Mattress Protectors are so important when buying a new mattress!

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Do you wake up with itchy, watery eyes, wheezing, and sneezing? If you’ve answered yes (most people do) it’s because your not alone. Nope. You’ve got unwelcome guests living in your mattress, boxsprings (foundation), and pillows. You are sharing your sleeping space with a happy family of millions, yes I said millions of DUST MITES. Unfortunately, these tiny tiny critters cause huge health risks for children and adults alike, known as indoor allergies. Dust Mites, account for 60% of the asthma, allergy and eczema cases. Dust Mites can have a profoundly negative effect on your over all sleep and health. Every night you “crawl” (yes pun intended) into bed you stir up a party if you will, a feeding frenzy, Oh did I forget to mention Dust Mites feed on our skin cells which flake off every night while you sleep, which is why the mattress is a perfect home for Dust Mites. Mattress research has found that unprotected mattresses can double their weight in a ten year period of time (how old did you say yours was?) due too DUST MITES and skin cells flaking off. Ah, but there is a way of protecting yourself, folks, No dressing in full body armor and wearing a scuba mask is not it. Simply when purchasing your new mattress you can purchase a mattress protector, a thin, breathable, waterproof, antimicrobial, anti allergy DUST MITE resistant protector. Owning a protector not only will help protect you but it truly protects the mattress from you, and the many mishaps that may happen. Having a protector may also extend the life of the mattress by keeping it in pristine condition, which ultimately makes your investment work that much harder for you. Bottom line is having a mattress without a protector is like cookie monster without cookies, peanut butter without jelly, Bert without Ernie, well you get the picture.

Thanks for catching up with Kelly

A good mattress may be the key to achieving some of those New Year’s resolutions!

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Okay, so it’s mid-January now, and how are those tried-and-true resolutions you promised yourself you’d make at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s coming along now?  Well, maybe it’s time to re-examine our good intentions a little further and tweak our goals for a healthier 2013.  Here goes:

New Resolution #1: Invest in you and your partner’s sleep-get a good quality mattress that is suited for both you and your sleep partner. (think about it this way – a restful night’s sleep for you and your partner will afford you many healthful benefits, so a mattress is an important investment in each other’s overall well-being)
To replace the Old Resolution- invest in exercise equipment, to be later used as an expensive clothes rack.

New Resolution #2: Get into a routine SLOWLY -your body will start to expect certain things at certain times like sleep, which makes a routine much easier to maintain.
To replace the Old Resolution- the first week we hit the gym everyday and bed early every night. The second week it’s gym couple of nights and bed time just a bit later. The third week make it to the gym when we can, but we want to stay up and watch the new TV show. Exercise routine goes out the window because there’s  too much too fast.

New resolution #3: Eat right and learn good eating habits. Slowly introduce good foods to your diet and remove high fat and high caloric foods (losing weight and getting fit helps sleep tremendously). You’ll want to do this until there’s more good than bad in your diet.
To replace the old resolution-Stock up on pre-packaged frozen foods (supposedly low fat low calorie foods) while every supermarket has them on sale. Of course, after the sale ends and boredom from eating frozen foods all the time sets in, the “diet” goes out the window.

New resolution #4: If you are having difficulty breathing or snoring at night, or are tired and fatigued in the mornings, these can all be signs of a more serious sleep condition know as sleep apnea. Do your research and visit your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
To replace the old resolution- A vague promise to get our annual physical or address a constant or chronic condition, which turns into a continual procrastination.

Here are five more little helpful tips
1)Drink plenty of water.
2)Exercise (walking its free)
3)Get an awesome pillow
4)No caffeine or alcohol late in the day
5)Create an inviting sleep environment, smells, décor, and sound

Thanks for catching up on your sleep with Kelly.

What’s an ideal mattress choice for a more “mature” elderly person?

