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Amazon Prime Day 2018 is July 16-17 and is 36 hours of awesome savings. Last year featured some excellent deals on mattresses and this year is no exception. Aside from mattresses, you will also find incredible deals on best selling pillows, sheets and mattress pads. Here are the latest Prime Day 2018 mattress deals which will be constantly updated as new deals come out on a regular basis.

Amazon Prime Day Mattress Deals

There are hundreds of mattresses to choose from on Amazon and when you are trying to land a great deal on Prime day, it’s important that you get a mattress that will work for your needs, not just a mattress that is a great deal because no matter how great the price, if it doesn’t feel right, it’s not worth it.

The mattresses I have listed below are some that I have personally found to be a really good value and good quality. Side sleepers will love the Zinus Green Tea while stomach and back sleepers should look at the offerings from Lucid.

Zinus Green Tea Mattress

The Zinus Green Tea mattress is a best selling memory foam mattress on Amazon. It is highly rated and feels great. It is my top pick for a mattress under $600. Don’t bother with the other depths, the 12 inch is the way to go. Right now it currently retails for $229 for a queen size. Shop the Green Tea Mattress

Lucid Mattress

The Lucid 10-inch gel foam mattress is also an incredible deal year round but especially so on Prime Day. Right now you can get a queen size for $238 with Prime delivery. This mattress is considerably firmer than the Zinus Green Tea so it is better suited to stomach and back sleepers. Get the latest price on the Lucid

Lucid 12-inch Hybrid Mattress

The Lucid Hybrid is probably the best deal out there on a hybrid that you can get. Even if you miss buying on Prime day, it normally retails for $399 for a queen size. It features aloe infused foam and charcoal infused foam to absorb odor and keep the mattress smelling fresh. Once you unbox it, you can sleep on it a few hours after opening. Lucid skews a little firm so even though this mattress is rated as being plush, keep in mind that it will still be considerably firmer than the 12-inch Zinus Green Tea. However, it will sleep cooler and recover much faster. Get the latest price on the Lucid Hybrid.

Tomorrow Sleep

Tomorrow Sleep is offering 20% off their mattresses today. This mattress is made in the USA and is made with premium foam. It comes with an industry leading 365-night trial and a 10-year limited warranty backed by Serta-Simmons. Shop Tomorrow Sleep

Tuft and Needle

The Tuft & Needle mattress is another American Made mattress that gets amazing reviews and comes in at a killer price. Today though you can get an even better deal by saving another 20%. This means a queen size is currently selling for $459. Shop Tuft & Needle

I will be updating this post with the latest prices and deals as they become available.

Mattress sales happen around minor holidays and 4th of July is no exception. You will find all sorts of deals online and in traditional retailers such as Macy’s, Sear and Mattress Firm. So, how do you get the best 4th of July mattress deal? Here are some quick pointers. But if you don’t want to fight through all the flyers and online ads, I have highlighted some of my favorite deals based on actually trying the mattress, price and overall value. There are thousands of deals that are available but I have put together some of the highlights that I think are worth noting.

Yawnder’s  2018 4th of July Mattress Buying Guide

• 4th of July sales offer great prices so chances are you will get their best pricing of the year
• Be clear on the trial period. In my opinion, the trial period is much more important than the warranty.
• Opt for buying a mattress with a free return policy.
• Be wary of free returns for store credit. Ultimately you want your cash back so you have the freedom to purchase from any retailer.
• Try before you buy. Most people don’t have the ability to try the online mattress brands before buying but at least try out a foam and/or hybrid mattress before committing to buying one, especially if you have never slept on one before. This will give you more confidence that you are buying the right type of mattress.
• Understand your firmness preferences before heading out. If you and your partner have considerably different firmness preferences, you may want to look at buying two different mattresses in twin xl size and putting them side by side to make a king mattress. This will make both of you happier and sleep much better.
• Look for bundle deals. Many mattress retailers will through in free pillows sheets or even an adjustable base with purchase. If you are in the market for an adjustable base, this is a great time to buy.
• Beware of “Deals”. Some retailers offer big discounts but they are discounting already high markups. Compare the discounted price to similar options online to get a better sense if they are offering a true discount.

My Top 4th of July Mattress Picks

Allswell $855 (Queen)

Get a premium quality mattress. Choose from the classic all foam or the spring and foam hybrid which is firmer. Both feel great and come with free shipping and returns. You can outfit your whole bedroom with their selection of celebrity designer sheets, shams and pillows, just choose your look and you’re ready to go. Get $150 your purchase with coupon code SHERPA150 at checkout. Learn why Allswell is the Breakout Brand of 2018.

Nectar Mattress $725 (Queen)

Nectar is consistently a great value. So while they aren’t necessarily offering a special sale during the 4th, they are an incredible value year round and should set the bar in terms of price and quality for what you can get. Nectar offers an astounding 365-night trial where you can basically try the mattress for a year and if not satisfied get a full refund. Read our full Nectar Mattress Review

Brentwood Home

If memory foam isn’t your thing, check out the lineup from Brentwood Home. These mattresses are American made from California and exude quality and craftsmanship. Compare these mattresses to high-end models you will find in Bloomingdales. My favorite among this line is still the Oceano.

Brooklyn Bedding

Another awesome brand is Brooklyn Bedding. Based out of Phoenix, Arizona. This company is factory direct which means they make all their mattresses in house and pass the savings on to you. They use all the latest generation foams and ship super quick. All their mattresses come with a 120-night trial. Right now you can get 20% off mattresses and 30% off accessories.

Eight Sleep

Eight Sleep is a very tech-centric mattress. The smart cover will track your sleep and will integrate with your Amazon Alexa to report back how you slept and can even integrate with other smart devices to optimize your sleep and save you time.

Sales from other Online Brands

Agility Bed: Use code FOURTH to get $150 off your new hybrid mattress. Shop Agility

My Green Mattress: $175 off every mattress – (twin or larger) with coupon code SLEEPSHERPA175. I often recommend the Natural Escape model for kids getting their first big kid bed as it is all natural, affordable and feels great so if you have guests that need to use the mattress they will enjoy it too. Shop My Green Mattress

Purple: For a limited time, get a pillow, seat cushion, sheets, or mattress protector with mattress purchase! Shop Purple.

 

 

Amazon 4th of July Mattress Sales

Normally Amazon saves their best deals for Amazon Prime Day so while they usually have good pricing, I would hold out until Prime Day. That said. If you are looking for an inexpensive mattress that has been getting great reivews, check out the Linenspa Mattress.

Linenspa 8 inch memory foam mattress 170.99 (Queen) – This is listed as an Amazon Choice product.

