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| Good Sleep Zone |
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| Trouble sleeping? Check your mattress and pillow! |
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| Here's what leading studies show: |
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 | Mattresses don't have to be as hard as a board to be good for you, though some people may prefer a firmer feel. Today, mattresses are built with luxurious new cushioning materials which feel plusher and whose core provides necessary support for your body. |
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| The choice of your pillow depends on the kind of mattress you own. If your mattress is soft, choose a fatter pillow; if your mattress is firm, a thinner one. |
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| All pillows are not created equal. A soft pillow for a stomach sleeper, medium pillow for a back sleeper and a firm one for a side sleeper - choose one that feels good to you. |
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| Your pillow should maintain a height of 4 to 6 inches, properly supporting the head and neck. |
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| Pillows should be replaced every one to two years to ensure proper hygiene as it absorbs a lot of sweat and can also lead to body aches once it loses its support. On an average, over a 2-year period a pillow collects up to 2 pounds of allergy causing dust mite feces. |
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| Life of a good quality mattress is eight to 10 years. But the weight and the sleep habits of the people who sleep on a mattress all factor into how long it will maintain optimum performance. |
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| Mattresses |
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| When to change: Every eight to ten years. Vacuum monthly, turn every six months. |
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| Why: According to Sleep Council, we excrete half a pint of moisture every night- perfect for dust mites. The skin scales we shed provide a constant source of food for them. The average bed contains more than ten thousand house dust mites (resulting in over two million droppings), according to Allergy, UK. This can trigger a hypersensitive reaction in those with a genetic disposition to allergies - causing hay fever, asthma and eczema. |
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| Pillows |
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| When to change: Wash every three months or replace every six to twelve months. |
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| Why: After just six months, ten percent of your pillow is made up of dust mites, dust mite faeces and sweat, says the Pillow and Duvet Association. When inhaled, this dust mite waste leaves people more susceptible to asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis |
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| Duvets and Sheets |
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| When to change: Wash duvets every six months. Launder bed linen weekly. |
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| Why: A study by the University of Worcester revealed some duvets harbor dead and live dust mites, skin scales, eggs, pollen grains and stains - including body fluids - and all contained traces of house dust mite allergen, bacteria and fungal spores. These can cause symptoms of asthma, rhinitis, worsen eczema and cause conjunctivitis. |
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References:
http://www.bettersleep.org
http://www.spine-health.com
http:// www.sears.ca |
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How can I tell if I need a new mattress?
When was the last time you thought about your mattress? Many of us forget that our mattresses are the most utilized piece of furniture we own. In fact, if you sleep eight hours a night, in one year you'll rack up 3,000 hours on your mattress. After 10 years, you'll have logged 30,000 hours on the same bed. Listed below are a few hints that indicate it's time to start thinking about renewing your sleep surface. |
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You bought your current mattress over eight years ago.
The average life span of a quality mattress is eight to ten years. Hush recommends that you change your mattress every 8 years. Mattresses older than that suffer from deteriorating comfort features and diminished support capabilities. |
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You wake up feeling more tired than when you went to sleep.
Most consumers wait too long to replace their mattresses. If you don't wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated - or if you feel any pain or discomfort - you've definitely waited too long. |
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Your spine should look the same when you're lying down as it does when you're standing up. When selecting a mattress, keep in mind that your body should be able to relax, with your spine supported in its natural curve. |
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The couch feels more comfortable than your bed.
Concentrate on the feel of your mattress. Do you feel coils or bumps? Your body needs a smooth comfortable sleep surface to get a regenerative night's sleep. Your mattress should enable you to sleep through the night with minimal tossing and turning. |
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Your mattress looks like your grandmother's mattress.
Inspect your mattress regularly for sags and imprints. If your mattress appears uneven or worn and frayed, maybe its time to start shopping. The upholstery layers in all mattresses compress over time. For optimal performance, be sure to flip your mattress occasionally to extend its durability and renew its comfort. If you "inherited" your mattress from a family member or friend, chances are you need to replace it now. |
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You've taken your mattress for granted.
Mattresses are the most used yet most ignored piece of furniture in the house. Pay attention to your mattress. Do you hear creaks and groans? Do you notice the surface sags or indents in certain areas and not in others? The condition of your mattress may come as a surprise, once you take a close look. |
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How much should I spend on a new sleep set?
Mattress prices range greatly: from Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 180,000 for a set. A good night's sleep is one of the best investments you can make, so buy the best mattress you can afford. Keep in mind that most of us spend as much as one-third of our time in bed. Your investment will cost just pennies per night over the next ten years! In fact, a Rs. 40,000 sleep set costs less than Rs. 11 per night (based on a full 10-year warranty). |
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How long should my bedding last?
The Better Sleep Council (UK), advises consumers to buy the highest quality bedding they can afford, then replace old bedding every 8-10 years. After this many years, even the best bedding may no longer provide the comfort and support you deserve. |
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Should I replace my foundation when purchasing a new mattress?
Yes! A good foundation (otherwise known as a "boxspring") is as important as a good mattress! It acts much like a large shock absorber, taking a lot of the nightly wear and tear. And it contributes to your comfort and support. Don't put a new mattress on an old foundation. When you select the mattress, purchase its companion foundation. The two are designed to work best together. |
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How do I make sure I get adequate support in a sleep system?
A good mattress and foundation will support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same posture as when you are standing. |
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What role does the mattress play in producing higher quality sleep?
Optimizing the level of support the spine receives during the night is paramount to getting quality sleep. Studies show that when the correct amount of support is supplied, the spine remains aligned and a person can enjoy a thorough rest period for the entire night. However, if the spine is not aligned due to a non-supportive sleep surface, a person's back muscles work throughout the night in an attempt to position the spine properly. As a result, they wake up feeling sore and unrested. |
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How do I care for my mattress?
Give your new sleep set time to "air" upon removal from its plastic packaging. Dispose of all plastic packaging as soon as possible. |
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Carry your mattress flat on its side. It's easier to handle and you'll be less likely to damage the mattress. |
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Keep your bedding clean. Hush recommends using a mattress protector. |
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Replace the old foundation when purchasing a new mattress. An old foundation may not provide sufficient support. It may appear that your new mattress is sagging when it is actually the foundation, which supports the mattress, that has become worn. |
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Use an appropriate frame and center support for queen and king size sets. Using the proper frame will ensure that your warranty remains in effect. |
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Turn your mattress occasionally to prolong the comfort and support life. Body indentations are a normal occurrence in your new mattress and indicate that the upholstery layers are conforming to your body's individual contours. You'll be pleasantly surprised with that "new mattress feeling" every time you turn your mattress. |
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Don't let anyone stand or jump on your mattress. It wasn't built for that type of weight distribution or abuse. |
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Don't allow your mattress to get wet. Some of the upholstery materials may compress. Protect it from water or other liquids. |
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Don't place a board between your mattress and foundation. Your sleep set is designed as an integrated system to provide you with proper support, and the foundation plays an important role. |
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