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Possibly the biggest problem we encounter with elderly consumers, is that they believe there is nothing wrong with their mattress. The elderly tend to believe their mattress has no expiration date. In fact, over time (a long period, not indefinite though) coils can weaken and foams can wear down, leaving an unsupportive and uncomfortable mattress. It is IMPERATIVE that the elderly have supportive and comfortable mattresses, As we age our needs and bodies change we become more susceptible to joint paint and back pain. Back pain is a common problem for people as they age. elderly people can experience lower back pain just due to degenerative effects. Sleeping on a bad mattress that does not support the back can effect a persons spinal alignment worsening an already bad aging back. The elderly, Especially those with back pain should consider a firmer support system with a nice comfort layer.(support system means the coil system or foam core; comfort layer means the foams on top of the mattress). The texture of the mattress can also affect the comfort level of the elderly person. Cooler temperatures in a room during the winter months can stiffen an elderly person’s muscles and joints. Warmer roomer temperatures, tend to have a more draining effect on the body. A mattress that is breathable naturally regulates the temperature of the mattress and helps stabilize an older person’s body temperature, reducing any stiffness or feelings of drain. Mattress reviews show that the Sealy Posturepedic Optimum collection,

The Sealy Posturepedic Optimum is an ideal choice for an older person.

which includes the Destiny, Radiance, Elation,Inspiration, and Vibrant models, would fit the bill. Any one of these mattresses will provide a tepid comfortable sleep system.  Thank You for catching up on your sleep with Kelly

Mattress Reviews – which is best for a side, stomach or back sleeper?

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Being in the mattress business for a number of years, when a mattress expert asks the famous question “How do you sleep?” most people respond with the “all over the place” answer. While that may be true due to the age or quality of your mattress causing you to toss and turn all night, there are actually four sleep positions: side, side/back, stomach, and back. Today we are going to do mattress reviews on the right mattress that is suitable for a particular sleeper.
Let’s start with the side/back sleeper. Now this one is a bit challenging, these sleepers require a bit firmer mattress for the back sleeping position as to avoid creating a hammock effect and a softer, more forgiving mattress for the side position as to avoid creating pressure points on the hips and shoulders which can constrict blood flow. Thankfully, many of our manufactures have created such mattresses as Stearns and Foster Graciella Luxury Plush Tight Top which is firm enough for great back support with enough lumbar support and soft enough to take pressure off of the heavier parts of the body, the hips and shoulders.

The Stearns & Foster Graciela Luxury Plush is terrific for side or back sleepers.

Also the Graciella has the coil-in-coil design which also adds to the support and conformability of the mattress. A mattress should always conform to you; you should never conform to a mattress.

Now let’s tackle our stomach sleepers: my first thought is always to say “change”. Change the way you sleep. I know, easier said than done. Since there are many stomach sleepers out there, let’s find the right mattress for you.  This mattress should have firm support with a comfort layer while using a very flat pillow as to not force the neck back adding to the stress and strain on the spine. One such mattress that fits the bill is the Sealy Posturepedic Optimum Radiance; this mattress has a soft comfortable top with a great support system. As a little bonus, the foam is infused with gel and outlast which helps in maintaining the optimum temperature.

The Sealy Posturepedic Optimum Radiance would be ideal for a stomach sleeper.

Side sleepers are the most common sleepers and generally the easiest to please, however if you choose too firm of a mattress, you will definitely know it quickly. Side sleepers need a softer, conforming, pressure-relieving sleep system. One that is easy on the hips and shoulders being as though they have the most contact with the mattress. Shoulder pain is a common complaint of side sleepers who are on too firm of a mattress. Another common ailment of female side sleepers is often experiencing hip pain which can trickle down the leg and into the lumbar area. A great mattress for awesome support and superior comfort is the Simmons Beautyrest Black Georgianna Ultra Plush.

If you are a side-sleeper, the Simmons Beautyrest Black Georgianna Ultra Plush would be a terrific choice.

One thing that I have always taught my guests (customers) is comfort is what we want to feel when we go to sleep. Support is what we want to feel when we wake up. Thanks again for catching up on your sleep with Kelly.