I found the 8 inch Linenspa to be firm so if you want something plush but still a really good value check out this one:

Zinus Green Tea 12 inch mattress with waterproof mattress protector $287.94 (Queen)

Brick and Mortar Independence Day Deals

If you want to shop local this year, here’s a roundup of sales going on at some of the larger mattress retailers. Of course there are probably some local mattress stores near you and I urge you to give those a try as well.

Mattress Firm

From June 27 – July 10, stop by your nearest Mattress Firm and shop the Fourth of July Sale to upgrade your sleep space:

•       Receive a FREE Head Up 50 adjustable base* with all mattress purchases of $599 or more (up to a $699 value)
•       Shop all beds on sale, including the Serta Alesbury queen mattress on sale for just $297

Sears

Sears has traditionally been the go to place for buying mattresses. They have sort of fallen out of favor and have closed dozens of stores but they still offer great deals. For the 4th of July, Sears is offering up to 60% off top brands. They also offer the Scott Living mattress brand, AKA, Property Brothers from HGTV.

Serta Chiswick Firm (Queen) $249.99 normally $424.99

Scott Living by Restonic Aberdeen Euro Top Queen Mattress $1,751 normally $4377.50

 

Bloomingdales

If you are looking for ultra high end mattresses, Bloomingdales has them. Here’s what they are offering on sale so far. You also get a $100 reward for every $1,000 you spend on mattresses.

Stearns & Foster Rockwood Luxury Firm Collection  – $4,748.00 – $6,698.00 SALE $2,374.00 – $3,349.00 (50% OFF)

Kluft – Royal Sovereign Victory Collection – 100% Exclusive $3,952.00 – $8,164.00 SALE $2,371.00 – $4,898.00 (40% OFF)

Kluft – Palais Royale Vie de Luxe Collection – 100% Exclusive $23,476.30 – $27,589.80 SALE $17,607.00 – $20,692.00 (25% OFF)

Vispring – St. James Mattress Set Collection – 100% Exclusive $32,799.00 – $51,313.33 SALE $24,599.00 – $38,484.00 (25% OFF)

More deal will be posted as they are published. Enjoy the rest of your summer by sleeping comforably on a new mattress!

Understanding the Link Between Inflammation and Sleep

One of the essential components of life – besides food – is sleep. In fact, sleep is considered more important than food, because it helps the brain and the body recharge and heals at the end of a day. Without sleep, the nerve cells in the brain cannot recharge, and the bodies cannot replenish the energy lost during the day. Unfortunately, a large section of the global population suffers from sleep disorders. From chronic insomnia to sleep apnea, there are various kinds of disorders that keep people awake at night and make them sleepy during the day. The number of people who cannot sleep at night is on the rise, and the remedies are often short-lived.

Stress happens to be one of the leading causes of sleep deprivation. When a person is stressed, the brain works overtime, not stopping even at bedtime. This prevents the person from relaxing and falling asleep. Unless the brain goes into rest mode and becomes calm, it is difficult to fall asleep. Sleep is critical for various important functions, from proper memory and mood to productivity and performance, to health. Disturbed sleep has been found to cause stress, accidents, reduced productivity, and impaired cognitive functioning. Chronic sleeplessness can also lead to other ailments.

There are many treatments to reduce sleep disorders and promote better sleep, but they aren’t long-lasting. Thus, scientists are trying to understand the reason behind sleep in order to better treat sleep-related disorders.

Several studies have found that sleep is an extremely complex process and this has made it difficult to identify the mechanisms that regulate sleep. But newer research has found evidence that inflammation is responsible for sleep regulation, and those with greater inflammation have disturbed sleep. This is also the reason why sleep is difficult during illness and infection. Those with sleep disorders have been found to have a higher level of inflammation. People who have diseases such as diabetes, cardiac disease or autoimmune disorders also have disturbed sleep because these diseases increase inflammation. People with increased inflammation also include the elderly and veterans, and that’s the reason why they have more sleep difficulties than the general public.

However, inflammation is also necessary for sleep. Inflammation occurs when small proteins called cytokines allow cells in the body to communicate with each other.  Some of the cytokines are pro-inflammatory and help in sleep regulation, and other functions such as mood, performance, cognition, and fatigue. These pro-inflammatory cytokines increase in the brain during the loss of sleep. However, it isn’t yet known what is responsible for the mechanism of these cytokines. One theory goes that pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced by inflammasomes, which are protein complexes formed in the brain. It has also been found that inflammasomes are responsible for regulating sleep to a great extent. Inflammasomes are responsible for increased sleep after sleep loss or illnesses.

Although more research is needed to find out in greater detail the role of inflammasomes in sleep, it should be remembered that not all inflammation is bad. In fact, inflammation is necessary for various normal physiological functions and responses to infection. For instance, it is inflammation in the body in response to an infection that helps in identifying ailments and helping the body heal.  Inflammation is an important part of the immune system. Therefore, without the inflammasomes, the body won’t heal, and the immune system will not be able to find out infections in the body that need to heal. Normal level of cytokines is needed for proper sleep. But when inflammation is chronic because of enhanced production of cytokines, sleep disorders arise.

If you have any inflammatory disease, like arthritis, a sore back, or anxiety, you are more likely to stay awake when you should be sleeping. Food sensitivities and intestinal disorders have been found to increase the production of cytokines, leading to inflammation and sleep disorders. Several other factors may also be responsible, but they need more research.

On the other hand, poor sleep can lead to inflammatory diseases, such as heart disease. Sleep disturbances such as waking up many times at night or failing to fall asleep have been shown to increase the levels of inflammasomes, and they are linked to chronic diseases like hypertension, heart problems, and type 2 diabetes. Sedentary lifestyles, a diet high in fat, and lack of sleep can increase the risk of inflammatory diseases.

If you have any sleep disorder, consider finding out if you have any inflammation anywhere in your body and then slowly try to cut out the factors that lead to the inflammation. Once inflammation is in normal levels, proper sleep will be restored.

 

Are Sleep and Appetite Related?

Two of the most basic and vital functions of any living being are eating and sleeping. One is incomplete without the other. When we eat right but don’t get proper sleep, our health doesn’t function right. If we get enough sleep but don’t eat right, it makes our bodies malfunction. Food and sleep have always existed together, and now it has been found that sleep, appetite, and a healthy weight are all related.

It’s the same story with most people. Staying up late at night and downing cups of coffee, with no time for a proper meal and definitely no time for exercise. With the modern lifestyle, most people drag themselves through the day, skipping proper meals and physical activity, and consuming sugar and caffeine for energy. The bad news is, these habits aren’t effective at fighting off sleep or fatigue, and can also lead to weight gain and make losing those extra pounds harder.

