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6 Essential Characteristics Of A Good Mattress

You probably know by now that a comfortable mattress is crucial to getting regular, restful sleep. Chronic pain in the neck, back, shoulders, and head, as well as interrupted sleep habits, might result from sleeping on an old mattress or one that does not provide you with the support you need.

Although replacing your mattress with a brand new one is the best option, there are so many choices out there in the market that it can be overwhelming to choose one that best matches your need. The simple answer is that everyone has slightly different needs, but how can you determine which mattress is the most ideal for you? Here are six qualities of a good mattress to look out for on your mattress shopping trip.

Qualities of a Good Mattress to Look Out For

• Firmness

Understanding the firmness of a mattress is crucial, but it is also one of the most intricate aspects to consider. A plank of wood can represent the firmest surface for a night of sleep. The least amount of firmness would be like sleeping on a real cloud for the highest level of softness. While the vast majority of sleepers opt for a medium firmness mattress, there are others who prefer a softer, more fluffy option.

• Texture

You may want to think about how the mattress feels. Even though you will probably use a mattress protector and sheets, the mattress's original feel may still be noticeable. There are usually seams or patterns on a mattress, and some are more comfortable than others. This is largely a matter of opinion, and it is also something that could slip your mind unless you are actively seeking for it.

There are a wide variety of mattresses available, each created from a unique material. Traditional spring mattresses, which rely on metal springs for support, have given way to the more modern and comfortable memory foam option. There are also hybrid beds, which employ both foam and spring for firmer, softer support.

Whether you realize it or not, the size of your mattress will affect how well you sleep. You can be stuck with a bed frame that you would rather not replace, and the cost of a new mattress increases exponentially as its dimensions increase. Having trouble finding sheets that fit because of your unusual size will not negatively affect your quality of sleep, though.

The quality and durability of a mattress can vary greatly. A number of reasons contribute to this. Certain mattresses, such as spring models, experience greater wear and tear than others and so need to be replaced at a faster rate. It is crucial to choose a high-quality mattress brand because certain mattresses are made with more care than others and hence will last longer.

• Price

Price is the last factor to think about. It is possible that your budget will be a restricting issue here. If you have set a limit on your spending, you may be out of luck. On the other hand, it is true that you get the type of mattress that you paid for. You should expect to spend more on a high-quality mattress if you want it to last for many years.

6 Best Sleep Gifts To Consider

Are you thinking of presenting your loved ones with sleep gifts that may help them get better rest at night? While there is no substitute for actual sleep, the practice of developing and maintaining healthy habits prior to bedtime can have a profound effect on the quality of your slumber. Here are a number of gift ideas you can explore to help someone in your life develop a good sleep routine.

Ear Plugs and Eye Masks

Begin with the fundamentals. Putting on an eye mask before bed can help you achieve the kind of restorative, deep sleep that will leave you feeling refreshed when you wake up. Put in your earplugs and you will not be jolted awake by any sounds, whether they come from within or outside the house.

Weighted Blankets

The popularity of weighted blankets has increased due to their claimed ability to ease anxious feelings and improve sleep quality. There is evidence to back up your decision that this would be a great present for someone on your list. A weighted blanket can help a person feel more at ease and safe by applying deep touch pressure to various parts of the body.

Silk Sheets

Do silk sheets actually improve sleep quality? Silk and other natural fiber sheets are recommended by experts as better at regulating body temperature than synthetic sheets. Silk sheets are great for both hot and cold sleepers because of their ability to regulate body temperature.

Sunrise Alarm Clocks

An alarm clock that simulates the dawn is called a sunrise alarm clock or dawn simulation light. Simulated dawn, which is the effect of waking with a sunrise alarm clock, with 30 minutes of artificial light during the final 30 minutes of nightly sleep improved self-reported alertness and enhanced cognitive and physical performance upon waking, in a study that followed people who reported having trouble waking on their own in the morning.

Sound Machine

You may be skeptical about the effectiveness of a white noise machine (or an app or other device that acts as white noise, such as a fan or an A/C unit) if you have never used one before. Some people find it difficult to get to sleep because of the noise in their bedroom or outside their window. If you are facing difficulty in falling or staying asleep as a result of ambient noise, introducing white noise into the environment may help.

Meditation App

When it comes to your emotional, mental, and physical well-being, including your ability to achieve a good night's rest, meditation is a great mind-body activity. For instance, some research suggests that our brain's ability to combat negative thought patterns (like worry and rumination) that disrupt sleep can improve with meditation. Meditating before bed is something that has been recommended by experts. In addition to improving our focus, mood, and memory, meditating and practicing deep breathing can also help us feel more in control of our lives and hence, be more at ease.

