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Couches are the focal point of everyday living. They are the most used and favorite piece of furniture in the home. It is where you crash after the hectic schedule of the day, and it can also be your temporary “work from home” stations, aka a much more comfortable one. A couch allows you to lounge on it for bingeing TV sessions or to curl up with a good book. It invites a comfortable time and easily doubles up as a party seater for those “having friends over” times. Hence, it is no wonder then that a lot of thought and consideration goes into getting the perfect couch home.

Unfortunately, it is easier said than done. Couch shopping can be relentless with a large variety to choose from. Fortunately, we now have online shopping convenience and reviews to take the help of. You can now choose between brands, types, colors, materials, construction, and all the other things you want from the ease of your home. This review will take you through tone such online sofa shopping brand, the popular and high in demand Home Reserve Couch. After reading through the finer points, you will be better able to decide on whether this couch makes the cut or is better suited to be struck off your list.

How Does it Fare?

To say it succinctly, then the Home Reserve Couch is a wonderful product from a wonderful brand that gives you an awesome blend of homey and formal tones. If you want to be introduced to a fantastic brand that pretty much nails it all, then Home Reserve is the couch for you.

The couch is super comfy with good back support. You will not have to deal with painful neck cramps or upper body stiffness with this couch. It has a good shape to nicely hold up your upper body when seated. The couch also does not sink in, making it difficult to sit on it or get up but remain solidly firm, giving you a good comfortable seat. The shipping service is seamless with all the boxes arriving together, and the assembly process is nothing to be scared of either.

The sofa is a lovely product that will add to your lifestyle immensely. It does not sag and holds up well under constant use. With the pandemic still going strong, it is essential to get a sofa that does not shy from the constant rigors of the day, and this one from Home Reserve fits that bill perfectly.

Pros and Cons

Inside Out Picture

Design and Customization

Home Reserve couches are very high on customization options. You get to choose between 8 different types of sofa type. Each features a different design for arm styles, legs: seatback, cushion fillings, and overall curves. If you want the foam cushions, then you will have to choose between their Brook collection and the Ray collection. The rest of the sofa styles come with fiber-filled cushions. Similarly, the different sofa collections have different armrests with some curving and low and some straight and high. Just make up your mind which style suits you best and then process with the other choices of upholstery fabric and color.

Once you are done with the sofa style choice, the next that comes in choosing which fabric you want and whether you want one that is just machine washable or one that is both machines washable and stain-resistant, there are plenty of choices to keep you nice and busy in this segment. You have all types of colors in both the fabric choices ranging from neutral base colors like cream, beige, and gray tones to more bold statement types of colors like reds and yellows.

There is good news for those that love leather. This sofa is also available in leather fabric style, and it comes with color choices too. You can get the leather upholstery in 6 different styles and textures. Depending on which sofa style you pick and which color option you go in for, the sofa can be a formal-looking piece with curves and flair attached, or it can be a casual-looking piece that is endearing with its understated elegance.

Construction and Material

The Home Reserve Couch is proud to be 100% made in the USA brand. It sources all the materials used in the construction of its products responsibly and from within America. They are very outspoken and proud of the fact that all their raw materials, the entire supply chain, as well as the manufacturing process and labor, are from the country itself.

The frames of the sofa are made from standard wood. These are processed from high yielding and fast-growing trees, thereby helping in reducing the damage to older and more environment precious forests. The wood comes under the “Sustainable Forest Initiative” and meets all the certification requirements of the same.

The cushions and seats are made from recycled foam whenever possible. The back cushions use recycled fiber made from used consumer plastic bottles. This makes the brand very sustainable in its production, and it is heartening to know that you are supporting an environmentally friendly endeavor.

Size

This couch is a conventional three-seater from Home Reserve and good for the average American family size. It is also perfect for couples or singles looking for a nice lounging sofa to complete their popcorn with movie marathon nights. It features a dimension of 79″ (L)x 36″ (B)x 34″ (H).

