introduced in 1981.  As part of Park Place Mattress Co., Comfortaire has the staying power to back your purchase for years to come.  Park Place was founded by the Orders Family in the 1930's, and today is still a family run business located in South Carolina. 

Comfortaire has recently received a Certipur Certification for many of their products.  Certipur is voluntary certification with two sides.  Side one is a commitment to constantly self certify that the components off gas minimally (very strict off gassing requirements), this ensures that your bed does not have any chemicals that are deemed harmful.  Comfortaire certifies that there are no CFCs or ozone depleters in our foams or adhesives. Further, Comfortaire does not process foams or adhesives with dichloromathane, n-propl bromide, BHT Polyol Additives, or PBDE additives.  The second side is voluntary independent laboratory testing to back up the internal certifications.  All of this makes sure your new Comfortaire bed is safe from harmful chemicals.  Look for the CertiPUR-US tag when you shop for a bed.  If you would like to learn more, you may visit CertiPUR on the web.

Now about Hannah's.  Hannah's was founded two years ago.  Our mission is to help people sleep better.  That's why we don't offer products that would impede sleep.  There are others out there who will import compressed mattresses from China, only because they are cheap, and they can move a lot of them.  We stand behind our product, we want you to be happy.  Comfortaire produces among the longest lasting beds available today.  They do this two ways, quality materials, and modular engineering.  There is no reason your Comfortaire bed can't last as long as you want it to, the components are high quality, and if those components ever fail there is a 20 year limited warranty, and even outside the warranty, individual components can be replaced.  The only reason to buy a new bed is to upgrade to newer fabrics, technology, or materials.  Because of this, we rely on our customers to tell their friends, neighbors, and relatives about their experiences with Comfortaire, and Hannah's. 

Hannah's promises to be what we have labeled "econocentric".  What that means is that we will source products as close to St. Louis as we can.  If a quality line of products, like our pillows are manufactured here, we want them in our store.  Next we love our home state, Missouri.  Leggett and Platt in Carthage, MO is our preferred vendor for adjustable bases.  If a product is not available in Missouri, then the Midwest like mattress protectors from a Chicago company called Protect-A-Bed, and then our country, the United States, Comfortaire manufactures the mattresses in South Carolina.  If after all that, the products are not available, then we will look overseas.

We think that makes sense, we want to help the local economy first, and keep some of our neighbors employed so they can experience a great nights sleep.  

We also want to be different.  Up until now, there have been two types of Mattress Stores.  Those that will do everything they can to capture information, to use it to telemarket you as many times as they can, trying to get your business; and those who have clerks who will pressure you while in the store trying to get you to buy.  We know how phone calls interrupt your life.  WE WILL NOT DO THAT, IN FACT, UNLESS IT IS TO RETURN A CALL FROM YOU, OR CONFIRM A DELIVERY APPOINTMENT YOU WILL NEVER HAVE YOUR PHONE RING FROM US.  We are however, at your service, we want you to call us with questions, our number is (314)205-1166.  Whether it is about your bed, bedding accessories, or sleep issues; we are here for you.  We regularly shop around, and there are a lot of great products at many stores available to you.  If we don't have it, or can't get it, we will refer you to someplace that may be able to help, even if that is our biggest competitor.  It's simple customer service.

Sleep Well!

Insomnia, a cure?

There are too many people to count who suffer from chronic insomnia.  And as with other problems of health, you would expect to find someone who is promoting a cure for it.  Too often these 'cures' lack scientific study, and as the snake oil of yesteryear, are more concerned with taking your money.  That being said, there is some research out there that suggests there is at times a deficiency in vitamins and minerals can affect sleep.

Calcium and magnesium can help relax the nervous system, so strategically taking these minerals after supper can help promote sleep, and of course they are the building blocks of other parts of our body, so it may be worth a try.

Vitamin B6 and B12 are mentioned in several places.  Vitamin B6 can help your body make serotonin which is a regulator of sleep.  B12 deficiency can cause some sleep issues.  The B vitamins do have a maximum recommended amount, so pay attention to how much you take.