5 Things You Can Do To Achieve Deep Sleep

Stages 3 and 4 of sleep are referred to as deep sleep, or slow-wave sleep. You will notice a considerable decrease in your heart rate and respiration, as well as a corresponding slowing of your brain waves and a consistent loosening of the muscles in your body and around your eyes. Because this is when your body heals tissues and develops its immune system, this stage of sleep is sometimes referred to as the restorative phase of sleep.

There are distinct phases of the sleep cycle that occur throughout the night. To feel revitalized upon waking, you must enter a state of deep slumber. The percentage of time spent in deep sleep each night declines with age. That is because our bodies have finished maturing and we have no more room for development to fill out.

Use the following techniques to help you relax your thoughts and increase deep sleep every night.

Daily Workout

It is common knowledge that regular exercise helps one sleep better at night. Those who exercise during the day have an easier time drifting off to sleep than those who do not. Those who exercise for 150 minutes per week were also shown to be twice as likely to have restful evenings. But, it is important to avoid strenuous exercise immediately before bed because it can increase heart rate and prevent you from falling asleep.

High-Fiber Diet

In addition to facilitating weight loss, eating healthily can help improve sleep. Increasing your fiber intake has been demonstrated to increase the amount of time you spend in the deepest state of sleep. The best way to ensure a restful night's sleep is to eat meals that help you relax and wind down before bedtime.

Avoid Caffeine

Because of its stimulating effects, caffeine can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Also, it may lessen the amount of deep sleep you experience. Caffeine intake seven hours before bedtime was observed to decrease sleep duration by one hour. Drink only non-caffeinated beverages such as water and tea. Sleep-inducing beverages include chamomile tea, warm milk, and other similar beverages.

Resist Alcohol

While a nightcap of your favorite alcoholic beverage might help you nod off, it is unlikely that you will stay asleep for long. The alcohol in a nightcap is metabolized while you sleep. After a while, the sedative effect wears off and is replaced by a rebound effect, which usually involves waking up in the middle of the night after having been asleep for a long time. If giving up alcohol altogether is unrealistic, at least try to limit your intake to one or two glasses before bed.

Calming Atmosphere

5 Reading Pillows For Studying In Bed

Those who enjoy studying in bed can benefit from reading pillows. It is possible that those who like to read, play video games or watch television in bed would benefit from them too. The following post defines reading pillows, discusses their uses and drawbacks, and provides a list of some of the best reading pillows.

What Are Reading Pillows?

A standard reading pillow has a high back and two side arms for added comfort and support. If you want to study in bed but need a little extra support, these pillows are a fantastic choice. It is also possible to use a wedge pillow to sit up in bed and read or watch television.

Uses of Reading Pillows

Having a reading pillow might help you maintain proper spinal and neck alignment as you read. This makes it much less difficult to maintain a pain-free posture when unwinding. Comfortable back, neck, and shoulder support is another benefit of reading pillows for individuals who are recovering from an injury or experiencing chronic pain.

Drawbacks of Reading Pillows

Most reading pillows in standard sizes are not wide enough to provide users with stable back support. They are filled with fiber which simply translates to reading pillows losing density over time, hence reducing the amount of support you receive.

Recommended Reading Pillows

• Foam Reading Pillow

Foam reading pillows are made with a polyester and velour cover and filled with polyurethane foam. This type of foam is better known as memory foam which easily conforms to your body shape, thus providing the arched support you need.

Contour reading pillows are another option that can conform to the shape of your body. Most are filled with hypoallergenic fiber which is great for those with allergies to natural fill materials. There are also some that come with a cotton cover which is easily machine washable.

• Back Support Reading Pillow

This type of reading pillow is much higher to support your neck. It is filled with memory foam, thus support is often soft and highly conforming. Most come with detachable covers made of a soft material like velvet.

The design of wedge reading pillows is to provide lumbar support. These pillows are highly recommended for those who constantly experience back pain after reading, watching TV, or studying in bed. You can also use this wedge reading pillow to support your tablet when you are lying down, hence some brands name them tablet reading pillows.

• Sharing Reading Pillow

These pillows are slightly longer than the standard reading pillows. They are ideal if you would like to watch TV, read, or study with another person in bed together. You would only need one pillow to support both of you.

With all purchases, we highly recommend buyers to carefully consider the dimensions of each reading pillow before ordering. Some reading pillows match the standard mattress sizes but others are odd-shaped and thus vary in measurements.

5 Incredible Benefits Of Microfiber Sheets

It can be difficult to find bedding that satisfies both your mattress requirements and personal preferences. The typical consumer could spend weeks debating which sheet set to buy because there are dozens of different fabrics to pick from.

