Winter and Sleep

Each season brings new variables to our sleep.  We are in what I call the dead of winter now, and winter is no different.  Our bodies react to our environment.  Winter brings shorter, grayer days which can impact our circadian rhythms.

The gray days make us sleepy in the morning, and at 5 PM when darkness hits, our bodies start to shut down.  We do have some advantages in our modern era, primarily the electric light bulb.  We can simulate a longer day, but most bulbs do not simulate full spectrum sunlight, so it is still not quite the same, but every little bit helps.  Shorter days encourages us to be some what less active, which again plays into the sleepiness we find during the day.

The key to thriving in winter is to stick to a daily schedule, perhaps winter is the most important time to do that.  By sticking to our schedules we will find ourselves sleeping better and productively.  By sticking to our schedules we will find just a little more energy to live our lives to the fullest.  And perhaps the commercials that always pop up in February or March, you know, the ones that remind us that beach season is right around the corner, how will you look in your swim suit?  Maybe they won't mean anything to us...

A consistent schedule is for 24 hours.  We should try to wake at the same time every day, including days off.  We should strive to go to bed at a set time.  Then we will offer our bodies the environment that they need to sleep well.  Probably would be a good thing to find things that can keep us active, if you have kids or grand kids I'm sure they can help!  If not regular gym visits, because it's cold outside are good ways to help off set the short days of winter.  Be sure to eat light as well, with the encouraged inactivity of the winter months, it is a time when we can gain a few pounds, which can impact sleep.

And now, it is incumbent on me to at least mention our business.  We do this as a public service, but the business is what gives us that opportunity.  We sell beds.  And not just any beds, but Comfortaire Air adjustable mattresses.  And Comfortaire can help you to sleep better in this winter season.  The lush bamboo toppers, the cuddly foam comfort materials will encourage deep sleep.  And the adjustable nature of the Comfortaire bed means that as your life changes, your bed can match.  And the last plug, our beds just last longer.  There are no springs to where out, and the modular design means you can replace parts and keep your bed feeling like news well past the limited 20 year warranty.  Comfortaire says: For the rest of your life... Which is a double entendre, rest as in sleep and rest as in all your life.  If you are thinking a new bed, please consider us and Comfortaire!  You can visit our web site by clicking here.

Sleep Well!

Do I Need an Adjustable Bed?

There are two basic reasons one would need an Adjustable bed.  The first is for health.  The second is for luxury.   Today we would like to talk about this specialized segment of the bed industry.  And just how an adjustable bed might help you.

Let's look at each reason independently.  The first is for health.  How can an adjustable bed help your health?  There have been polls and research done that point to adjustable beds helping certain people.  If you suffer fibromyalgia, an adjustable bed can allow you to sleep in a "zero gravity" position.  This position will help to spread your body mass over the top of the bed alleviating some of the pressure points that can impede your sleep.  And as we believe, the better your sleep, the better you are able to take on the challenges of the day.

If you suffer from acid reflux an adjustable bed can put you in a position that keeps your esophagus slightly higher than your stomach.  This can help keep the stomach acids where they belong, in the stomach.  Less acid in the esophagus means less damage and quicker healing of the symptoms of acid reflux.  Again, if you do not have to fight pain, you should sleep better.  And better sleep is what we promote both here and in our business.

Is there a snorer in your bed room?  If so an adjustable bed may help to reduce or eliminate the snoring.  Please keep in mind that snoring could be an indicator of sleep apnea, a rather serious condition requiring a doctors evaluation and care.  We hear often how couples no longer sleep together because of snoring.  That is a sad thing, so if an adjustable bed would help, we feel it is well worth it!  Better sleep for the non snoring partner is a very good thing!

There are other problems that can be solved from a health standpoint by using an adjustable bed.  Whether it is just to help an older person get up to go to the bathroom, or help spread the pressure to encourage restful sleep, we believe in the abilities of the adjustable bed.

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The second reason was luxury.  Now don't discount this off the top.  If you like to read before bed, or (and this is not recommended) watch TV, then there is no more comfortable way to do it than in an adjustable bed.  Some even offer a massage feature, which can help relieve the pressures of your day.  Please do not consider these beds as "hospital beds"  because that indicates if your sick you need one.  That is totally untrue.  Consider spring time which will be here before you know it, getting out in the garden or yard can be back breaking especially after a winter of little yard work.  The minor aches and pains can be soothed by an adjustable bed.

And always consider the mattress on top of it.  The major adjustable bed manufacturers have long term warranties on their product.  As an example Leggett & Platt, a Missouri company, and our preferred provider, offers a limited lifetime warranty on the adjustables they sell.  Shouldn't your mattress be at least that good?  That's why our business sells and promotes Comfortaire mattresses, with a 20 year limited warranty, your new bed can truly last and it makes economic sense as well.  Prices in the Air technology segment are just about the same as innerspring, but will last maybe 3 times as long.

