The benefits of proper sleep should never be underestimated. This biological necessity resets your body and mind, and is essential for consolidating memories, repairing tissues and muscles, and regulating both your mood and metabolism.
From purchasing the perfect SleepMaker mattresses and pillows to provide the support you need to creating a peaceful and inviting sleeping environment, upgrading the bedrooms in your home will ensure your family enjoys an uninterrupted and restful night’s sleep.
The Perfect Mattress
When purchasing a new mattress, you need to consider your sleeping style and sleeping environment. Side sleepers need a medium-soft to medium-firm mattress that will cushion the hips and shoulders while keeping the spine aligned. Back sleepers need medium to medium-firm mattresses that support the lower back while still providing a gentle sink for comfort.
Stomach sleepers will need a firmer mattress that stops the hips from dipping too low, which can misalign the spine and cause lower back strain. Finally, combination sleepers, who tend to move around quite a lot during the night, need a responsive mattress that adjusts quickly as they change position.
Pillows
When choosing a pillow, you need to consider what type of sleeper you are. Whether you primarily sleep on your back, stomach, or side affects the position of your spine and how much support your head and neck need.
People who sleep on their backs will need a pillow that supports the natural curve of their neck. Memory foam pillows with medium firmness will not only shape themselves around your head and neck, but also keep your head aligned with your spine as you sleep.
Side sleepers require a large amount of support in both height and level of firmness. Experts recommend selecting a pillow that offers 4-6 inches of height and a moderate-to-firm firmness, filling the space between the ear and outer shoulder. This will maintain proper posture and prevent neck strain.
Finally, stomach sleepers need to determine which parts of their bodies need support to keep their spines properly aligned throughout the night. In most cases, stomach sleepers will need a softer pillow with a lower height. Alternatively, if you sleep half on your stomach and half on your side, a body pillow will provide the extra support you need. If you suffer from back pain, it is advisable not to sleep on your stomach in any capacity.
Mattress Protector
Many people tend to overlook an important part of a bed setup: the layer directly under your sheets. A high-quality mattress protector plays a significant role in temperature control, airflow, and the overall comfort of your bed.
If you tend to run warm while you sleep, it is best to switch to a temperature-regulating protector, which uses innovative technology and fabric construction to instantly cool the surface of your bed. Alternatively, if you prefer a balanced, breathable option, an all-season protector will ensure proper airflow and softness throughout the year.
Finally, for pet owners and allergy-prone households, select a mattress protector that fully zips around your mattress to keep allergens and moisture out of your sleeping space without adding unwanted heat or stiffness to your bed.
Bedding
When purchasing bedding, no single material is best. The right fabric works for the individual, their type of sleeper, and their preferred level of comfort. However, in all cases, it is best to opt for a breathable, thermoregulating, and, if possible, hypoallergenic option to prevent overheating and provide a soft, comfortable feel against your skin.
Cotton is the most common bedding option, while materials like bamboo and linen continue to grow in popularity thanks to their lightweight, sustainable qualities. Regardless of what you choose, it is worth investing in bedding made from your chosen material for maximum quality and comfort.
Restful Lighting
Electronic devices and other popular gadgets emit glaring blue light and endless alerts that can quickly overstimulate any family member. But when it comes to sleep, even the ordinary lights in our homes can contribute to broken, restless sleep. Circadian rhythm, which guides our sleep-wake cycles, is heavily influenced by natural light and darkness.
Extended exposure to artificial light in the evening can prevent our brains from recognising the need to produce melatonin, which aids in sleep and relaxation, disrupting circadian rhythms and delaying sleep onset. In addition to limiting your exposure to blue light and other sources of harsh light in the evening, many sleep experts recommend keeping the bedroom light levels as low as possible and switching to bulbs that do not emit blue-spectrum light.
Noise Machine
From loud snoring to incessant car horns, outside noise can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, which can have a negative impact on both your mental and physical health. Research suggests that even low levels of unwanted noise can cause you to move to a light sleep stage or wake up entirely.
For many people, this means utilising a white noise machine or a soft, soothing fan to mask other sounds and help you fall into a deep sleep. Others opt to listen to ambient sounds or soothing music to reduce anxiety and calm a racing mind. The key is to find what best works for you and your family members and purchase devices that can cater to their needs without disrupting the rest of the household.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.