Tag Archives: sleep america

Sleep and Mattress Recommendations

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Call me a sleep geek, but I not only write my own sleep blogs, but I read everyone else’s too.  I think that blogs and articles about sleep and mattresses are really interesting, as long as they are done right.  That being said, here’s my gripe:

It’s ridiculous to write in to a blog and ask the writer to recommend a specific mattress that will solve all your sleep problems.  It’s even more ridiculous for the “sleep expert” blogger to actually recommend such a bed.

Why?  Because everyone has a different body with different support needs, different weight distributions, etc.  Telling me that you’re 5’9 and 180 lbs. in a letter doesn’t tell me if you carry your weight in your belly, or if you have really broad shoulders, or if you have chicken legs.  Telling me that you sleep on your side doesn’t tell me if your legs are stretched out or pulled up to your chest, or if your arm is under your pillow.  Telling me that you have occasional lower back pain doesn’t tell me if it hurts after you go golfing, if you have a physical job, if you medicate daily with aspirin, etc.  Telling me that you have a herniated disc in your back doesn’t tell me what position is the most comfortable for you to sleep in, or if your doctor has recommended a specific type of mattress or way of sleeping.  You get the drift?

And really, you’re going to trust this guy?

So, as self-centric as I am, I tell you what brands I like, and which brands have the broadest appeal.  I also tell you which comfort levels are usually better for which types of sleeper, to be used as a loose guideline.  You will never find a post in my blog which has a specific mattress recommendation for a specific problem. 

If you’re set on having someone else choose your bed, feel free to write to those other sleep bloggers, and ask for their advice.  However, if you don’t like their recommendation, be prepared to foot the bill for exchanging your mattress, with no assistance from the blogger.  Just sayin’.

What’s a customer to do?  Talk to someone who knows what they’re talking about, and who asks you a million questions about your body and sleep habits.  It might be calling Customer Service at 855-377-6669, or going into a local store to find an expert that can help you.  Lie on some mattresses; see what general feel is the most comfortable to you.  Try out a few different brands, and see which ones feel better than others.  THEN, go online and find the best prices that you can (preferably on DrSnooze.com – you know that was coming). 

So good luck with your search, and take your mattress buying experience into your own hands.

Sleep: You Just Might Be Doing It Wrong

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Sleeping positionsIf you’ve been reading my blogs, you’ll notice that I recommend softer beds for side sleepers, medium beds for back sleepers, and medium firm beds for stomach sleepers.  I say this because most of the time, these average firmness levels help keep the sleeper’s spine in alignment.  But sometimes, folks, it’s not the bed.  It’s possible that you’re just sleeping wrong (position-wise).  Check out this info graphic about sleeping positions.  If you have arthritis, did you know that sleeping in the fetal position can be making it worse?  Or that acid reflux is increased in stomach sleepers?  If you’re concerned about wrinkles, try your best to sleep on your back, as all other positions will increase the pull on your skin.

According to the graphic, everyone should be sleeping on their back.  It reduces wrinkles and acid reflux, and can help prevent back and neck pain.  And, if snoring isn’t a problem, then this might be the just right position for you.  If it’s not comfortable, try putting a pillow under your knees, to elevate your legs slightly, this will ease the pressure on your lower back.  For a mattress, try the Bernardsville Plush Pillow Top by Beautyrest Recharge.  It’s that just right combination of firm support, and soft padding that’s not overwhelming.

Most of us sleep on our sides, because it just tends to be the most comfortable.  While the graphic says that it’s not so great for wrinkle free skin and perky breasts, that’s why they created plastic surgery, right?  Side sleepers don’t snore, and usually have less acid reflux.  And true, it is the requisite sleeping position for expectant mothers (how else are they supposed to sleep without smashing up their insides, and still being able to breathe?!?).  To open up your hips, place a poufy pillow between your knees to make your spinal position better.  Try the Comforpedic Balanced Days, which is really pressure relieving since most of your weight will be on your hip and shoulder, and will offer great support.

Does anyone over the age of five still sleep in the fetal position?  By pulling your legs up towards your chest, you are pushing your hip further into the mattress, which creates pressure points.  Your back is curved, which ends up being painful, and believe me, no pregnant lady is sleeping with her knees smashed up against her belly.  If this is the ONLY way that you can sleep, try putting a pillow between your knees to help with the hip problem, or find a bed that’s more comfortable for different positions, like the Comforpedic Renewed Energy.  I’d bet that you’d be able to train your body to sleep a different way on a more supportive and comfortable bed.

sleeping positions

Finally, stomach sleepers.  I never really understood them.  I once tried to sleep on my stomach, and couldn’t do it.  My neck and back hurt, I didn’t know where to put my arms, and I was being suffocated by the pillow.  It’s my personal opinion that these people sleep this way because they are resting on a bed that is too firm, and is creating pressure when they sleep on their sides, and isn’t adequately supporting their lumbar region when they are on their back.  If the bed isn’t providing cushioning, you might as well use your own natural softness, right?  The problem is that it’s a vicious cycle – stomach sleepers need to sleep on something firm, which means that the chances of them changing their sleep position are slim, because it’s just not going to be as comfortable as sleeping on their stomach.  If you sleep on your stomach and don’t have neck and back pain, then you belong in the circus.  However, if you’re a die-hard tummy fan, then get a Recharge Dennet Luxury Firm.  It’s firm enough to keep you breathing, but not too firm that it would be uncomfortable if you decided to make a position change for the better.  To ease your lumbar pain that you’re surely having, you can try to put a pillow under your hips, to relieve some of the pressure on your lumbar.

As for me, I sleep mostly on my side, sometimes on my back.  My husband sleeps on his back, until I shove him onto his side to stem the snoring.  Any way that you go, make sure that you choose a new mattress that will fit the way that you sleep.  And if you go into a store to shop, make sure that you try out that test bed in the way that you actually sleep.  Just a tip.

Important Articles on Sleeping Positions worth reading:

Slide show: Sleeping positions that reduce back pain

Suffering from Low Back Pain? This article might help you

Your Sleeping Position  – Get Clue on what kind of person you are!

Low Back Pain ? Wondering if Sleeping on Floor helps? Have a READ!

A Video Demonstration – Best Sleeping Positions to reduce Stress.