The more luxurious but more expensive alternatives such as cotton or silk, are often enticing. Microfiber bedding, on the other hand, may provide the same levels of comfort, durability, and breathability as down comforters at a far more reasonable price. Bedding items like blankets, sheets, and pillowcases made from microfiber are readily available, and they are of very good quality.

Since it has so many advantages, microfiber bedding has become a popular choice. Let us take a look at some of the benefits of microfiber sheets to see if they are a great choice.

Reduced Allergies

Airborne allergens like dust, mold spores, pet dander, and pollen can get caught in fabric and cause irritation. It is possible that your bed is covered with a thin layer of allergens that will irritate your nose when you go to sleep.

Hence, microfiber is a great choice for those who are sensitive to these allergens. If you have young children, you might find that a microfiber sheet set is the best option because it is also stain-resistant.

Avoid Stains

As you will see, most of microfiber's essential benefits are due to the material's design. It is a synthetic textile woven by machines, thus the weave is tighter than it would be in natural fibers like cotton or linen.

With its taut construction, this item is less likely to become discolored or stained. Fluid droplets initially bead when they come into touch with microfiber. The amount of moisture that can penetrate or pass through is little if you wipe it off promptly.

Good Comfort

The strength of the technology used to make microfiber fitted sheets does not transfer to the finished product. It actually has a beautifully smooth and silky texture.

To fully appreciate the importance of comfort to rest, one need only consider the difficulty of sleeping on wool sheets in the middle of a hot summer. Sweat-soaked, itchy sheets are a recipe for misery. With microfiber sheets, this will not be the case.

Lasting Durability

As a result of normal use and aging, many sets of bedsheets eventually get holes or clumps of loose thread.

Microfiber could last far longer than cotton blankets and sheets do because of how much slower it wears out. It is difficult to locate a comparable material that is both soft and flexible and also has a high level of durability like microfiber.

Breezy Cleaning

Silk sheets are notoriously difficult to clean, while cotton tends to shrink in the dryer. Yet, similar issues do not exist with microfiber. Its weave instead serves to keep out dust mites, grime, and spills.

Because of this, washing microfiber sheets is a breeze. You can toss your sheets and comforter into the washing machine and forget about scraping at stains or rewashing smelly linens.

4 Types Of Pillows For Sleeping & How To Choose Them

It is important to know the different types of pillows and which ones are best for your sleeping position in order to avoid waking up with a sore neck regardless of how you like to hit the hay. If you are a side sleeper, for instance, you should try to get a pillow with a higher loft and a softer fill. Pillows that are medium-firm to medium-soft and have a lower loft are best for stomach sleepers because they allow the neck to be propped at a more natural posture. Those who want to sleep on their backs should look for a pillow that lets their neck be properly supported but not strained.

Read on to find out the many pillow options and which ones work best for your preferred sleeping posture.

Down Pillows

Made from the fluffy undercoat of a goose, duck, or swan, down pillows are incredibly comfortable. Since down pillows are frequently filled with a combination of feathers and down, you should check the down-to-feather ratio before making a purchase.

Suitable For: Sleeping on your side, back, or stomach will all be comfortable with down pillows. Because of its loft and fluffiness, down is a great option for stomach sleepers looking for a supportive pillow.

Down Alternative Pillows

Synthetic down-substitute pillows are an alternate option to the traditional down pillow. Most pillows that are not filled with down are stuffed with polyester that is designed to feel like down. Because of the use of polyester, down-substitute pillows are hypoallergenic and much more reasonably priced. They are a perfect substitute for a feather pillow if you prefer the softness of down but do not want to use real feathers.

Suitable For: Pillows made of synthetic materials are better for those who sleep on their back or side. While down-substitute pillows are great for back and side sleepers, their soft and fluffy nature makes them ideal for stomach sleepers as well.

Feather Pillows

Traditional feather pillows are filled with a supportive material that retains its shape well. For softness and support, nothing beats feathers as a filler material. Those who are allergic to down should check the composition of a feather pillow before buying it, as many of them are filled with a small quantity of down in addition to the feathers.

Suitable For: Sleeping on your back or side will be comfortable with these. Similarly to down pillows, feather pillows are soft and fluffy, but their higher loft makes them particularly well-suited for side and back sleepers.

Cotton Pillows

There has been a shift away from cotton pillows and toward those made of more modern synthetic materials, such as memory foam. However, traditional cotton pillows have benefits, especially for those with synthetic-material allergies. Also, cotton pillows are easily washed, so you can keep using them for longer.