Mattress Buying Tips for a Child’s Bed

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Sleep is a vital need essential to a child’s health and growth, sleep also promotes alertness, memory, and performance. Children who get enough sleep are more likely to function better and are less prone to behavioral problems and moodiness (tantrums) than their counterparts who get less than enough sleep. It is essential for parents to start early and help their children develop good sleep habits. A great way to start is to pick out a good quality mattress. So many times parents tend to keep their children in beds such as toddler beds for far too long.  Generally, toddler bed mattresses are made of a very firm block foam with no comfort or conforming properties. Children tend to abandon their beds and visit their parents so most parents believe this to be because of needing their comfort but that is not actually the case; the comfort they are seeking is actually the comfort of the mattress. Many parents are under the impression that children do not require a good mattress when, in fact, it is the complete opposite (our children are our most precious assets). Parents should consider many factors (the height, the firmness, the durability, and comfort) when purchasing a mattress. The first rule of thumb would be, would you sleep in it yourself? The growth of a child happens at night which makes it even more essential that a child has the best mattress that is also affordable for the family. Further research also shows that children really do remember what they have learned best when they are given the opportunity for a good night’s sleep. A child will remember what they learned with much more ease the following day after a good night’s sleep than they would just four hours after learning it with no sleep. So here are a few steps to getting the right mattress:
1. Certainly price is a factor. You don’t have to break the bank to get a good one. Mattresshotline.com has many to choose from.
2. It is never a good idea to use hand-me-down mattresses.
3. Always buy a mattress with a good warranty.
4. Do use a mattress protector. (It will help extend the life of the mattress making it much more cost effective)
5. Do buy a complete set with a good frame.
6. Do make your child’s sleep enjoyable as well by adding colorful linens or themed sheet sets. After all, your child’s good sleep habits ultimately affect your own.
Thanks for catching up on your sleep with Kelly.

What is “Sleep Debt”?

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What is sleep debt, you ask? Well it is just like a credit card debt. We buy things on borrowed money with the intention of paying it back. Generally we give ourselves an allotted time frame (creditor’s help with that) most being 28-31 days to pay back the debt. The same is true for sleep. We may borrow a few hours of sleep here and there with the idea or intent of paying it back, or so we like to tell ourselves anyway. We say things like “It’s Saturday, I’ll sleep in tomorrow!” yet Sunday rolls around and you realize you forgot about little Suzie’s recital or the promise of visiting a friend and now you have lost the opportunity to pay back your sleep debt.  According to most studies, lost sleep can never be paid back. Just losing one hour of sleep would mean you would have to sleep a total of 9-10 hours a night for the next month just to catch up which, let’s face it, probably won’t happen. Isn’t that how we got into debt in the first place? Sleep debt can have a detrimental effect on your health so here are some tips to help avoid getting yourself into debt:

Check out upcoming blogs on mattress reviews. I will be reviewing which mattresses are best for the side sleeper, back sleeper, stomach sleeper, and the side/back sleeper. Thanks for catching up on your sleep with Kelly!

 

Sleeping on a better mattress could improve your health!

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Previously we touched on why a good mattress is important and how sleep deprivation has the same effects as being intoxicated. Now, let’s really delve into why it’s so important to do your research on mattress reviews to get the best mattress for both your lifestyle and your budget. First and foremost, yes, we do need sleep for survival but did you also know that it was essential for keeping a healthy weight and a healthy heart?  The CDC says 65% of Americans are now overweight or obese and that can be attributed to the combination of lack of sleep, a high caloric intake, and a more sedentary lifestyle. Obesity can lead to diabetes, hypertension and heart disease which can be a deadly combination. Obesity is a big contributing factor to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea; in fact, an estimated 18 million Americans have sleep apnea (as a person continues to gain weight, the sleep disorder increases, causing a vicious cycle). Sleep apnea interrupts the nighttime sleep and adds to daytime sleepiness. With that being said, the opposite is also true: more sleep = more energy = more exercise = decrease in weight = increase in sleep which is a wonderful cycle. How exactly does a lack of sleep affect your heart? Well lack of sleep doesn’t necessarily cause heart disease but it does increase the risk factors. Blood pressure for most people falls at night so a shorter sleep time may not be enough time to take the dip it needs. Simply said, your heart doesn’t get the rest it needs, so I guess it’s pretty safe to say getting less than six hours of sleep is probably not the way to go. Switching from sleeping on a mattress that is not allowing us the required sleep for optimum health to one that allows for a good night’s sleep is a pretty easy fix considering the alternative. Many of us are sleeping in mattresses that just keep us moving all night long (tossing and turning). While you’re moving and wrestling, you are definitely not resting. Do yourself and your heart a favor and replace your mattress. With all of the wonderful mattress choices we have to offer, we have the right one for you. A third of your life is spent in a mattress, make it the best possible you can; after all the other 2/3 of your life is affected by the first 1/3. Thanks for catching up on your sleep with Kelly!