There is substantial research to prove that short or disturbed sleep increases your appetite for high-calorie foods. This is because the hormone balance changes and alters the appetite. Two hormones in are responsible for controlling hunger, appetite, and satiety.  Ghrelin is the hormone that stimulates appetite, making you hungry and crave food, while leptin is the hormone that makes you feel full and sated and suppresses appetite. In people with normal sleep, these two hormones are in balance, working to regulate normal feelings if hunger and appetite. But poor sleep alters ghrelin and leptin balance, leading to a change in appetite.

Sleep also controls glucose production. When a person sleeps less than four hours a night, ghrelin levels go up, and leptin levels go down. This leads to an increase in appetite and food intake. If someone is chronically sleep-deprived and consumes high-calorie food, the calories are likely to be deposited around your stomach, causing belly fat that is known to increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. Known as visceral fat deposition, this happens when the lack of sleep suppresses the release of insulin in response to glucose.

Being sleep deprived for a week at a stretch has been shown to impair glucose tolerance, but making up on lost sleep made the glucose response return to normal. Although there isn’t enough evidence to prove that lack of sleep causes diabetes, research has found a strong link between the two, because getting proper sleep regulates energy levels and eliminates the craving for sugar or carbs, thus keeping blood glucose under control.

If you have difficulty sleeping once in a while and eat plenty of chocolate and French fries the next day for energy, it may not be too damaging. But there is evidence to suggest that you may gain weight if you routinely skimp on sleep and binge of carbs and sugar. This is one of the main reasons why obese people sleep less. Over the last 10 years, there has been an alarming increase in obesity, and this has a link with the marked decrease in average sleep time for the average person over the last 50 years. Fifty years ago there was no Netflix to stay up for. The modern lifestyle has too many distractions that keep pushing sleep to the back burner.

Only watching what you eat will not make it better. Even if you switch to a healthy diet, sleep deprivation will make it hard to get into shape. This is the reason why many people have trouble losing weight despite a healthy diet and exercise. Lack of sleep can counteract all the other efforts to lose weight. Along with physical activity, diet, and recovery, you have to pay attention to the right amount of sleep to be able to lose weight.

For the right balance, you must get proper restful sleep every night. If you wake up several times at night, it doesn’t count as restful sleep. A healthy diet high in fiber and protein and low in carbs is also important. As for exercise, experts recommend exercising early in the day, preferably in the morning. Exercising late in the evening or before bed leads to adrenaline surge and harms proper sleep.

So if you haven’t been getting into shape despite every effort, it is time to catch up on some sleep.

 

Can Marijuana Help You Sleep Better?

Legal hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) has been found to have several benefits. CBD is a psychoactive compound found in cannabis, and it makes up over 40 percent of the plant’s extract. CBD is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure properties, the reason why it is now used for relief from pain. Cannabis is also quite popular for another reason – aiding in sleep. Cannabis is used widely by CBD lovers for getting a good night’s sleep. Cannabis is the most popular natural remedy used for battling insomnia, and it is known to be effective. However, not many know why CBD is so helpful in making people doze off.

THC and CBD are both compounds found in cannabis, but they work differently. While THC causes euphoria and a feeling of being ‘high’ CBD is more calming and soothing. That is the reason why it is also used for treating anxiety. In a study held in 2006, it was found that non-intoxicating CBD increased alertness during the day and aided in sleep at night. This led researchers to believe that CBD could be beneficial for those suffering from insomnia and daytime sleepiness.

But how does this happen? A large number of people who aren’t into any other form of drugs smoke cannabis every night for better sleep. Although the science behind this isn’t completely clear, one reason is the terpenes in cannabis. Terpenes are the aromatic compounds which reduce stress and anxiety levels and bring in calmness. Terpenes are also found in lavender and chamomile, both of which promote sleep. In fact, cannabis along with a lavender bath or chamomile tea works even better to aid in sleep.

It has also been found that aged cannabis work better in promoting sleep. This is because as cannabis grew old, there forms a compound called cannabinol or CBN. This compound is known to be five times more sedating than THC or CBD, although it forms very slowly. Therefore old weed is stronger in promoting sleep, as compared to newer weed.

On the flipside, cannabis also may produce a mild hangover in the morning. If you ever notice that your head is a little groggy in the morning, it is probably from the cannabis you took at night. Although it is never like the hangovers caused by alcohol, it might still make you feel a little foggy, tired, and dehydrated. Some people may never experience this. Others usually get it from taking bad weed. The best way to avoid a hangover is to take it in moderation and drink plenty of water.

A significant and noticeable thing about consuming cannabis for sleep is the inhibition of dreams. This is because cannabis reduces the time spent in REM sleep, the final phase of sleep when dreams occur. When cannabis is consumed before bedtime, it inhibits the formation of vivid dreams. On the other hand, if you stop long-term use of cannabis, you will most likely experience REM rebound, when you have very lucid and vivid dreams.

Although the relationship between sleep and cannabis isn’t yet completely clear, it is definite that cannabis has a calming and soothing effect on the brain, causing drowsiness and sleep. Cannabis isn’t addictive and can be given up more easily than other means of inducing sleep. In coming days, cannabis as a sleep aid is likely to gain more popularity.

 

Fragmented Sleep Causes, Treatment, and Lifestyle Changes

After the end of a day, sleep is supposed to replenish the lost energy and recharge us for the next day. But when you keep waking up many times at night and struggle to fall back asleep, it doesn’t help you relax or recharge. Most people think waking up multiple times a night is normal, but this condition is called fragmented sleep. The awakenings during your normal sleep cycle may range from brief episodes after which you fall back asleep, or longer periods of wakefulness followed by difficulty going back to sleep.  People who have fragmented sleep wake up feeling tired in the morning. Other common symptoms of fragmented sleep include daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, foggy memory, and difficulty concentrating.

Why does fragmented sleep matter?

Recent studies have found that fragmented sleep is equal to getting no sleep at all because both cause daytime sleepiness and fatigue the next day. Many people who experience fragmented sleep hardly consider it a problem, and then they wonder why they wake up with a headache or have difficulty staying awake through the day. The average person needs 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Anything less than this is insufficient. Those who think they only need four hours of sleep may not feel the consequences immediately, but soon the effects of insufficient sleep will catch up.