The leg clearance space is ample with 18″, which makes the couch very comfortable even for an above-average tall person. The seat width of 21″ makes it a very comfortable deep-seated couch good enough to comfortably seat a wide girth.

On any good day, the couch can easily accommodate three adults seating with a kid or two crammed in. Or you can have two adults lounging on opposite ends. With kids, this space is a winner, and the couch can easily take on 5 to 6 kids.

If you want a bigger sofa, then you can go in for the sectional that is essentially the couch with added seats and in an L-shape.

Shipping and Assembly

The couch ships very promptly within 15 working days from the date of order. The delivery takes about 2 to 4 days from the shipment date.

It is shipped in corrugated cardboard packaging that contains 43% recycled fibers in its construction. The couch is shipped in 7 different boxes. The good thing is that they are all shipped together, so you get all the boxes in one go. The boxes individually don’t weigh too much, so moving them inside the house should not be an issue. If you need to carry them up a flight of stairs, then maybe try enlisting some help with friends or get your significant other involved.

The different pieces fit together easily with connectors in place, and you will require a screwdriver to assemble the pieces. It takes about 2 to 3 hours to get the couch straight and ready to use.

Upkeep and Maintenance

The upkeep of the couch is easy, especially if you opt for the stain-resistant fabric choice. All the fabric choices are machine washable, so you just have to unzip the covers from the cushions and throw them in the machine for a good clean. Spot cleaning is advised for those accidental spills that are inevitable in daily life.

The leather upholstery is spot clean only with soap, water, and some elbow grease. You can also vacuum the couch to get the sheen of a fresh out of the box couch.

Fine Print

Like other brands, Home Reserve also gives you 30 days trial period. However, their trial period is a little different. You need to opt for the trial, and you only get a one-seater segment of the couch to try. If you are satisfied with it, then you can order the complete set; if not, you can return it. This makes it both simple and convenient.

Apart from the trial period, you get a 10-year warranty on the frames of the couch. There is also a renewability option wherein you can easily refurbish the foam, fabric, and frame to make the couch as good as new.

Bottom Line

You will not be disappointed with the Home Reserve Couch. There is plenty to recommend about this couch and very little to criticize. The brand has kept up with environmental issues by manufacturing responsibly and churn out products that rank high on comfort and affordability. Their trial period option is a little lacking when you have other brands offering the full sofa trial, but it is also more convenient.

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The Goodnyte mattress is a 3 layer foam mattress that has a unique feel that’s sure to please just about every sleeper. A queen size Goodnyte retails for $900. It is made in the USA and comes with a 100-night trial where you can try it out in the comfort of your home for 100 nights and if it’s not right for you, it’s a free return. I have now reviewed hundreds of foam mattresses and I think that the Goodnyte is a solid choice for sleepers looking for a slightly softer feel that really addresses pressure points.

Overview of the Goodnyte Mattress

Here’s a video overview of the Goodnyte mattress which includes a look inside where you can see how each layer reacts and some of my bowling ball tests where you can get an idea of how well it isolates motion.

Ordering and Unboxing your Goodnyte Mattress

As you can see below, this mattress comes compressed in a box and will ship directly to your doorstep. The mattress isn’t terribly heavy either so it is possible for one person to get everything setup.

Here’s what it looks like roll packed in the box and compressed. To set up, you just pull it out of the box and careful cut open the plastic packaging and the mattress will begin to take in air and inflate.

Here’s the Goodnyte out of the box ready to be opened. You can see the bottom of the mattress where there is the zipper system for the stretch knit cover.

This is what the mattress looks like just minutes after opening. As you can see its fully expanded and ready to sleep on. While the look of the mattress won’t’ affect the feel, I do like how it looks and it is an indicator of quality construction overall.

Construction of the Goodnyte Mattress

The top 2” layer is Endure, a polyurethane foam with a density of 2.5 lb/cubic ft.  This layer contributes to the comfort and coolness of the Goodnyte mattress.  The middle 2″ layer is a high support polyurethane foam with a density of 3.75.  The bottom 6” core layer is conventional polyurethane foam with a density of 1.8.