Simmons ComforPedic Advanced – experience the health benefits

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People always ask, “Is a good mattress really that important?” The answer is always,  Yes, absolutely! A mattress has the potential to either encourage sleep or rob you of it. If you are tossing and turning all night or waking up tired and stiff, just take a minute and think, is that really how you want to start your day? The ComforPedic Advanced mattress collection may be the solution to these common sleep issues. Not a person in the world wants to start their long day exhausted when they roll out of bed, or worse yet, have to dread coming home in the evening to climb into a bed that they hate.  Knowing that sleeping on the wrong mattress which isn’t doing one any favors is horrible on both the mind and body.  Now imagine climbing into a bed that you can’t wait to come home to, one that is soft and supportive, one that cradles the hips and shoulders and supports the back, one that eliminates tossing and turning.  (Tossing and turning is the body’s way of diminishing the type of pain caused by the pressure points created by the mattress.) When tossing and turning is decreased, sleep is increased. When sleep is increased, many things happen. You are in a better state of mind and your body feels better and up for tackling the day’s challenges.  Your health is improved: a tired body cannot fight against illness, stress, anxiety and whatever else is thrown its way, but a well-rested one packs a powerful punch against all of the above.  The Comforpedic Advanced line (adjustable base friendly, catch the blog from December 31, 2012.) has the right mix of comfort and support. By the way, comfort is what you want when you go to sleep and support is what you want when you wake up. You really can have both!  Because Comforpedic Advanced has the right mix of comfort and support, and comes in a variety of models, which makes it the right choice for every kind of sleep position (stomach, side, back, and side/back). The ComforPedic Advanced collection is ideal because the mattresses are  supportive enough for the stomach sleeper which means it won’t push the spine in the opposite direction, soft enough for the side sleeper which means it will not create pressure points on the hips and shoulders, and it has the perfect mix of softness and support for the back and side/back sleeper which means it will fill in the lumbar and the back of the knees.  These features keep all sleep positions in perfect postural alignment creating a perfect sleep system which equals a restful night’s sleep. Here’s a fun fact: You can survive three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food, and most people start to get pretty “squirrely” after 72 hours without sleep but most people can only survive LESS than a week without sleep. You can actually live longer without food than you could without sleep! Having a great mattress can have great effects on your life! Thanks for catching up on your sleep with Kelly!