Lack of sleep elevates stress levels, increases appetite and suppresses the ability to burn calories. It also causes forgetfulness and inefficiency at work, while daytime sleepiness may also cause accidents. When a person is fatigued for days or weeks in a row, it can lead to various illnesses. Increased blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, and elevated blood sugar levels are some of the long-term problems that can arise from lack of sleep.

Causes of fragmented sleep

There are a few types of fragmented sleep. Short term fragmented sleep can be due to waking up to care for a new baby or because of an illness like a cough or a sore back. This kind of fragmented sleep is situational and goes away after some time. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the person. Once the disturbances are gone, normal sleep can restore.

Fragmented sleep can also result from sleep disorders like sleep apnea, snoring, or periodic limb movements (restless leg syndrome). Fragmented sleep is known as sleep-maintenance insomnia, which is difficulty staying asleep. This is different from sleep-onset insomnia, which is difficulty falling asleep.

Poor sleep is also caused by lifestyle habits such as caffeine and alcohol consumption, exercising close to bedtime, or napping for a long time in the day. There may be other causes of chronic fragmented sleep, but they can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional.

Fragmented sleep remedies

Sleep-maintenance insomnia is easier to treat than sleep-onset insomnia. The first thing you have to do is to allow yourself to be tired and sleepy. This includes avoiding a nap during the day. As the fatigue accumulates through the day, it is easier to fall and stay asleep at night. Really sleepy people are less likely to have a fragmented sleep.

It is also necessary that distractions are removed before bedtime. Switch off the phone, fix the leaking faucets, and wear an eye mask to prevent any light from distracting you. If possible, shut the windows to prevent noises from outside to wake you up. Also drink less fluid close to bedtime to avoid getting up for the bathroom.

If you always wake up several times at night, consider consulting a doctor to rule out underlying medical conditions like sleep disorders or snoring.

 

How Does Alcohol Affect Your Sleep?

Anyone who has ever had any experience with alcohol knows that it makes people drowsy. In fact, several people consume alcohol before bed to fall asleep. It is customary to drink a nightcap – usually an alcoholic drink – before bedtime because it is supposed to help induce sleep. Any warm drink before bedtime is known to soothe the nerves, induce relaxation, and bring sleep quickly. However, consuming alcohol before going to sleep also affects your quality and quantity of sleep. Although alcohol is a depressant and causes drowsiness, it has been found to contribute to poor sleep.

Although alcohol is generally known to aid sleep, it actually has the opposite effect. It can help people fall asleep quickly but later interferes with REM sleep. This is because consuming alcohol – be it beer, wine, or any other spirits – before bed has been found to cause slow-wave sleep patterns called delta activity. This is when memory formation and learning happens during deep sleep. But the problem occurs when alpha activity – the opposite of delta activity – is also turned on. This alpha activity interferes with sleep because it isn’t supposed to happen during sleep. When the alpha activity occurs during sleep, it interferes with restorative sleep and causes disruptions.

Alcohol before bedtime also affects your circadian rhythm. This is your biological clock that brings sleep at night and makes you wake up in the morning. When you drink alcohol before bed, it makes you wake up in the middle of the night, because alcohol affects the normal production of chemicals in the body that triggers sleepiness. Soon after consuming alcohol, the sleep-inducing chemical adenosine is produced, which makes people fall asleep quickly. But it the chemical soon subsides equally quickly, disrupting sleep and causing people to wake up in the middle of the night. That is the reason why people may feel drowsy and sleepy soon after drinking but become alright sometime later.

As mentioned in the beginning, alcohol also interferes with REM sleep. When alpha and delta activities occur together in the brain, it prevents REM sleep, which is the deepest part of the sleep cycle. With less REM sleep, people are more likely to wake up feeling tired, groggy and confused. Signs such as these indicate poor quality sleep.

There are other ways in which alcohol contributes to poor sleep quality. For instance, alcohol has been found to be a reason behind sleep disorders like sleep apnea and snoring. In fact, alcohol aggravates breathing problems during sleep because it helps the whole body relax, and when the whole body relaxes, the throat muscles also relax. This makes problems like snoring and sleep apnea worse and affects the quality of sleep. If you already suffer from sleep apnea, snoring, or other sleep disorders, drinking alcohol before bed is not a good idea because it makes those problems worse.

Alcohol also makes sleep time uncomfortable by waking you up for bathroom trips. Normally, we need to use the bathroom less when we sleep because the body knows its sleep time and makes the bladder go into hibernation for the night. But alcohol being a diuretic makes you need the bathroom more often at night, interfering with the quality of sleep.

Considering all these factors, it is safe to conclude that alcohol and sleep don’t go together. Therefore, cutting down on alcohol before sleep is the best way to get a good night’s rest. Alcohol has been consumed before bedtime for ages, and several people still like a glass of wine before they go to sleep. But then they wonder why they wake up tired and groggy in the morning.

If you consume alcohol before bed and wake up in the middle of the night or in the wee hours feeling worse, the drink was to blame. In that case, you must either not drink alcohol before bedtime at all, or even if you do drink, time it at least two hours before you go to sleep. Having a glass of wine at dinner is all right, but drinking right before you turn out the lights does more harm than good. This simple change can bring restorative sleep back to your life.

 

How Allergies Affect Your Sleep

Seasonal changes are the worst nightmare for people with allergies. Whether it’s autumn giving way to winter, or spring changing to summer, there are potential allergens in the air all through the year. While those who know about their allergies are better able to deal with changing seasons, the worst sufferers are those who have no idea if it’s allergies that keep them awake at night and uncomfortable through the day.

Although seasonal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis) aren’t a serious problem, they can lead to several problems in any season. Allergies can make sleeping difficult because nasal passages swell and become clogged, leading to breathing problems, snoring, and dry mouth and throat. Such sleep troubles can lead to sleepiness and fatigue during the day, affecting productivity and efficiency, and also leading to more serious problems like a foggy memory and disorientation.

It was found in a study that nearly half of the people who suffer from seasonal allergies complain of troubled sleep because of excessive sneezing and wheezing and breathing difficulty. Because allergies usually don’t have a long term cure, most people just suffer in silence. Allergic rhinitis can either be seasonal or perennial.  If it’s seasonally, it’s usually caused by dust particles in the air, as well as mold, ragweed, and pollen. When seasonal allergies occur throughout the year, they are usually caused by indoor substances like pet fur and dander, indoor mold, and dust in the carpet, bedding, and mattress.

Sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are aggravated by allergic rhinitis. Being unable to sleep night after night leads to chronic insomnia, foggy memory, disorientation, loss of productivity, and cardiac ailments. Allergic rhinitis doesn’t just affect adults; it also affects children and interferes with restful sleep.