How Much Does the Goodnyte Mattress Cost?

Below are the current prices of the mattress before any discounts.

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My Goodnyte Mattress Findings

Overall this mattress skews just slightly soft in comparison to similar 3 layer foam mattresses. What you get is great contouring, breathability and quick recovery. Here’s a picture of my 14 lb. bowling ball on the mattress to illustrate sinkage.

I found that this mattress recovers quickly for a foam mattress and doesn’t sleep hot. When it comes to pressure relief, it’s really hard to beat foam and this is where the Goodnyte shines.

My Goodnyte Mattress Recommendation

The Goodnyte is a great choice for people that are noticing more shoulder or hip soreness when they wake up. You should also consider this mattress is you find yourself frequently changing positions at night. You really have nothing to lose with giving the Goodnyte a try especially if you are still searching for a soft yet supportive mattress with no motion transfer.

Learn more about the Goodnyte Mattress

The endocannabinoid system is present in humans as well as other mammals. This system comprises neurotransmitters, which are known as endocannabinoids, and protein receptors. It is these receptors that react with plant-based cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, which are present in hemp products. THC is responsible for the psychoactive high when you use cannabis while CBD does not produce a high; rather it has a soothing and calming effect.

The endocannabinoid system is quite complex, but researchers know that it regulates several physiological and cognitive processes, including sleep, mood, pain, and appetite. In fact, the endocannabinoid system is essential for homeostasis in humans. Research is still ongoing to find out how the endocannabinoid system affects sleep cycles.

The Function of the Endocannabinoid System

Homeostasis means that the body is in total equilibrium – the physiological and cognitive processes in the body are functioning the way they should and hence, the body is completely in balance. When one or more of the physiological and cognitive processes are not balanced, the endocannabinoid system comes into play. It helps to restore the balance.

Based on this function of the system, you can say that the endocannabinoid system works to regulate the physiological and cognitive processes that are associated with homeostasis. These processes include sleep cycle, circadian rhythm, appetite, digestion, pain, responses to stress, body temperature, thermoregulation, fertility, pregnancy and pre- and post-natal development. In addition, the endocannabinoid system also regulates mood and controls motor learning and skills, and memory.

It is prudent to remember that the endocannabinoid system can regulate one process without having an effect on other physiological and cognitive processes. As a result, it helps the body attain homeostasis quicker.

In order to restore homeostasis, the endocannabinoid system interacts with receptors, enzymes, and hormones. Once the body attains homeostasis, the resultant byproducts are metabolized and degraded in the body. Hence, these molecules (byproducts) cannot affect other processes occurring in the body.

Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system consists of endocannabinoids, receptors that these cannabinoids bind to and enzymes that break down the endocannabinoids after they restore homeostasis. The two primary endocannabinoids in the body are anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. The former plays a role in the generation of nerve cells in the brain and can also enhance mood and minimize anxiety. That is why it is known as the bliss molecule. Anandamide is also found in copious amounts in the body after performing strenuous exercise. On the other hand, 2-arachidonoylglycerol helps to regulate the circulatory system.

These endocannabinoids are difficult to study as they quickly get broken down by the endocannabinoid enzymes unlike other neurotransmitters, which tend to last longer in the blood or are stored for use later on.

When it comes to cannabis, the two most common cannabinoids in this plant is CBD and THC. These phytocannabinoids react with the same receptors that endocannabinoids react with, but this interaction is different. For instance, THC and anandamide bind to the same endocannabinoid receptors and produce a feeling of calm and relaxation. But, THC does not get broken down by the enzyme that metabolizes anandamide. Hence, it stays longer in the bloodstream, causing persistent high in people who consume it.

Endocannabinoids cannot function without the presence of cannabinoid receptors, and the most common receptors within the endocannabinoid system are CB1 and CB2. These two receptors were first discovered in the 1990s. The CB1 receptors, although present across the body, are mainly found in the CNS and the brain. The CB2 receptors are found in the immune system, digestive system, and peripheral nervous system.