Of course your doctor can suggest, based on his working with you and testing the best course of action.  We prefer to try more natural things first, but there is a point when chemicals are the only answer left.  What ever solve the insomnia problem, it is important to solve it.  Sleep has a major impact on quality of life.

Sleep Well!

Just Do Something

If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep.

 ~Dale Carnegie

Our last post was a quote from Ben Franklin.  It inspired us, so we searched for more quotes.  The above quote is from Dale Carnegie, a little more contemporary to our times.  And it is absolutely true.  There are times in our lives when we suffer insomnia.  Insomnia can be a health nightmare, at times it seems almost incurable, and to those who suffer it, it can be scary.

Thing is, insomnia is a natural reaction to stress or danger.  Our minds are telling us we may be in danger if we lose our alertness.  Sometimes, that feeling is over stated.  There are times when insomnia actually can keep us alive, it is the other times that are much more frustrating.  Those are also the times when we need to root it out and end it.  Lack of sleep over long periods can devastate our well being and health.

The key is to figure out what is causing the insomnia.  It can come from various sources like mental stress at work or home, or even from drugs we are taking whether via prescription or street drugs.  The point is to figure out what is causing the insomnia, and repair it. 

If it is mental stress the cure is eliminating the source.  That does not mean quitting a job or leaving home, but figuring out the underlying problems and dealing with them.  If it is at work, perhaps talking to a manager or coworker can put things into perspective, thereby eliminating the source.  If at home talk to your spouse or parents again to find the underlying problem and fixing it.  Sometimes in some cases perhaps a counselor would be helpful, help is what you need to solve the problem.  If you can't seem to fix it yourself, please seek out a professional.

If it is chemical, seek medical help.  If a prescription is keeping you awake, talk to your doctor and let them know about the problem.  See if there are ways to deal with it or different medicines that might work as well and bypass the problem.  If it is illegal drugs, STOP.  If you can't, talk to your doctor and get clean.  Save your life now, before it is too late. 

For more common insomnia, what Mr. Carnegie suggests is great advise.  If it is not chronic, and you find you can't sleep, get up.  Do something, just try to do something that will help you relax and set the mood for sleep.  Light reading, sitting in a comfy chair with a bit of decaffeinated, non alcoholic beverage might be useful.  Meditation or stretching might also help. Try to stay in dim light to allow your body to prime your sleep.  Try to avoid sleep aids, some will not do anything but knock you out, and their presence may impact your moving through the sleep cycles which is very important.  At times it becomes a cycle, we can sleep so we worry about it, then the worry keeps us from sleeping.  Break the cycle, get the proper amount and quality of sleep. 

Perhaps it is your sleep environment, even your bed.  Our business promotes healthy sleep by providing great beds.  Our hope is that you sleep well, to live a long happy life.

Sleep Well!

Ben Knew

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Benjamin Franklin
US author, diplomat, inventor, physicist, politician, & printer (1706 - 1790)

Ben Franklin, one of the wisest Americans, got it:  Sleep is good!  If you have read our previous blogs, you would see us promoting regular sleep patterns, and getting enough sleep. 

It was easier in the 1700's, the electric light bulb didn't exist.  TV didn't exist.  The Internet didn't exist.  There were no smart phones.  Life was a bit less hectic.  When the sun went down, most people went to sleep.  Oh there was Paul Revere who rode at night, and there was some activity.  But that activity was put in perspective.  The important things in life were just that, and sleep was important.  Let's dissect this saying.

Early to bed:  To make sure you get the proper amount of sleep, and remember, with no electricity, there were no clock radios, they would arise when their bodies were ready, or a noise would startle them.  Going to bed early insured that they would get enough sleep.

Early to rise:  Because they went to bed early, they would naturally wake with the sun.  Having a full days sunlight insured maximum productivity.  Maximum productivity could help move their lives along, out performing others who did not get up so early.

Makes a man Healthy:  Yes sleep does influence health.  In our modern day we have looked at sleep deprivation and found some of its detrimental effects on our bodies.  The stress caused by too little sleep can cause obesity, lower immune function and lower productivity.  Proper amounts of sleep reverses this, and we find ourselves more likely to exercise, less sick time, and higher productivity.