Instead of suffering in silence, there are simple solutions to reduce the symptoms and promote better sleep. Some of the solutions are:

• Use a nasal rinse/spray before going to bed. A nasal spray gets rid of the congestion in the nasal passages and helps you breathe easy, promoting better rest and sleep.
• Keep windows closed, especially on windy days. This prevents the dust and other allergens from entering the house. If possible, also keep windows shut when going to bed.
• If you use an air-conditioner, make sure to change the filter or clean them periodically. When the filter is left unattended for a long time, allergy-causing dust can accumulate and spread in the room when the air conditioner is turned on.
• Don’t wear outside clothes to bed because dust and pollen that cling to them can transfer over to the bedding. This can trigger allergies and interfere with sleep.
• Try turning off the humidifier to stop the air from getting too moist. Moisture leads to the growth of bacteria and allergies, and a moist room can trigger allergic rhinitis.

Allergies can pose a severe problem to sleep, but with a few easy solutions it can be managed and kept under control. If allergies are persistent, consult a doctor for a medical solution.

 

You must have heard fancy things about meditation and how it helps calm the mind and relax the body. Now it has been found that those who meditate regularly are the world’s best sleepers. In fact, they are so good at sleeping that if sleep was a race their home would be full of medals and trophies. It has now been backed by scientific research that meditation indeed

A large section of the population suffers from sleep disorders, mainly insomnia. Not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep is one of the major reasons why people go about the day tired, groggy, and confused. It’s also why excessive daytime sleepiness occurs and interferes with normal activities. Insomnia is the primary cause of daytime sleepiness, and if left untreated, it can also be the cause of accidents and other fatalities.

Many people tend to think that insomnia doesn’t have a cure, but actually it does. Instead of popping sleeping pills or resorting to other artificial means for inducing sleep, making some lifestyle changes and adopting healthy habits treat insomnia naturally. Meditation is one such healthy habit that promotes sleep by calming the brain and inducing relaxation.

Let’s take a look at the four key ways in which meditation promotes better sleep.

1. Strengthen the sleeping brain

There’s a part of the brain that is directly responsible for sleep quality because it produces melatonin – the chemical that induces sleep. When this region of the brain is weak, it will prevent you from getting the amount of sleep that you need. If this is the cause of your insomnia, strengthening this key region in the brain is the cure. And meditation is the most important way to make this region of the brain stronger, remove abnormalities, and bring restful sleep.

2. Boost melatonin

As we already know, melatonin is the sleep chemical. The more melatonin your brain produces, the more your nighttime sleep will be. Those suffering from insomnia usually have lower levels of melatonin, therefore boosting this chemical before bedtime leads to better sleep. In a Harvard study, it was found that meditation is the ultimate melatonin booster because it lowered stress and balanced all the biological markers for quality sleep. Those who meditate enjoy a 98 percent boost in melatonin levels, resulting in better sleep, night after night. Boosting melatonin with the help of meditation instead of supplements is the healthier way to quality sleep.

3. Lower beta brainwaves

Insomnia is caused when there is an excess of beta brainwaves, the mental state in chronic anxiety and depression. When you meditate, you not only calm your mental activity but also boost alpha, theta, and delta brainwaves to induce sleep. These brainwaves cancel out the insomnia brainwaves, ensuring that you get restful sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

4. Beat stress and worries

 

When you meditate, your mind enters a place of calm and peace. The mindfulness learned during meditation brings us to the present, making the brain stop worrying because the day is over and tomorrow is not here yet. This process of being present in the moment and being aware of your body and your thoughts is often the best and most effective way to calm your mind and fall asleep quickly. This is also a good way to retrain the brain and make it ready for bed. Doing this every night promotes a proper sleep cycle.

Instead of putting up with sleepless nights, try to practice some deep breathing and meditation. Download a guided meditation track on your phone or sign up for a meditation class to slowly master this simple yet highly beneficial habit.

 

Editor’s Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. You may have landed here from a brand-sponsored ad.  For full details visit the disclosures page.

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If you’re looking for a new mattress, there has never been a better time to get one. 2018 has been a really great year for online mattress brands. The stakes have been raised and this means you will get more for your money. It seems like every week a new mattress company pops up online but one brand in particular that stands out from the pack is Allswell. That’s because they make an extremely comfortable mattress but also give you one-stop shopping to outfit your bedroom and give it a professional makeover with handpicked fabrics from celebrity designers.

Why Buy A Mattress Online?

If you are new to the whole concept of buying a mattress online, Allswell is a great place to start. That’s because they offer two different choices. The Luxe Classic which is a memory foam mattress that has excellent contouring and basically no motion transfer so your partner won’t wake you up at night. If you are looking for a firmer feel, they have you covered with the Luxe Classic, Firmer. This is known as a hybrid mattress which means it’s made with independently moving coils and foam. This gives the mattress a little bounce, quicker recovery and a bit more breathability than the Luxe Classic.

If you find that you aren’t happy with your choice for whatever reason, Allswell has you covered with their 100-night trial. This means that you can sleep on the mattress for over 3 months in the comfort of your home and if you don’t like it they will facilitate the return.  Simply contact them and they will work to pick up your mattress making it a hassle-free experience. No need to put it back in the box!

What Do You Get With Allswell?

Here’s a quick video overview of the Allswell line. It gives you a sense of what’s available and what’s possible for making over your bedroom. The mattress is the flagship product of the Allswell brand. I really appreciate that they have curated collections so you can choose your favorite look and get everything delivered to your door. No shopping around at multiple stores hoping to coordinate everything. Leave it to the pros to get you what you need the first time.

What Sets Allswell Apart from the Competition?

I have reviewed literally hundreds of mattresses over the past 3 years and have made this website, Yawnder, my full-time job. There are some really good choices out there and if I have learned anything, it’s that there isn’t a perfect mattress for everyone. That’s while I like that Allswell gives you choice with the Luxe Classic and Luxe Classic, Firmer.  They also know that there isn’t a cookie cutter style and have provided some wonderful choices in that department as well to give you a bedroom that reflects your style. Believe it or not, a clean, clutter-free and welcoming bedroom will help you sleep better.

If you really think about it, your bedroom is where you spend most of your life and in particular your bed, so why not make it a sanctuary where you can unwind?

The Allswell Experience

Ordering your Allswell mattress and bedding is super easy. Just hop over to their website and start shopping. You don’t have to buy the bedding to buy the mattress or vice versa, just select what you need. Shipping is fast and your items should arrive in about a week after ordering. If you do opt for one of their mattresses, you can opt for the white glove delivery. Although it comes in a box, you may not want to deal with the hassle of lugging it upstairs and removing all the packaging. With the white glove service, Allswell will bring it up to your bedroom unpack it and remove your old mattress. Not many online mattress brands offer this level of service.