The phytocannabinoids react with CB1 and CB2 receptors, but in a different manner. Hence, they produce different effects. Scientific studies show the CBD tends to produce therapeutic effects without the high that is associated with THC. Hence, it promotes a feeling of calm and relaxation without the person feeling high. It is this reaction to CBD that treats sleep issues, including insomnia.

Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase is the enzyme that breaks down anandamide. However, the enzyme decomposes quickly in the body to prevent over-activity from high levels of anandamide. When you consume CBD, it inhibits the Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase enzyme. As a result, the breakdown of anandamide occurs slowly. This increases the levels of endocannabinoids in the body, allowing the body to get relaxed. When the body is calm, without any feeling of anxiety and stress, a person can go to sleep more easily.

Anandamide is not the only receptor that the CBD binds with. According to researchers, it binds with receptors that are not even part of the endocannabinoid system. So, if you take full-spectrum CBD tincture or oil, it will contain many more cannabinoids other than CBD. Each of these cannabinoids will have their own reaction and health benefits.

Researchers are still trying to ascertain how the endocannabinoid system affects sleep and circadian rhythm. At the moment, do know that the system has a profound effect on different parts of the brain and the body which are essential to enjoy a restful night’s sleep. Researchers also know that if a person has a deficiency of endocannabinoids in the body, it has an adverse effect on the person’s sleep and circadian rhythm.

The Bottom Line

The endocannabinoid system is relatively new to researchers and studies are ongoing to find out how it affects biological processes in the body. Nonetheless, researchers already know that the endocannabinoid system does impact sleep. If you are suffering from insomnia or you do not get a good night’s sleep, it may be prudent to use CBD oil that is organically grown and does not show signs of contaminants and pollutants. It will enable you to ensure that the CBD binds to the right receptors and promote a feeling of calm. When the biological processes are in the right balance, you will enjoy good sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and energized. You may want to consult your physician if you are taking any other medication before you begin using CBD oil, as it may have contraindications.

FDA DISCLOSURE

The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

The quality of the device is great. It feels expensive. The quality extends to the case and charger that’s included. You can tell they paid attention to the details.

Cloudten Profile

Cloudten doesn’t provide much information about the history of their company on their website, but they do provide quite a bit of information regarding their mission, materials, and process. Their goal is to provide the most comfortable and relaxing sheets to the busy bee in all of us—the bed should be a place of the utmost restful relaxation. They believe that since we spend ⅓ of our lives sleeping, one should invest in the place where they spend that time—the bed should get just as much attention to detail as any other aspect of our lives; cloudten will give you the opportunity to experience luxury at a fraction of the cost. They mainly produce their sheets using sustainable, world-class, long staple Egyptian cotton, which are assembled using either a percale or sateen weave (which designates the thread pattern and orientation). Their name seems to come from the idea that being on “cloud nine” is exhibiting/feeling extreme satisfaction and happiness, therefore being on “cloud ten” would be a step beyond that.

Cloudten Amora Construction

Cloudten sent me their Amora Sateen Sheet Set to review. The sheets came in a white shipping box with “cloudten” printed on the narrow sides. When I opened the parcel, I was met with a box that matched the blinding white of the outer cardboard. At first glance, the sheet box looked like any other old cardboard box, but upon closer inspection—at a slight angle—raised letters spelled out “c l o u d t e n” across the front.

One of the edges sported a “Cten” logo, a plain white seal, and a white ribbon pull tab—under the flap were concealed magnets that held the package closed.

Inside, the sheets were neatly wrapped in tissue paper with a nice sticker, a postcard, and a non-personalized letter with nothing but the word “hello.” on the front—period and all.

The sheets themselves feel very similar to the Gryphon sheets I reviewed last, but they have that stiffness that cotton sheets often exhibit. The sheets have a sateen weave, so they’re a bit reflective—a bit more than the Gryphon set.

