Sleep FAQ
Q.
Does the mattress affect how a person sleeps? |
A.
Yes. The mattress has the
potential either to encourage sleep or rob you of sleep. Whether your
mattress is a sleep friend or a sleep foe can determine how refreshed
you feel in the morning. If you're tossing and turning more at night or
if you're waking up feeling stiff or sore after a night's sleep, it
could be a sign that your current mattress is no longer the best for
you. Your body appreciates a comfortable, supportive mattress and will
let you know if it's not up to the task. |
Q.
How much sleep does the average person need? |
A.
The
average person needs 7-8 hours a night, but it differs for every
person. Some people may need as much as 10 hours a night and others
need much less. If you sleep longer on the weekends than during the
week, you probably aren't getting the sleep you need every night. |
Q.
What are some ways to get a better night's sleep? |
A.
A few key
things should help. Try going to bed and getting up at the same time
every day – even on the weekends. This will help keep your biological
clock in sync. Develop a sleep ritual by doing the same things each
night just before bed. Parents often establish a routine for their
kids, but it can help adults, too. A routine cues the body to settle
down for the night. Another hint: Unwind early in the evening so that
worries and distractions don't keep you from getting a good night's
sleep. Finally, create a restful sleep environment – sleep in a cool,
quiet, dark room on a comfortable, supportive mattress and foundation –
to get your best night's rest. If you're sleeping as much as you need,
but still find that you're sleepy during the day, you should consult
your doctor to see if you might have a medical condition interfering
with your sleep. |
Q.
What's the right amount of sleep? |
A.
It
differs for every person. Some people may need as much as 10 hours a
night and others need much less. The average person needs 7-8 hours a
night. If you find yourself sleepy during the day, you probably need
more sleep at night. Or if you sleep longer on the weekends than during
the week, you probably need more sleep during the week. |
Q.
What if there's no time for sleep? What can people do to sleep better? |
A.
Sleep
needs to be a health priority. It affects every aspect of your
day-to-day living. If you can't say "yes" to sleep, make sure to make
the most out of the sleep you get. Exercise regularly – people who
exercise a few times a week sleep better than people who don't. Also,
avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco products late in the day. All can
interfere with sleep. You need to create a restful sleep environment
so the sleep you get is restorative and uninterrupted. Sleep in a dark
room, on a comfortable, supportive mattress. Keep the room cool and
quiet. And if you find yourself too stressed to sleep, make a list of
all the things you need to do. Once you've made your to-do list, give
yourself permission to relax and sleep. You'll need the energy to
tackle your tasks in the morning. |
Q.
Can people make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping in on
weekends? |
A.
No. If you sleep more on the weekends than during the
week – and many of us do – this indicates that you have a "sleep debt."
A sleep debt accumulates when you don't get enough sleep. The only way
to reduce the debt is to sleep as much as your body needs every night.
Make sure you're getting the right quality of sleep as well. Sleep in a
cool, dark, quiet room on a comfortable, supportive mattress to get
your best night's sleep. |
Q.
What's the best mattress? |
A.
The
answer is a matter of individual taste. What's best for me may not be
best for you. When it comes to mattresses, there is no
one-size-fits-all. After all, we're all built differently and have
different comfort and support preferences, so why would the same
mattress be "best" for all of us?
|
Q.
How can you best shop for mattresses? |
A.
You need
to understand your needs before you start shopping. We recommend that
you think about your lifestyle. How has it changed since you last
bought a mattress and how might these changes affect your purchase? And
what about your body? Has it changed and how has this affected your
needs for support or your comfort preferences? Finally, think about
space needs and if you have a partner, take your partner with you to
shop for a new mattress. It's important to find something to meet both
your support needs and comfort preferences.
Armed
with this information, go to a mattress retailer you trust, someone who
will answer your questions with information. Then, take a "rest test"
to compare the feel of different mattresses by lying down on them. You
will quickly find some mattresses you like and others that do not meet
your personal comfort preferences and support needs. Through this
process of elimination, you can determine which mattresses you like
best.
|
Q.
How can you tell when a mattress is "used up?" |
A.
Your
body should tell you when it's time for a new one – but are you paying
attention? If you regularly wake up feeling stiff and sore or if you
aren't sleeping as well as you did a year ago, it may be time to
replace what you're sleeping on. At least twice a year, check for
visible signs of wear and tear and ask yourself if you're sleeping
better or worse than you did a year ago and if a new mattress might
improve your sleep. This regular sleep check-up will help ensure your
mattress is still doing its job. |
Q.
What should people do to prepare for buying a new mattress? |
A.
Assess
your needs before you start shopping. Think about your lifestyle. How
has it changed since you last bought a mattress and how might these
changes affect your purchase? And what about your body? Has it changed
and how has this affected your need for support or your comfort
preferences? Finally, think about space needs and take your partner
with you (if you have one) when you shop for your mattress. You need to
find something to meet both your support needs and comfort preferences.
|
Q.
What is the best way to try a mattress? |
A.
The best
way to try a mattress is to take the "SLEEP Test":
Select a mattress
Lie down in your sleep
position
Evaluate the level of
comfort and support
Educate yourself about
each selection
Partners should try each
mattress together
Don't be embarrassed. You don't think twice about test driving a car,
and you shouldn't think twice about "SLEEP Testing" a mattress. Lie
down on the mattress for several minutes and assess how well it
provides support and how comfortable it is for you. The only way to
tell if a mattress is right for you is to lie down on it.
|
Q.
How often should mattresses be replaced? How long do they last? |
A.
Mattresses
wear out on different timetables. This is due to numerous factors such
as how the mattress was used (guest room, master bedroom, doubled as a
trampoline for the kids), whether it was cared for properly and/or the
quality of the mattress itself. Other important considerations are how
personal comfort levels or a person's lifestyle and body may have
changed over the years. We encourage you to think about these things
and ask yourself the following questions:
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