March 22, 2018

Bed in a Box: Mattress of the Future

Sleeping surfaces have come a long way since gathering some prickly straw or branches under layer of softer leaves or animal skin in the Neolithic era. Beds were intended to be raised off the ground away from insects, dirt and the coldness of the soil. In Ancient Rome, bags of cloth were stuffed with straw, reeds, wool, or feathers for the wealthy.

A Bit of History

It wasn’t until the early 19th century when coils were introduced for bedding and so the structured model we know of today was born. In 1865, Harrods sold a water bed resembling large water bottles via mail order. What a concept! The 1940s raised the curtain on the futon to make its debut, and the 1960s saw the waterbed make exciting strides in the industry. The 1980s saw the inflatable mattress rise to the top while 1999 was a banner year for the new format of the queen-sized bed!

Invention of the innerspring mattress

Source: Leggett & Platt

The 21st century has continued to reveal the speed in which progress has been made in the sleep industry where comfort, choice and science are priority. Technology has stepped into the bedroom where on-demand comfort level requests are instantly achieved with the click of a button. Smart phones tell us how well we sleep or remind us we need to do better. What can possibly beat all this?

Convenience can now be added to that list of priorities. Young professionals to seniors want to spend more time on pleasurable activities so if there is a mundane task like buying a new mattress that can be minimized to just a few clicks on a computer, they’re on it.

And Then Came the Bed-In-A-Box

The bed-in-a-box is the newest trend in mattress purchasing. As the word entails, it comes rolled up in a box the size of a small apartment-sized fridge: it all depends on the size of bed you purchase. They are available in most standard sizes like twin to king so your current sheets and comforters don’t need to be changed. They are available in most foam and gel materials, and fabrics that meet your specific preferences.

Just because your mattress can now come in a box, quality and comfort have not been compromised. With daily advancements in foam technologies, only the best material is used to withstand the rolling up of your mattress and give you the comfort you expect! How cool is that? Oh, and speaking of cool, for those who need, there is a cool gel technology available too for those who prefer it cooler than toasty. Win! Win!

Quick and easy purchases with a speedy delivery and return policy that would be the envy of many stores are at your fingertips. Great warranties are attached to your purchase, and carry a 90 to 100-night trial guarantee. If it’s not meeting your specific expectations, pack it up and bring it back!

If you have a spare room that can be transformed into a guest room, or your youngest child is ready for a grown-up bed, consider bed-in-a-box for easy shopping, delivery and set up!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

March 22, 2018

What It’s Like to Take a Sleep Study?

What It’s Like to Take a Sleep Study

Polysomnography is a sleep study conducted overnight in a sleep lab which measures brain activity, eye movements, blood pressure, heart rate, body movements and much more while you sleep. The results would determine if you suffer from a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or other sleep-related issues which can be detrimental to your health.

If you suffer from snoring, gasping for air while you sleep, or extreme daytime sleepiness then, you are the perfect candidate to participate in a sleep study. Sleep disorders not only affect your quality of sleep at night but your awake hours as well.

One of the most disruptive daytime symptoms I recall my partner suffering from was his excessive sleepiness. It would happen at the worst times like driving, at work, at dinnertime with the family, and other events. He would miss out on so much in his life because he had the constant need to sleep. Irritability became his normal which affected the whole family, and as such he resisted for a long time to see a specialist. Only when his medical practitioner pointed out to him that his blood pressure was on a steady rise, his cholesterol levels were also elevated, and he looked 20 years older than he should have, did he decide to take control of his health.

There was a choice of 3 different sleep study tests that were offered to him, namely:

1) Polysomnogram, which as mentioned earlier, tests you while you sleep,

2) Maintenance Wakefulness Test (MWT), which measures how alert you are during the day, and

3) Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), also conducted during the day which measures how sleepy you get during the day while being tested, and can also measure if the equipment used to help your disorder is yielding results.

What It’s Like to Take a Sleep Study_CPA (Large)

He chose the Polysomnogram and made the arrangements at the Sleep Clinic in a nearby hospital. He prepared as though he were going on an overnight trip, and once he arrived, they settled him into a small room that looked like your average bedroom. To get an accurate reading, no preparations are to be done beforehand as the technicians need to measure all the usual steps you take to get ready for bed. He was eventually hooked up to a variety of wires and electrodes all over his body and face, including a microphone to measure the sound of his snoring. Another technician began her work behind the glass wall.

As he slept, the technician watched all the readings including blood pressure, body movements, heart rate and recorded irregularities. By the morning, he woke up, signed some papers, and came home. Several days later, his medical practitioner advised him that he indeed was suffering from sleep apnea and recommended he uses a CPAP machine which delivers a stream of compressed air via a mask, every night.