The seams are strong and the fabric doesn’t give when pulled. Overall, the build of the sheets is very solid and impressive.

I followed the instructions on the tag to run the sheets through a cold wash and a low heat tumble dry.

My Cloudten Amora Findings

The fitted sheet only shrunk by 0.75 inches (measured from pocket corner to pocket edge) which is pretty insignificant considering how prone cotton is to shrinkage—the same shrinkage seen in my Gryphon review. Cloudten is kind enough to sew “short top side” into the fitted sheet seam, which honestly might be one of the best—and simplest—ideas I’ve seen from a bedding company, yet.

Fitted sheets are like USB cords: you’ll never get them oriented the correct way on the first go—that’s a proven fact. So say goodbye to spinning fitted sheets around and around trying to figure out which side is the long side and which goes on the bottom.

The sheets were pretty wrinkly coming out of the wash and after over a week of sleeping on them, they still retained the distinct wrinkling.

The flat sheet is a good size, giving me ample fabric to tuck under my mattress for optimal security and comfort.

The pillow shams open with a horizontal hole in the back which makes pillow-stuffing a bit challenging—the resulting pillows have stretched shams and squished cushions.

My Cloudten Amora Recommendation

Cloudten claims that they produce the world’s greatest sheets, but I think that’s a pretty strong claim to make. Regardless of whether you’re a nap-enthusiast, a late-starter, or a deep dozer, cloudten’s sheets will give you a fantastic night’s sleep, and they give Gryphon a run for its money, but I don’t know if they’re better. Gryphon clocks in at $149 for a 4-piece sateen sheet set and cloudten comes in at $180 for their version of the same collection. Gryphon offers 7 colors, while cloudten offers only 5—blush and sky blue are the colors not available through cloudten. Despite being $30 more expensive than the Gryphon set, cloudten prides themselves on maintaining the same price across the board—all sizes cost the same—but that is a bit strange to me because buying a set of twin sheets for $180 seems like highway robbery. Even Gryphon’s California King size sheets are $10 less than cloudten’s sateen set—they claim the equal pricing is meant to make purchasing sheets easier and more fair, but regardless of their intentions, their sheets stand firmly on the more expensive side of the market.

Both companies offer a 100-night risk-free trial—just in case you’re not satisfied—but that’s where things get interesting. When you try a set of Gryphon sheets for 100 days and realize that for some reason you don’t like them, I’m not sure where they go—they don’t say. On the other hand, when you try cloudten sheets for 100 days and realize that you don’t like them, the company donates them. In addition to donating returns, each purchase funds a blanket for a terminally ill child through Project Linus. So ultimately, a purchase from cloudten will benefit more than just your night’s sleep, which brings a bit more perspective to the higher pricing. The cloudten Amora Sateen sheet set is fabulous, cozy, soft, smooth, and just the right amount of warm, but I wouldn’t go as far as calling them the world’s greatest sheets.

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Everything You Need To Know About Night Terrors

Have you ever found your child screaming awake in the middle of the night, and wondered what could be wrong?

If you answered yes to that, you are not alone. Several parents around the world still don’t quite understand what makes their children wake up screaming and crying from sleep in the middle of the night when nothing is seemingly wrong. What worries parents more is the fact that the children have no memory of what made them wake up agitated.

Most people assume such occurrences to be nightmares. But there is something more common than that behind these episodes: night terrors.

What Are Night Terrors?

Unlike nightmares, night terrors are actually a sleep disorder, mostly affecting children below the age of 12. During a night terror episode, the child may still be partly asleep, and not be aware of their surroundings.

Although night terrors are most common in children, it also affects a small percentage of adults. While children grow out of night terrors as they get older, adults may need help to get better.

How To Recognize Night Terrors

Some of the most common symptoms of night terrors are the same as that of nightmares. These include:

• Sudden awakening from sleep
• Crying or screaming
• Sweating
• Rapid heartbeats
• Fear of going back to sleep
• Harsh breathing

While children are more likely to forget these episodes, adults tend to remember them. This is because children don’t fully awaken during a sleep terror episode, but adults wake up completely, allowing them to remember what happened. Quite often, night terrors are accompanied by sleepwalking (also called somnambulism). This creates more danger for the person by increasing the risk of injury and accidents.

