We’ve all been there. Waking up to a screaming alarm, rolling over and groaning, “how is it 6 A.M. already? I feel like I got only 2 hours of sleep!”
It’s no secret that lack of sleep can really mess with your day. You roll out of bed and stumble into the bathroom, stubbing your toe on the side of the door. Standing in the mirror trying to apply makeup to eyes half shut, and finally getting your coffee only to realize that you’re probably going to need several more cups just to survive the morning!
The will to get out of the bed when you’ve only had a few hours of good sleep is only the beginning of what it will take to get through the day. Most of us are immediately feeling grumpy when we’re not well-rested. We feel sluggish, irritable, and tired, and even the simplest of everyday tasks feel like a real chore to get through!
We may be experiencing an achy back or muscles from tossing and turning, our bodies feel run down and our minds aren’t quite up to par either. We find we may not be as productive or easily able to focus on tasks throughout the day. Our minds and bodies resting every chance they get, ready to fall back asleep as we hunch over our desk trying to get through what seems like a mountain of work!
The truth is, not getting the right amount of sleep not only ruins your day, but it can wreak real havoc on your health too. Chronic sleep debt has been shown to negatively affect blood pressure, and it can make you prone to serious medical conditions such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and more. It doesn’t just effect your body either. Lack of sleep has also been linked to depression and anxiety as well.
You may find that even with doing all the right things to help yourself wind down at night (turning off the gadgets a few hours before bedtime, turning down the lights, enjoying something relaxing before bedtime, limiting distractions while you sleep, limiting caffeine, etc) you still find yourself having trouble sleeping at night. While there could be many causes (one of my biggest problems being able to shut my mind off at night), sometimes the solution can be as simple as sleeping in the correct bed.
While most of us already know that we sleep better on certain beds versus others, what you may not know is that the level of firmness of your bed absolutely plays a role on how well you sleep.
How to Find the Right Bed
If you’re a side sleeper or you require more pressure point relief and a more gentle support, a mattress that is soft will probably be the best fit for you. It’s also great for those who love to feel the feeling of sinking into their bed or like their bed to “hug” them while they sleep.
If you sleep on your side, as well as your back, a medium firm mattress like the Brooklyn Signature from Brooklyn Bedding is probably your best option. Medium size firmness also works great for those who occasionally sleep on their stomach as well, as it offers a bit more support than a soft mattress, but still works great for those who sleep on their sides too and could use a softer bed under their hips and shoulders. Medium size firmness offers both support and contour, which is probably why it’s usually a best seller and great for those with a bedmate who may not like a super soft or a super firm bed. A mattress with medium firmness is a great way to help partners achieve balance when it comes to choosing the right bed.
A firm mattress works best for those who mostly sleep on their stomach or back, as it offers just the right support without any “sinking” into the mattress. Firmer mattresses also offer more lumbar support and give a smoother, flatter surface for sleeping.
If you’re still unsure of which bed to choose, It pays to make a visit to a local mattress retailer to check out the different level of firmness and softness mattresses in person, and try it out for yourself! Often times, many many mattress companies will let you try out the bed in your home for 30 or more days to make sure it will be a great fit for you and help you sleep more sound and restfully at night!
Sometimes, just finding the right mattress for your body and lifestyle may be the best option for helping you sleep through the night, in order to wake up more rested and ready to take on the day. Remember, mattresses should be replaced about every 7-10 years, so if you’ve been sleeping on that bed since 2001, it’s definitely time to get out and find your new perfect match!
It’s also important to remember that as we age, our bodies change and often times so do our sleep positions. Keeping this in mind, we may be required to upgrade and update our mattress more often in order to find that perfect sleep balance for every stage of our life. We spend one-third of our lives in bed, so why not make it the most restful we possibly can?! That is a good investment in our health, many of us can get on board (or in bed) with!
Happy Sleeping!
What is your ideal bed? Have you found your perfect match or are you still searching for that perfect sleeping companion (bed!)? Let me know in the comments, I love hearing from you!
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