(ARA) - You eat right, you exercise and you’re even working to reduce the stress in your life. But are you addressing one of your body’s most important needs? While most people are concerned with maintaining their health and vitality, many neglect their sleep. Quality sleep is essential for living to the fullest during waking hours. Our bodies need this restorative time, so it’s important to find a mattress that supports your lifestyle whether you’re a weekend warrior or a Sunday stroller.
The bedroom takes on new importance once we realize the impact of a good night’s sleep. No matter what your lifestyle, a restful night has a big impact on the quality of your day. Almost anyone can achieve a better night’s sleep by following these tips:
Keep a regular sleep schedule.
The brain and body need to balance sleeping and being awake. A set bedtime helps the body regulate the circadian rhythms that control our sleeping and help us get deep, restful sleep
Avoid alcohol.
While many people believe that a drink before bed will help them relax, alcohol actually disrupts sleep, causing nighttime awakenings.
Exercise at the right time.
As a rule, activity helps promote a better night’s sleep, but make sure your timing is right. Experts recommend finishing your workout about three hours before bedtime. And if those workouts are causing any aches and pains, invest in a mattress that addresses the needs of active people. Spring Air’s Back Supporter mattresses, with its zoned balance interspring, provide exceptional support and relaxation.
Create a sleep-promoting environment.
Your bedroom should be designed to give you the best sleep possible -- cool, dark and most importantly, quiet. Snoring is a big complaint among many couples and can indicate a serious problem. Sleep apnea, a disorder that causes breathing to stop repeatedly during the night, is often indicated by snoring. Allergies can be another cause of noisy sleeping. Keep track of the times snoring occurs as a way to help eliminate allergens. For those with environmental sensitivities or those seeking to create a more organic lifestyle, consider investing in new bedding. Look for sheets and blankets made from unbleached, 100 percent cotton and consider mattresses that reflect your lifestyle, like the Four Seasons from Spring Air. These mattresses feature renewable, all-natural materials like wool, silk and down.
A partner that tosses and turns is another sleep stealer. The right mattress can help reduce motion disturbance by eliminating the “shock waves” caused by a restless partner. The Spring Air ComfortFlex mattresses are a good choice for couples looking for reduced motion disturbance with comfort and support.
If restlessness is robbing you of sleep, a mattress that eliminates body pressure points might be a good solution. Today’s mattresses improve upon the NASA-engineered visco-elastic foam invented in the 1960s to provide a sleep surface that conforms to the contours of your body. The Sleep Fitness collection from Spring Air pairs the comfort of foam with a unique surface design to help maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature.
Limit lying awake.
It’s best to find another activity rather than stare at the ceiling, unable to sleep. If you’re still not asleep 20 minutes after retiring, get out of bed and read or listen to music until you feel sleepy. Worrying about not sleeping may make it harder to fall asleep, so move the clock out of sight so you don’t obsess about the minutes ticking by. If you continue to have problems falling asleep, it may be worthwhile to learn relaxation therapy techniques from a trained professional.