Since we believe in the adjustable bed, at our business we try to make it affordable for as many as possible.  The competition sets our base price, then we discount.  We also realize that affordability is a problem for some.  There are options that can be afforded by every one, so let us help you sleep better.  We also try to be educated on the benefits, and can help support your sleep health in our store.  Stop by and test us!

Sleep Well!

Sleep Cycles Revisited

We were reading another blogger, who favored sleeping less then 7 to 9 hours at night.  And we investigated it some.  While most adults sleep 7 to 9 hours, some people prefer to split up their sleep.  We need 5 to 6 sleep cycles per day, and it seems they do not have to be contiguous. 

There are alternative sleep patterns we can use, but keep in mind it takes time to adjust to these new patterns.  In a nut shell, it takes between 90 and 110 minutes to completely cycle through sleep.  From Stage 1 through REM sleep.  So it is conceivable to break the daily sleep required into 5 or 6 parts.  Each of these parts can be spread across the day, allowing the practitioner to sleep only 90 minutes at night.  But this also means naps need to be scheduled through out the day. 

As an example, one could schedule a prime sleep time of 2 hours at night.  Following this that person would then be awake and alert for just under 5 hours.  Then a 90 minute nap, followed by just under 5 hours of wake time.  This would continue for the entire day, or about 5 repetitions.  If that schedule were followed, there would be the correct amount of sleep.  Other scholars have proposed other systems, the key to all of them is that we sleep 7 to 9 hours a day.

So why do most of us do all our daily sleep at night?  We believe it is because, with the exception of the 20th and 21st century, lighting was poor or non existent at night.  Unlike nocturnal animals, we do not see as well at night as we do during the day.  From that stand point it makes sense to sleep when it is difficult to do anything else.

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With the advent of artificial lighting, things have changed.  If you are in a room with bright light, and it's mid night, do you realize it's dark?  Because of artificial lighting, we could adjust our sleep habits.  But keep in mind, there is energy savings to follow a more traditional pattern.  Some times you just can't find a better way...  Electricity to power the artificial light, and environmental adjustments, like A/C in the afternoon to simulate night.  You would also have to invest in room darkening shades to accomplish good sleep during the day.

All of our research tends to point out that as long as you get the gross amount of sleep required to be healthy, it really doesn't matter when you get it.  So be yourself! 

Sleep Well!

Merry Christmas

For children, today and tomorrow may be the toughest night in the year to sleep.  The song that says visions of sugarplum dance in their heads seems to sum it up.  But remember parents:  It is important to help foster a good sleep routine.  And have a great Christmas.  Sneak in after they do fall asleep and look at their faces, there is nothing quite so beautiful.

¡Feliz Navidad!  Geseënde Kersfees.  Gëzuar Krishtlindjet.  Շնորհավոր Սուրբ Ծնունդ:  Eguberri.  З Калядамі.  শুভ বড়দিন  Весела Коледа.  Bon Nadal.  圣诞节快乐  聖誕節快樂  Sretan Božić.  Veselé Vánoce.  Glædelig jul.  Gelukkig kerstfeest.  Feliĉa Kristnasko.  Häid jõule.  Maligayang Pasko.  hyvää joulua.  Joyeux Noël.  feliz Nadal.  შობა  Frohe Weihnachten.  Καλά Χριστούγεννα  Καλά Χριστούγεννα  חג המולד שמח  jwayeu Nwèl.  मेरी क्रिसमस  Boldog Karácsonyt.  Gleðileg jól.  Selamat Hari Natal.  Nollaig Shona.  Buon Natale  メリークリスマス  ಮೆರ್ರಿ ಕ್ರಿಸ್ಮಸ್  메리 크리스마스  ວັນຄຣິດສະມາດ Merry.  Verbum Caro.  Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus.  Linksmų Kalėdų.  Среќен Божиќ. کریسمس مبارک Merry Krismas.  God jul.  Wesołych Świąt.  Feliz Natal.  Crăciun fericit.  С Рождеством.  Срећан Божић.  veselé Vianoce.  Vesel božič.  Krismasi Njema.  மெர்ரி கிறிஸ்துமஸ்  మెర్రీ క్రిస్మస్  เมอร์รี่คริสต์มาส  Mutlu Noeller.  З Різдвом.  میری کرسمس  Mừng Giáng Sinh.  Nadolig Llawen.  לעבעדיק ניטל

How ever you say it, however it is written, have a great one!  And always remember to...

Sleep Well! 

The 12 Days of Sleepmas

Let's just have some fun, it's that time of year!

On the first day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me a Comfortaire bed.