Although it took some getting used to, just knowing what was affecting him and seeing a measurable improvement in his health, was well worth the trouble. Now that he has more energy during the day, he has made some lifestyle changes including, weight management with a healthier diet, and more exercise. Other recommendations for improving his sleep quality now include an adjustable bed which reduces the amount of time he needs the CPAP. The MLST is showing that he is getting sufficient sleep and his awake hours are better than ever!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

March 16, 2018

How Does Your Sleep Awareness Size Up?

If we sleep an average of 8 hours a day, we are then sleeping about one-third of our life. So, if we were to live to 75 years of age, we would be sleeping for a total of 25 years. That said, how much do we really know about sleep? I did some investigating and discovered 9 interesting facts about sleep and how they can bring awareness to your current experience and improve the quality of your sleep.

Did you know?

1) There is a term called “sleep hygiene” which is a set of practices that we should all do to ensure a good night’s sleep. These include avoiding caffeine and other stimulants close to our bedtime, as well as rich and fatty foods as late-night snacks.

Winding down our day an hour before bedtime with a warm bath, restorative yoga or light reading helps us transition from a busy day and evening to sleep time.

2) After a good night’s sleep, we retain and process information much easier. Our memory is sharper and tasks can be completed quickly and efficiently.

3) There is no such thing as catching up on lost sleep. The only thing that we can do when we have not been sleeping sufficiently is to have several consecutive nights of restorative sleep so that our mind and body can rebalance.

4) Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in our body that signals sleep time. Using devices with light-emitting screens up to bedtime disrupts the production of melatonin, and will affect the quality of our sleep. Shutting down all devices and using low lights in our bedroom will help regulate this hormone and bring on sleep much quicker.

5) Parents are known to lose anywhere between 400 and 700 hours of sleep in their baby’s first year. New parents are better served to take time to sleep while their baby sleeps, or at least, have helped so that they have some restorative time.

6) Insomnia can cause impairment similar to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Never underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep!

7) Poor sleep habits can interfere with our health and have an impact on weight, blood pressure, blood glucose levels as well as proper recovery after injury or stressful times.

8) Research has found a link between body temperature and the brain’s sleep cycle. When keeping our bedrooms at a low 20 degrees Celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit) while we sleep, helps us get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Room temperature and quality of sleep

9) If you snore, you could be suffering from sleep apnea which is a sleep disorder where you stop breathing repeatedly throughout the night. When the muscles in the back of the throat are very lax, they can drop into the breathing tube and inhibit proper breathing which causes you to constantly wake up.

If you wake up feeling more tired than when you went to bed after 8 hours of sleep, you could be suffering from sleep apnea. Long-term effects of ignored symptoms can cause multiple health issues. Seeking medical advice to establish a treatment plan would be essential.

I have suffered from insomnia occasionally but now I have learned that it is all in my control when I review my sleep habits and my sleep hygiene practices. Insomnia and other sleep disorders affect not only me or you but all those in our lives, our work-life and our play time.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

March 13, 2018

Top 5 Reasons to Sleep on an Adjustable Bed

Think back when you were comfortably relaxing on a beach lounging chair. Do you remember all those positions at your fingers’ tips so that you can tweak to that perfect position for a relaxing and comfortable nap? What if I told you that you and your partner can experience that same comfort every night while you sleep?

Adjustable beds are not a new phenomenon, but the technology we have today is quite spectacular. Your adjustable bed doesn’t need to look or feel like your beach chair or a hospital bed, but a luxurious, and customizable bed system that can fit into your current bed frame and décor. Consider this: A King size frame holding two independent twin XL mattresses with their very own adjustable features for your unique sleeping needs.

Why should you and your partner sleep on an adjustable bed? Let me tell you about the benefits, not only for your health but also for your overall well-being.

1) Relief from joint pain and inflammation

Medication, exercise and diet alone cannot relieve symptoms from arthritis and other joint-related pain. If you sleep for 7 hours, that’s a very long time to be lying in an uncomfortable position no matter how much foam covers your mattress. With an adjustable bed, you can adjust your bed to that perfect position where all your body parts are comfortably supported to sleep better and wake up refreshed.

2) Relief from snoring

How many times have you heard people say they couldn’t sleep because their partner sounded like a freight train? If you or your partner suffers from snoring especially when extremely stressed at work and during allergy season, raising the upper part of the bed on those nights to that perfect angle where constriction in the throat is alleviated, you will both get a great night’s sleep.

Reading in Bed with Adjustable BEd

3) Enjoy reading or working in bed

If one of your favourite things to do, especially in bed, is to read although your partner might pull out the laptop and do some work, either way, you can experience your uniquely perfect position on your bed that allows for support and comfort.