My Allswell Recommendation

You can spend months reading mattress reviews and by the time you’re done, chances are a new brand will come on the scene which will throw in more confusion. Allswell keeps it simple. Two great mattresses both at a great price, soft or firm, you choose. You get the option of white glove delivery, a free trial that gives you peace of mind knowing you can always get a full refund without the hassle of shipping it back and a highly curated selection of pillows, shams, duvets, inserts, throws and more. It’s never been easier to get your whole bedroom outfitted with a push of a button.

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Learn more about Allswell

Editor’s Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links. You may have landed here from a brand-sponsored ad.  For full details visit the disclosures page.

 

 

 

Are There Different Types Of Insomnia? Yes!

All of us have difficulty falling or staying asleep once in a while, maybe when we are too stressed or when something weighs on our minds. But there’s a large section of the global population that struggles with insomnia night after night. Insomnia is a very uncomfortable disorder. Each night, when you are tired but unable to fall asleep, you keep staring at the ceiling and thinking of all sorts of negative things until the sun comes up. And then you go about the day bleary-eyed and fatigued, failing to find focus or remember things. It becomes a nagging problem that seems to have no solution.

If this is your life story, don’t panic. Every night, 30 to 40 percent of Americans struggle to fall or stay asleep. Insomnia can happen at any age but is more common in adults. Women are more usually affected by this sleep disorder than men, while more prevalent among people in low-income groups, chronic alcoholics, and those with mental illnesses. In fact, insomnia is becoming a lot like an epidemic, with an increasing number of people affected by the disorder. Insomnia results in excessive daytime sleepiness, which not only hinders productivity but also causes accidents and mishaps. Besides, chronic lack of sleep also has far-reaching consequences. From cardiac ailments to poor cognitive functioning to hormonal imbalances, insomnia can be the cause of various other conditions.

To most people, insomnia is pretty straightforward. When you cannot fall asleep or stay asleep for nights in a row, it’s insomnia. However, there are various types of insomnia. Yes, as surprising as it may sound, not everyone who fails to sleep is suffering from just one kind of insomnia. There are several kinds.

Let’s take a look at the five most common types of insomnia.

Acute Insomnia

Insomnia is acute when it’s only a brief episode that occurs as a response to a life event. For instance, stressful events such as a job change, loss of job, travel, bad news, illness, or any crisis can cause acute insomnia, when a person is unable to sleep at night. Acute insomnia can last for days or as long as the crisis situation remains, and is usually resolved without needing treatment.

Chronic Insomnia

For insomnia to be diagnosed as chronic, a person needs to have difficulty falling or staying asleep for at least three months, three nights a week. Those suffering from chronic insomnia have usually had a history of sleep disorders.   Chronic insomnia usually has several underlying causes needing a proper diagnosis. Disorders like obstructive sleep apnea or mental disorders are often the reason behind chronic insomnia.

Comorbid Insomnia

Insomnia that happens because of or along with another condition is called comorbid insomnia. In this case, certain mental conditions like anxiety or depression are usually associated with difficulty sleeping. Other conditions such as chronic back pain, arthritis, or asthma don’t cause sleeplessness directly, but make the person uncomfortable at night and make it hard to sleep.

 

Onset Insomnia

This is a type of sleep difficulty that many of us face when we are unable to fall asleep at the beginning of the night. Generally, going to bed only when you feel sleepy is the cure for this condition.

Maintenance Insomnia

This is another common condition seen in various people. When you wake up in the middle of the night and are unable to fall back asleep, it is called maintenance insomnia. Waking up a few times in the night is normal, but failing to return to sleep creates a problem and also causes daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

If you are unable to decide which category your insomnia belongs to, consult a doctor. Once the right type of insomnia is determined, the right solution can be applied to restore normal sleep.

 

Yoga Poses for Sleep

One of the major causes of sleep deprivation in modern times is stress. We live in a fast-paced world where our senses are always being stimulated affecting our nervous system. Lack of sleep gives rise to anxiety, depression, and mindless worry, and these, in turn, affect the quality and quantity of sleep. It’s a vicious cycle that affects more than half of the global population.

No matter which country or what society you live in, chances are your life is stressful. From work stressors to hectic family life, there are several factors that affect your sleep and rest on a daily basis. When you hit the bed at night, the worries from the day gone by and the day yet to come swirl in your mind, preventing restful sleep.

That’s where yoga comes in. The yogic technique of focusing on your breathing calms your mind and eases anxiety and worries. A lot of urban people have started taking yoga classes in the evening after work in order to sleep better. But it isn’t always possible to go to a class after work when you’re dying to get home. In that case, these yoga poses can be practiced at home to promote a good night’s sleep.

Balasana (Child’s Pose)

This isn’t only one of the easiest but also one of the most effective poses for relieving stress and inducing sleep. Simply fold the torso over the legs with the arms extended, and let the forehead touch the ground. Breathe deeply in order to release the tension.

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

This pose involves standing straight with the feet about six inches apart and folding the torso to the ground. It is said to relieve insomnia, headaches, and lowers stress.

Legs Up the Wall

This pose involves lying on your back and raising your legs up against a wall. Holding this pose for five minutes makes the blood rush back to your heart, aiding in better sleep.

Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Butterfly)

In this pose, you simply need to lie flat and bring your feet together, spreading out the knees like a diamond shape. You can also put a pillow under each knee to make the pose less intense.

Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose)

This is a fun pose that opens up your hips and groin, and also promotes a good night’s rest. First, bend your knees into your chest and then hold your pinky toes while spreading your knees wide. Your shins should be perpendicular to the floor, while you pull down your feet.

Supta Matsyendrasana (Reclining Twist)

For this asana, you have to lie flat on your back and bend your legs at a 90-degree angle, holding the knees close to your chest. With the knees joined, let them fall to the right while you look to the left.  Hold the pose for some time and repeat on the other side. This pose works the back, hips, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and neck.

Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

This is a basic pose that involves lying flat on your back with your hands on your sides. This is a relaxing pose that calms your whole body, slowly releasing the tension and helping you fall asleep.

If you can practice Yoga safely, these asana’s or poses will help you sleep like a baby. However, consult your physician and Yoga instructor once is required.