Wealthy:  Yes, its still true today.  Productivity is tied directly to wealth.  The most productive people in our society generally will also be the wealthiest.  It is simple economics, of course talent is important, but having the proper amount of sleep will make us....

Wise:  With wisdom comes ability.  Wisdom allows us to work smarter, like tying a key to a kite and exploring science of electricity.  It is wisdom that ties back to productivity and produces wealth.  Wisdom is something most of our founders had in abundant amounts.

In our hectic 24 hour world, we have sometimes forgotten that sleep is important.  Sometimes we even raise people up on a pedestal who can sleep less.  Less sleep will not insure higher productivity.  Less sleep can harm our career paths.  Less sleep can hurt our pocket book.  Not to mention that America today has an obesity problem, we wonder if it is because we don't sleep enough.  We are living longer today.  In the 1700's life expectancy was just 35 years, medicine has expanded that considerably.  And now its our turn, by taking care of ourselves, we can enhance the quality of that life.  Its the only wise thing to do.

Sleep Well!

Sleep Friendly Bedrooms

So you need to get some Zs.  One way to improve your sleep time is to have a sleep friendly bed room.  But what is a sleep friendly bedroom?

If you live on a busy street, or there is a barking dog in the neighborhood, it can disrupt your sleep.  We can't move our bed room off the street, so what do we do?  Insulated drapes, wall insulation, noise deadening materials can all help.  There is also white noise, which can mask the bad noise we need to avoid.  White noise can be generated with a fan, its hum may be enough to drown out the offending noises.  You could tune a radio between stations to generate a consistent hum.  Or there are white noise generators available for sale.  What ever works for you is important, because noise can disrupt the sleep cycle.  Also be sure to turn off computers and phones so their alerts do not interrupt the sleep cycle.

Sounds are one disruptive sleep destroyer, but there are more.  Light is an issue as well.  Our bodies regulate our sleep cycle partially with the sun.  That is why when darkness hits, we tend to get sleepy.  Having too much light in your bedroom can cause your body to assume its day light, and disrupt the sleep cycle.  Things like computer monitors, TVs, cell phones can all put off light in sufficient quantity to affect sleep.  Curtains can keep external light out, turn off screens at night to maximize healthy sleep.

To that end, reserve your bed room for sleep and sex.  Try not to turn it into a communication center or home theater.  Use other rooms for that.  Charge cell phones away from the bedroom, if you must have a computer or TV in the bedroom, make sure it is turned off at least a half hour before you intend to sleep.  Besides, by removing clutter, it will make the room more attractive, and less dangerous to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Friendly bedrooms are cool, no really, the bedroom temperature is important as well.  The generally accepted sleep temperature is 65 degrees.  Bedrooms that are too hot or cold can disrupt the sleep cycle.  Make sure there is adequate ventilation as well.

Sleep in a comfortable bed.  Your bed should be large enough to be able to turn easily.  It should support, but support does not mean hard.  Your bed should contour to your body, maintaining proper spinal alignment, or posture.  70% of the market sleeps on an innerspring bed.  Innerspring beds should be replaced every 7 to 10 years.  The springs will wear out causing the surface to not offer the best support.  If you consistently awake with lower back pain, and there is no medical reason for it, your bed is probably worn out.  There are other types of beds that you may want to consider.  From the 1960's we have the water bed, from the 1980's we have foam, and air supported technologies.  Try them all, as we age we should look for better support, to help our body sleep better, to improve our overall well being and health.  Here is the shameless commercial, but this blog is sponsored by a business that supplies Comfortaire beds, which we believe are the best available sleep system, check it out here.

And try to establish a sleep ritual.  Find activities that help your body wind down, and your brain as well.  a few minutes of soft music, a warm bath, or even meditation can help.  If you sleep better, you will experience better well being.  You might find yourself more productive when awake, and it can even help your fitness routine be more effective.

All this from just a sleep friendly bed room, is it worth the try?

Sleep Well!