4) Relief from reflux from a late-night snack

Snacking at bedtime is not always recommended as our body will be busy digesting instead of slowing down for sleep. When you get your snack attack, you can raise the upper part of your bed to allow gravity to help in an easier digestion process and avoid acid reflux symptoms.

5) Relief for asthma and sinus congestion sufferers

By adjusting your bed to that perfect angle, you can sleep better with chronic sinus congestion while improving your breathing. If you or your partner occasionally suffers from asthma, a simple bed adjustment will help relieve pressure on the lungs and heart creating a more restful sleep.

There are many more benefits to sleeping on an adjustable bed but these top 5 are surely the most common reasons to make the investment!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

February 12, 2018

Bed-Wetting: 4 Easy Solutions for Worried Parents

Most children will be out of diapers and training pants by the age of 3 or 4; however, not surprisingly, not all kids follow the same schedule. Some may need more time, whereas others less. Every child is unique, and, despite what experts may say, your child will let you know when it’s time. (more…)

February 11, 2018

Don’t Lose Sleep Over Daylight Savings

“Spring Forward, Fall Back.” Twice a year we hear these reminders to adjust our clocks to the changing seasons and to make better use of the amount of natural daylight.

It was Benjamin Franklin in the late 1700s that proposed the concept of Daylight Savings Times (DST) but was not really implemented until 1895. It was found that as sunlight disappeared sometime around 4pm, and people were still out and about, the potential for accidents occurring in the dark was higher. (more…)

January 24, 2018

Natural Remedies to Fight Insomnia

Insomnia is a crippling sleep disorder that not only affects your downtime, but your entire day as well. People with insomnia typically display one or more of these symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep despite exhaustion, waking up often during the night and trouble going back to sleep. (more…)

January 11, 2018

Why You Need a Mattress Protector

Some people confuse the pillowtop mattress variety as having a built-in mattress protector. The extra layer you see floating on top of the mattress was designed to add comfort and extra softness. These toppers, although they may offer a unique feel and design from your traditional mattress surface, do not offer any added protection from sweat, germs and other allergens!

Mattress protectors form a barrier around your mattress, shielding it from allergens including dust mites which snack on dead skin cells, liquids creating mould, and a variety of stains. Available in a range of types and sizes, mattress protectors surely help protect your investment.

To check if you need a mattress protector, ask yourself these 5 questions.

1. Did you recently purchase a new mattress?

You will surely extend the years you will enjoy your mattress by adding a level of protection over your new purchase.

There are many varieties of protectors from a full zippered bag over your mattress to a simple top protector with elastic bands that slip over the corners.

Check our previous article to find out about all the mattress protector options.

Motherhood and mattress protector (Large)

2. Do you have a young child who loves to crawl into your bed with his sippy cup, or perhaps a nursing baby who spits up at every feeding?

The natural state of children is not clean and tidy but messy and sticky! Don’t discourage your children from jumping into your bed with food and drinks, just add a mattress protector with a plasticized backing which prevents any spills from touching the surface of the mattress.

Keeping extra sheets around for that quick change will restore your bed to being clean and fresh, just like mom and dad like it!

3. Do you suffer from allergies?

Did you know that there are around 10 million dust mites found in the average mattress and that a protector is the best defence?

People who suffer from allergies require taking extra precautions about what products they use, identifying air-borne irritants that linger in their home, and how sleeping on a mouldy surface can only exacerbate the problem.

Using a mattress protector designed specifically for allergy sufferers is essential if you want to get a good night’s sleep.

Pets Sleeping with Huma (Large)

4. Do your pets love to snuggle up with you after who knows where they’ve been?

Pets are carriers of all kinds of insects, as well as mud, and shrubbery in abundance and they will joyfully share them all with you.

The longer your pet’s hair, the more they will hold and drop onto your bed so adding that extra level of protection will keep your mattress, clean and dry – although your sheets will probably need to be changed after your pet gets a bath!

5. Did you know that you perspire while sleeping and that some people sweat much more than others?

By using a polyurethane mattress protector, you will help avoid those large yellow stains on your mattress, keeping it clean and dry.

Washing your bed sheets and mattress protector more regularly will be helpful in keeping everything fresh and comfortable.

Protectors are easy to remove and wash along with your sheets on a weekly basis. A quick vacuum of the surface of your mattress while you wait for the protector to dry, and you will be sleeping in extreme freshness without much effort!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

December 28, 2017

How to Relieve Back Pain When You Just Bought A New Mattress

Congratulations! You just got a new mattress and you can’t wait to try out. It is firm in all the right places, supportive where you need it most, and it has the top-of-the-line technology. Finally, your back will get some much-needed relief and a better quality of life will soon be within your grasp. So why does your back still hurt as it did sleeping on the old mattress? (more…)

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