 

 

 

It isn’t just a sleep disorder that can keep you up at night. Several other seemingly normal things can also affect your quality of sleep. For instance, a noisy neighborhood, a rowdy boss, less than the ideal workplace, and uncomfortable living conditions are all major – but overlooked – reasons that affect your sleep. We are aware that the lack of sleep can have adverse effects on the mind and body of a person, resulting in loss of productivity and affecting performance. But in a recent study, it has been found that the opposite is also true, which means that a person’s socioeconomic condition can affect the quality of sleep.

Research done by the Harvard University has found that the sleep quality varies depending upon various factors such as race, education level, and household income. It could be interpreted in both ways– people belonging to a socioeconomic status could get poor sleep because of various factors like uncomfortable living conditions, hectic work hours, long commute, and noisy neighborhood, or poor sleep could affect productivity and reduce chances of success.

Lower socioeconomic status offers fewer options to people. They have fewer comforts, less flexible workplaces, and less favorable living conditions. When people don’t make enough money, they are unable to afford better housing or work where they want to. If they cannot afford a car, they need to travel long hours to and from work. If they live in a small space with many children at home, there’s more noise and commotion. If they cannot afford an upper-class neighborhood, sleep is disrupted because of noisy traffic and people till late in the night.

People are working extra hard to make money wake up earlier in the morning compared to those who have a better job or workplace. There are people who sleep less than two hours a night because they work till late and then have to wake up at the crack of dawn for another job. Noisy neighborhoods, unfavorable living conditions, and inflexible workplaces are often associated with poverty and lower income groups.

Sleep is an important part of life. A major chunk of the day should be spent sleeping. Humans attach greater importance to sleep than any other species. But these days, people sleep less than they should. Given the dismal economic condition, if we are lucky to have a job, most of our waking hours are spent working. People belonging to lower socioeconomic status have a poor sleep because they spend long hours working and come home to unfavorable living conditions. Social and work stressors are also more among the lower socioeconomic groups. It was found in the study that those who had a flexible and open-minded manager enjoyed better sleep quality and quantity compared to those who had less flexible managers.

In a similar way, a difference in sleep quality was found among white and black people. Among the various reasons behind the difference, the strongest was nightshifts. Those in need of extra money usually work nightshifts, and this robs them of the necessary sleep. Night shifts also cause a disruption in the circadian rhythm, and increase risk of cardiac problems and diabetes. Working more than one job is also indicative of a lower socioeconomic standard, where sleep is disrupted for the sake of making money.

On the flip side, those with a high paying job also suffer from several sleep-related problems. Longer working hours reduce time for sleep. In the last few decades, the number of short sleepers has increased by leaps and bounds among full-time workers. The less sleep a person gets, the more are the risks of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiac diseases, but the financial security also makes people capable of dealing with and treating these diseases.

Besides work, neighborhoods, and other factors, sleep deficiency is aggravated by the time spent in front of the TV or the compute. To make up for loss of sleep (if the time when work starts cannot be delayed) the time spent watching television or doing Facebook should be lessened. Socioeconomists studying the situations believe that it isn’t enough, though. They believe that to remove this sleep disparity a comprehensive plan that involve addressing the social, biological, and environmental factors.

 

We’ve all been there. It’s 4 a.m., and we are suddenly wide awake from a good sleep. It’s a rude shock to be woken up in the middle of the night when you had gone to bed on time and managed to stay asleep for a while. It’s frustrating when you’re awake and staring at the ceiling when it’s still dark outside.

 

You’ll be surprised to learn that waking up a few times in the middle of the night isn’t unusual at all. On the contrary, it is normal to wake up because that’s when the sleep cycle is transitioning from deep to light. The problem arises when you cannot fall back asleep. If there’s anything more frustrating than waking up in the middle of the night, then it’s not being able to go back to sleep.

 

Being unable to go back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night is one of the leading causes of fatigue among the urban population. But all isn’t lost because there’s a lot you can do to help yourself fall back asleep no matter when you wake up in the night.

 

Get used to it

When you wake up at an ungodly hour, your mind starts racing. Why did I wake up? Will I be able to go back to sleep? Will I remain tired the whole day? When thoughts like these run through your mind at 3 in the night, it prevents sleep from coming back. A period of wakefulness in between different cycles of sleep was perfectly normal with our ancestors. Because we tend to go to bed late now, it becomes a source or anxiety if we wake up. But getting used to it and accepting it as healthy and normal takes some of the anxiety away and helps you fall back asleep.

 

Stay away from the screens

What do you usually do when you can’t go back to sleep at night? You reach for your phone. But the blue light from your phone screen makes it harder for sleep to come back. Blue light is known to block the production of melatonin, even more than sunlight. From a blue night light to the blue glowing screen of a phone or laptop, they all prevent good sleep. Therefore, no matter when you wake up at night, do not reach for your electronic devices.

 

Focus on your breathing

This is the number one effective way to fall back asleep when you wake up in the middle of the night (and also to help you sleep or rest any time of the day). Staying focused on your breathing calms your nervous system and moves your attention away from stressful thoughts going through your mind. Simply lie in bed and focus on your abdomen moving up and down to the rhythm of your breathing. This easy exercise relieves the tension in your body and lulls you to sleep.

 

Do something boring

Excitement makes you stay awake, therefore, to put yourself back to sleep do something boring. Reading a boring book or listening to some boring podcast is known to help. You could also try listening to a guided sleep meditation that will gently lull you back to sleep by helping you focus on your breathing.

 

Don’t ignore the signs

The signs of sleep are subtle but don’t ignore them. When you feel sleepy again, don’t fight it. Heed to the cue and go back to sleep.

Going back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night may not be all that hard if you know what to do. Go with the flow of your sleep cycle and let your body adjust itself.

If you’re out on a sweltering day, you are most likely to feel tired and sleep pretty soon. In fact, you don’t even have to be out in the sun to feel the effects of heat. A hot meeting room or a warm car ride can also make you feel sleepy and tried very easily. We all know heat makes us feel sleepy, but not many know why this happens.

 

Here are some possible reasons why we feel sleepy in the heat.

Dehydration

More often than not, it isn’t the heat that’s making you feel sleepy, but rather the dehydration that happens as a result. When it’s hot and humid, the body quickly loses salt and fluid in the form of perspiration, which can lead to dehydration in a short time. Dehydration always causes sleepiness and fatigue. To keep yourself from getting dehydrated, drink sufficient water to provide your body with the hydration it needs. Although heat and fatigue don’t always mean dehydration, drinking plenty of water will keep your body’s water content replenished.