Improve Your Sleep with an Adjustable Bed

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Adjustable Beds: they’re not just your grandmother’s bed anymore. As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite. Many consumers between the age of 26 and 45 are now enjoying the many benefits an adjustable base has to offer, as well as our senior consumers. Owning an adjustable base is a lifestyle decision. What an enjoyable way to watch television, read a book, and for all you gamers, the perfect way to play! The Nuflex Adjustable Base by Simmons is a base with features that include a flat button, wireless remote, preset positions, wall saver, built in pocket, and a vibration/massage feature. In addition, with the Simmons Nuflex Adjustable Base, you don’t have to go too far to look for an outlet. In fact, the base is equipped with one on each side– how cool is that?!  It’s perfect for our electronic devices that we are all guilty of using in bed. Over and above the sheer enjoyment of an adjustable base, it truly does enhance one’s sleep. The adjustable base has been attributed to helping those of us who have certain medical issues such as: acid reflux (also known as heart burn or gerd) – by raising the head to help keep the esophagus clear of stomach acid.  An adjustable base can also help eliminate snoring – by raising the head which to open the air way (for this reason alone, many people have purchased an adjustable base because it is the number one reason for sleep partner disturbance). A very high percentage of consumers today suffer from chronic back pain, and raising the head and feet to a certain position (whatever is best for YOU) reduces considerable stress and strain on the spine.
Diabetics or those with restricted blood flow do especially well on an adjustable base equipped with a massage/vibration mode. The vibration helps blood flow, numbness, and those ever popular pins and needles that many of us experience in our traditional bases. There are just so many reasons and benefits to owning an adjustable base, here are a few more common health concerns and adjustments that help with these conditions:

  • Heart disease – by elevating the feet.
  • Edema/swelling – by elevating the feet.
  • Hip, joint pain, and arthritis – raise both the feet and head, as well as also utilizing the vibration mode
  • Asthma, breathing diseases, and sleep apnea – elevate the head.

For the consumer who has trouble getting in and out of bed due to health issues, medical problems, or trauma, the adjustable base makes this strenuous, daunting task (to some) much easier by just the push of a button. As for the ideal mattress to put on top of an adjustable base, the Simmons Comforpedic, which we will go over tomorrow, is a great choice for those consumers who want to be coil-free and the Simmons Beautyrest Elite Series has fantastic choices for a traditional mattress consumer. With so many “adjustable-base-friendly” mattresses out on the market today in many comfort feels and price points, there is one for you! There’s no need to suffer during the night any longer or if you’re just in the market to enhance your sleep, an adjustable base might just be ideal for you. Thanks for catching up on your sleep with Kelly!

Sealy Posturepedic Optimum …. help for sleep deprivation!

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The effects of sleep deprivation are much like the effects of being intoxicated. Simply put, it is a danger that most people today are unaware of. One of the biggest contributing factors of sleep deprivation is, you guessed it– your mattress! Many of us are sleeping in mattresses that are just not doing it for us. We are sleeping on mattresses that are sagging and too old or, new and just too soft or, too firm. There are many reasons behind sleep deprivation, but if you can answer yes to any of these following questions, you are among the majority that are in fact sleep deprived:

  • Do you toss and turn?
  • Do you roll to the center?
  • Do you hang on the edge for dear life?
  • Does your sleep partner snore? (The next blog post will be on adjustables, you won’t want to miss that if you said yes to that question!)
  • Are you more tired in the morning than you were the night before?
  • Does your mattress cause pains and aches?

Even answering yes to one of these questions means it’s time to replace your mattress. Investing in a good quality mattress can increase your sleep considerably, meaning there will be less tossing and turning, less pains and aches, and less sleep disturbances that will affect your life the next day.The increase in sleep quality will ultimately increase your quality of life; you begin to see things in a clearer manner, you become more productive, less irritable, and more patient and happy (people will enjoy your company again!), but most importantly you will be much more alert and much safer when it comes it comes to your everyday activities. The Optimum by Sealy Posturepedic, (meaning optimum temperature, optimum comfort, and optimum support during the night) is designed for the individual needs of each and every person who tries it. Its unique Optisense memory foam conforms to one’s individual shape and size which means it softens where needed, your hips and shoulders, and gives complete firm support in the lighter parts of the body, your lumbar, knees, ankles, etc., ensuring perfect comfort and support. “Cool” is the hip new word in mattresses, if you will. The Optimum with Opticool, a gel memory foam infused with Outlast, is proven to be more effective in removing excess heat during the night. How much more effective you ask? Well, Opticool gel memory foam is 12 times more effective than standard memory foam and gel memory foams at removing excess heat! You deserve to be the best you that you can be, and that of course starts with optimum health which starts with optimum sleep. Well folks, stop by next week for our talk about how you can adjust your life with adjustable bases! Thanks for catching up with Kelly!