“A good night’s sleep” is a common phrase, but actually achieving a night of unbroken sleep is not that easy. Experience and research both show that a large part of the population does not get enough sleep to function efficiently. Fortunately, there are many ways you can try and sleep better. Paying attention to your comfort while sleeping can make a big difference. Spending a little time looking at different types of mattresses and adjustable bed systems may make all the difference to your life, giving you a good night’s sleep followed by a productive and fulfilling day.
How well do you sleep?
It’s not just how many hours you sleep but also how well you sleep. The quality of your sleep matters, because it affects your readiness to face each day in a relaxed and positive frame of mind. People who have insufficient or disturbed sleep report feeling tired, cranky and run down. Undisturbed sleep leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world.
Many factors affect how well you sleep, including stress, room temperature, illness, the type of bed and mattress you are using. While some factors can be beyond your control, others can be changed to allow for undisturbed sleep.
How much sleep do you need?
According to the National Sleep Foundation, most adults need to sleep for 7 to 9 hours each night to function at their best. This number can vary for individuals, but not too far. People who sleep less than 7 hours each night are more likely to fall asleep unexpectedly in the daytime. That’s a larger number of people than you might think. In a study published in 2011 by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 35% of the 74,000 people surveyed said that they slept less than 7 hours each night.
As many as 50 to 70 million adults in the U.S. are estimated by the CDC to suffer from chronic sleep and wakefulness disorders. The lack of quality sleep is a problem for individuals and for the economy as a whole, leading to lower productivity and work hours lost. A study conducted by Harvard Medical School found that a quarter of all American workers suffer from insomnia. This causes employers to lose $63 billion in productivity every year.
Does the type of bed affect sleep quality?
The short answer to this question is yes, it does make a difference. It can take some research to find the right type of bed for you, but the effort is worthwhile. Buying a bed and mattress is an important decision, because a good mattress can last for nine to ten years. So you should choose your mattress carefully, because you will be sleeping on it for a long time.
Some things to consider when choosing a mattress are: do you prefer your bed to be soft or firm? Do you like to sleep in a warm room or a cool one? Do you need an adjustable bed to be able to recline the headboard comfortably? These are important considerations. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that on average, we spend around 3,000 hours on our mattresses each year.
How can adjustable bed systems help you sleep better?
Adjustable bed systems can be combined with any type of mattress to ensure the most comfortable sleep position for you. A motor is used to recline the different parts of the bed into the position that you find most comfortable. An adjustable bed provides support to every part of the body, including your neck, back, legs and arms. This lets your muscles relax, which essential for a comfortable sleep.
Many adjustable bed systems come with optional massage and heating functions.
There are other things you can do to ensure a good night’s sleep. Regular exercise, a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking enough water, practicing meditation or yoga to reduce stress: all of these can help you to sleep better and contribute to your overall wellbeing.