On the send day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me 2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the third day of  of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me 3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the fourth day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the fifth day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me 5 extra hours (of sleep).
a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the sixth day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me, a 6 inch pillow top,
5 extra hours (of sleep).
a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the seventh day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me,
7 silk PJ's,
a 6 inch pillow top,
5 extra hours (of sleep).
a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the eighth day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me,
8 undisturbed hours,
7 silk PJ's,
a 6 inch pillow top,
5 extra hours (of sleep).
a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the ninth day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me,
9 bed time books,
8 undisturbed hours ,
7 silk PJ's,
a 6 inch pillow top,
5 extra hours (of sleep).
a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the tenth day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me,
10 Lullabies,
9 bed time books,
8 undisturbed hours,
7 silk PJ's,
a 6 inch pillow top,
5 extra hours (of sleep).
a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the eleventh day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me,
11 sleepy time teas,
10 Lullabies,
9 bed time books,
8 undisturbed hours,
7 silk PJ's,
a 6 inch pillow top,
5 extra hours (of sleep).
a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

On the twelfth day of Sleepmas,
My true love gave to me, 12 Quiet relatives,
11 sleepy time teas,
10 Lullabies,
9 bed time books,
8 undisturbed hours,
7 silk PJ's,
a 6 inch pillow top,
5 extra hours (of sleep).
a 4 foot body pillow,
3 hundred thread count sheets,
2 Gold Label Pillows,
and a great Comfortaire bed.

Sleep Well!

Tragic

While this blog is all about sleep, we find some things transcend that purpose.  Please pray for the victims and families of Sandy Hook Elementary School.  What a horrible time for this to happen.  Is there no sanity left in this world?

Sleep Between Your Sheets

Today let's talk about sheets.  We all have had that favorite set that we use until it falls apart.  And it seems hard to find sheets that feel as good.  We look at thread counts, some of us look at the fabric content, and some of us look at the weave pattern.  We believe there are four things important in a good set of sheets.

First, thread count.  It is supposedly true that high thread count sheets are the best, right?  But what is thread count?  Thread count is simply how many threads occupy one square inch of the fabric.  Simple enough?  But wait!  Is the yarn one ply or two or three or more?  Are they counting plies, or individual threads?  The answer is it depends.  There are no regulations on thread count.  One manufacturer might offer a 300 thread count sheet, another 600, but they may be the same sheet.  If the 300 thread count sheet counts yarn fibers, and the other counts plies and the sheet is 2 ply, then 300 times 2 is 600.  And there is nothing illegal about either count.  We believe some high thread count sheets are counting plies to fool the public, and while not illegal, to us is immoral.  There is one thing you can be sure of, if the thread count is over about 1200, they are counting the plies, so look for the ply on the package and divide that into the thread count to get the true thread count.  Suppose you are at a trade show, and there is a hawker selling sheets with 800 thread count for a mere $30.  Trust me, he is counting plies.

Second is the fabric material itself.  Is it all cotton?  What kind of cotton?  Two important questions.  Some manufacturers have put synthetic fiber blends out.  These blended sheets are good for two things, giving the sheet a no iron quality, and reducing the over all cost of the sheets.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, however, true cotton sheets are going to be the softest. 

What kind of cotton, did you read right?  Absolutely.  Cotton comes in many varieties, and not all cotton is created equal.  As a general rule, the longer the fiber, or as the call it in the industry, the staple, the longer the sheets will last, and they will tend to be softer.  Many manufacturers will use the term 'long staple' on the label.  If you don't see that, assume it is not long staple cotton.  There is another way to know if the cotton is in the higher quality plateau, look for Pima cotton, it is among the best in the world, and it is grown right here in the United States.  Supima cotton is a marketing association for manufacturers using Pima cotton, and paying to license the Supima brand.  To the consumer Supima has high standards, and this is a very good thing.  There are very good sheets out there that do not invest in the Supima branding.  Why?  To save expense, or because they are using imported cotton.

Have you heard about Egyptian cotton?  It's supposed to be good isn't it?  It can be, but to call something Egyptian cotton is not unlike calling sheets from US cotton American cotton.  Its nice to know where the cotton came from, but there are still different varieties of cotton.  Good Egyptian cotton rivals Pima in quality, but how do you know what variety they used?

Third, we have the weave pattern.  Sateen weave is the softest weave.  Percales are not as soft, but they come out of the dryer with less wrinkles.  There are some others, but Sateen and Percale are the two major weaves.  If you prefer softer sheets, choose Sateen.

Fourth, and we touched on it earlier, but we believe where the cotton is grown, and where the cotton was processed does make a difference.  Not in quality, but in keeping our neighbors employed.  There are great sheet makers in Pakistan, India, and China.  They source there raw materials globally, some perhaps use US cotton.  We do recommend you look at the label, and just be aware of the country of origin.  Even Pima sheets can be finished in other countries, remember the Pima cotton is grown in the US, no guarantee it wasn't exported.

A little complicated just for sheets huh.  Well to boil it down, look at thread count, look at weave pattern, look at the length of the fiber, all should be on the label.  When you find a good set, also take a moment to look at the country of origin.  Buy the set that is the best quality, but know where they come from.  There is one final thought.  My Grandmother always said, "you get what you pay for."  Manufacturing costs being somewhat equal, the price of raw materials being somewhat equal, the price on the package can sometimes give insight into the quality inside.  $30 sheet sets will cover your bed, $100 sets will feel so much better.  The only way to reduce cost, is to reduce quality.  Don't look at one part of the four here, you won't find that next great sheet set.  Look at all four, and your chances are much better.

Sleep Well!