What Causes Night Terrors?

No definite cause has yet been found for night terrors, but a significant factor might be sleep deprivation or too much stress.

In children, a very important cause of night terrors is an unhealthy environment at home. When a child is constantly affected by stress and conflict, it may result in sleep disorders like night terrors.

These episodes can also occur in children because of their underdeveloped nervous system. This causes the fight or flight mode to be activated at wrong times, resulting in night terrors. Other underlying causes may include illnesses like high fever, tiredness, or head injuries.

In adults, the causes of night terrors can be more severe, and often accompanied by other disorders like anxiety or insomnia. Night terrors in adults can also be a result of post traumatic stress disorder or drug abuse.

While childhood night terrors usually go away with age, adults need medical help to get better since there are underlying causes that need to be treated.

Treatments For Night Terrors

Sleep terrors in children are fairly easy to treat since most of the time they are not caused by any underlying condition. The most important treatment for childhood night terrors is a comfort. Being with the child and providing comfort and reassurance is usually enough to pacify them and help them fall back asleep.

Parents must be aware of any unusual symptoms they notice about their children’s night terrors. This may include a particular pattern of these episodes, or any underlying causes like anxiety, illnesses, or injury.

Doctors treat childhood night terrors by either therapy, medication, or by suggesting relaxation techniques.

Therapy includes talking to the patient, finding out underlying conditions, and suggesting coping mechanisms to manage stress. If any particular event has caused stress and anxiety in the child, then the doctor will try to find it out by talking to the patient and gently seeking information. In more severe cases, hypnotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy may also be used to get to the root of the problem and treat sleep terrors.

Medications are rarely used to treat night terrors, but if these episodes aren’t caused by any serious condition and still continue to affect the person after therapy, the doctor may prescribe sleeping pills or tranquilizers bring about uninterrupted sleep.

In children, the most effective way to cope with night terrors is by establishing a relaxation routine before bedtime. This includes taking a warm bath, having a hot drink, reading or listening to stories, or doing meditation. These techniques must be initiated by parents, and usually, take some time to show results, but are effective in the long run to calm down the child and aid in better sleep.

Coping With Night Terrors

Comfort and reassurance are usually enough to treat childhood night terrors as long as they are not caused by any underlying condition. Holding the child and assuring them that they aren’t in any danger is the best way to help calm them down. If possible, one of the parents may sleep with the child to provide a sense of safety.

Parents must make sure children get proper sleep every day, and eliminate stress by incorporating fun and relaxing activities in the daily routine. The environment at home should be peaceful, and not create stress in the child’s life. If a child doesn’t grow out of these episodes by age 10 or 12, medical help must be sought.

Adults can try making some lifestyle changes, like getting more sleep, reducing intake of caffeine or tobacco, and indulging in relaxation before bedtime. Usually, these will suffice unless there is any serious cause behind the sleep terrors. In that case, a doctor must be consulted for appropriate treatment. This might take some time to eliminate the sleep terror episodes but generally, provide relief if treatment is completed.

Night terrors are not usually a cause for concern. While both children and adults may experience them, some simple lifestyle changes and proper sleep are enough to provide relief. Any unusual pattern or symptom must be reported to a doctor to rule out any serious medical condition.

Want to know how it feels like sleeping on a cloud? Yawnder is giving away amazing memory foam Puffy Mattress absolutely free to its readers. Puffy has two foam layers. The upper layer consists of a dense foam while the lower layer is standard foam. The mattress also comes with washable zipper cover.

So are you ready to win this mattress?

Enter below to win Puffy Mattress of your required size. Don’t forget to read the in-depth Puffy Mattress Review  or watch the unboxing  and review video.

Puffy Mattress Giveaway