 

Cooling effect

The body has its own mechanism of keeping cool. That’s why we sweat. Through the sweat glands, the body gives out heat in order to keep cool and regulate body temperature. The body expends energy in order to keep cool, and the more we sweat, the more energy we lose, leading to fatigue and sleepiness. The same thing happens when we are engaged in any strenuous physical activity like running or lifting weights. The purpose of sweating is to keep the body temperature consistent and prevent overheating. So the hotter the day and the more you sweat, the more tired you’ll feel because your body is using up your energy reserves.

 

Comfort

Heat isn’t always uncomfortable. There are times when heat is actually comforting. During winters, when everything is cold, being in a warm room can make you feel sleepy because it’s comforting. Other instances, such as taking a warm bath or having a hot drink, also emulate this same effect, because after your body temperature rises, it starts to drop. That’s when you feel sleepy. At the same time, overheating can also prevent you from a restful sleep. An overheated bed or mattress can prevent you from the sleep that you need.

 

Blood pressure

When it’s warm, the blood pressure drops. When blood pressure is low, it causes fatigue and sleepiness. A slight drop in blood pressure means that there is less amount of blood reaching the brain, and as a result, your body struggles to stay awake. Although this is not a problem, if you get nausea and headaches it requires medical attention. A severe drop in blood pressure can be a sign of heat stroke.

 

Melatonin

When you’re out in the sun, your body stops melatonin production. When you get back in the shade, your body produces melatonin overtime. That’s the reason why you feel sleepy. Being in the sunlight makes vitamins like Vitamin D enter the body, and the sudden increase in metabolism drains the energy a little. The ultraviolet rays present in the sunlight also create chemical reactions in the body that cause fatigue and sleepiness. These chemicals reactions also cause skin damage sunburn, wrinkles, and even cancer.

 

By protecting yourself from sun exposure, it is possible to mitigate some of the sleepiness and fatigue. If possible, keep yourself away from the sun, at least from mid-day to late afternoons. If that isn’t possible, take some precautions when out in the sun. For instance, wearing long-sleeved clothing made from lightweight fabrics like cotton or linen helps the skin breathe and allows some of the heat to escape. Keeping yourself hydrated is also important, so drink sufficient water and eat some salty snacks to replenish the lost moisture. Even if you are out in the sun, stay in the shade if possible, or carry an umbrella or wear a hat. Sunglasses and sunscreen are two other essentials that you must not forget in summers. By minimizing the ultraviolet rays reaching you, it is possible to keep some of the sleepiness away.

 

Now that we know why heat makes us sleepy and how to stay safe, it’s time to enjoy summer while taking all the necessary precautions.

People over the world, especially those with sleep disorders, are ready to try anything that promises to help them fall asleep faster. Among the several suggested ways to help people fall asleep faster is wearing socks to bed. As strange as it may sound to those who’ve never thought of doing it, sleeping with socks on can actually aid in better sleep. How? By regulating your body temperature.

 

This applies to those who cannot sleep at night because of excessively cold feet. When your feet are cold, it results in restlessness and prevents proper sleep. Sometimes a blanket isn’t enough to keep your feet warm enough. That’s when sleeping with socks on is an option.

 

Sleep is an essential part of life. Humans spend a third of the day sleeping. Proper restful sleep is necessary for healthy brain and body function. But there are a large number of people who have difficulty falling asleep from time to time. In colder climes, cold hands and feet is a big problem. The lower your body temperature, the harder it will be to get to sleep, because only the right body temperature promotes sleep. Many people feel restless late at night because that’s when the core body temperature drops. This is also when people may wake up in the middle of the night and be unable to go back to sleep.

 

If you suffer from cold feet at night, wearing socks to bed might be a good idea because it assists the body’s internal temperature regulation. Warming up the feet makes the blood vessels dilate, and releases heat through the skin and helps to lower core body temperature. This signals to the brain that it’s time to sleep.

 

Sleeping with socks on also has other benefits, such as:

 

Preventing hot flashes: Menopausal women often experience hot flashes, with symptoms such as a sudden sensation of intense warmth throughout the body, sweating and palpitations, and flushing or reddening of the face. Socks regulate the core body temperature, helping prevent hot flashes because hormonal fluctuations affect the body’s temperature control.

 

Healing cracked heels: Cold and dryness are two big reasons behind cracked heels. Wearing cotton socks after applying a moisturizer can heal your cracked heels and keeps them soft and supple.

 

Decreasing chances of Raynaud’s attack: Raynaud’s disease is when hands and feet become cold, lose circulation, and become numb. Wearing socks can prevent such attacks.

 

Better sex: Research has found that people who wear socks to bed have better chances of having an orgasm during sex. This is because the body’s core temperature stays regulated and keeps away cold feet.

 

What socks to wear

Soft socks made of natural fibers like cashmere or merino wool are best for wearing to bed. Even though more expensive than cotton socks or those made from artificial fibers, natural soft socks are worth every penny because they are gentle on the skin. You must also make sure that the socks you wear are not tight, because tight socks will block circulation and prevent proper warming of the feet.

 

There are other ways to warm your feet before bedtime to facilitate proper sleep. Massaging the feet before bed with massage oil or moisturizer to which a natural circulatory booster like capsaicin cream has been added is one of the ways. This helps in improving blood flow to the feet and keeps them warm. You can also warm your socks before putting them on with a hairdryer or holding them in front of a heater.

 

Always exercise caution when wearing socks to bed because the feet tend to overheat quickly. If you feel hot, take off your socks or stick your feet outside the covers.

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The Morphiis Mattress is unlike any of the others I have reviewed so far. The material used to make this mattress isn’t memory foam. Instead, its a material that is much more responsive and more breathable. What you get is a mattress that sort of mimics latex but is more customizable. In fact, it is so customizable that you get up to 64 different firmness options for each sleeper.  It also comes with a 100 day trial period where you can return it within that time for free, no questions asked.

Unboxing My Morphiis Mattress

Your mattress will arrive in a bag like the one below. The material is compressible and will expand to full shape very quickly.

Here’s a picture of what the mattress looks like rolled up out of the box. Below is says Morphiis firm but those are the extra pieces to make the mattress firmer, there are also soft pieces to make it softer.

Here are the extra pieces you get. As you can see there are plenty of firm and soft pieces and the blocks inside the mattress are the medium firmness blocks.

Upon opening the mattress you will find extra pieces that can be used to customize the firmness. You also get two storage bags for the extra inserts. These will come in handy if you ever need to adjust the firmness in any particular area.

Overview of the Morphiis Mattress

Here’s a quick video overview of the mattress and a demo on how easy it is to switch out the layers. There’s no need to flip the entire mattress like some other brands.

Morphiis Mattress Construction

Below are the construction details as listed on the Morphiis Website.