  If you want a good night's sleep, your bedroom should be a smartphone- and laptop-free zone, say the experts. |
The most common question Nicholas Vardon gets asked when people walk into his store is: “How do you put sheets on this bed?” Vardon, a trained specialist with 188-year-old luxury bed-maker Hästens, says it’s not surprising. “That’s what we’re all about,” says Vardon, “the aesthetics of the bed.”
But sleep isn’t supposed to be about what looks good, says Vardon. It’s about what’s good for your body.
In fact, the first thing Vardon asks customers to do is lie down on one of the display beds. When you do that, you’re able to educate yourself, he says.
“Sleep … can be incredibly rewarding to your daily routine if you’re willing take it seriously,” says Vardon.
That’ll be even more critical this weekend, when we “spring forward” to Daylight Saving Time and, as a result, lose an hour of sleep.
After his customers get cozy, Vardon proceeds to ask a series of lifestyle questions to determine what type of bed will best suit that person’s sleep habits. He takes into account things such as exercise routine, smoking and drinking habits, type of sheets used and even pajamas (or lack thereof). All these factors play a role in what kind of sleep you’re going to get.
If you’re in the market for a new bed, it’s important to remember that beds have two components, says Dave Friesema, chief operating officer with Sleep Country Canada.
“Number one is comfort,” says Friesema. “And number two is support.”
It’s also essential to understand that beds come in different shapes, sizes and styles.
“What might be comfortable to others might not be comfortable to you,” says Friesema.
If a new bed isn’t currently in the budget, there are still things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best possible night’s sleep.
“Have a consistent light level and noise level in your room,” says Friesema. “Consistency is important. So is your nightly routine.”
Other things, like avoiding nicotine, caffeine and alcohol and not exercising close to bedtime can also be beneficial to your sleep.
But one of the most important things you can do, says Friesema, is make sure you consider your bed a place to sleep. This means putting away the BlackBerry, shutting off the computer and turning off the television.
Dr. Atul Khullar, who works with the Northern Alberta Sleep Clinic, agrees. “It’s important that people stop taking work to bed,” he says.
If you find yourself lying awake at night, Khullar advises you to get up and do something boring. If you can’t slow your mind down, try writing or journaling, putting together a problem list and then putting it away until morning.
Solid rest is so beneficial to daily life, says Khullar. It improves memory and decision-making skills, allows you to think clearly and reduces the risk of infections, diabetes, heart disease, exhaustion and other conditions. Despite all these benefits, Khullar says, statistics still show that people just aren’t getting the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
“It’s the one thing that gets short-changed in our lives,” he says. “You will be far more functional in your daily life if you’re getting a sleep.”
A common statistic you’ll hear is that 1/3 of your life is spent in bed.
Hästens’ Vardon, however, likes to look at this from the other side.
“That means we spend 2/3 of our life out of bed. This is why we sleep,” he says. “Think about the things we do when we’re not sleeping. We love, we hug, we make money, we make decisions. Why shouldn’t we be happy, healthy and well-rested through all of this?”
4 steps to choosing the right bed
Source: hastens.com
1. Talk to the pros
Always start by consulting with the store’s salesperson. They are educated to help you find the right bed by asking you questions about your lifestyle and looking at your sleeping position.
2. Take your time
You will need at least 30 minutes to try the different beds available in the store. Remove your outdoor clothing and lie down in your normal sleeping position. Take a few minutes to relax and feel the bed against your body.
3. Comparison shop
Always compare two different firmnesses of the same bed model before making your final choice. The right bed is one you lie in, not one you lie on top of or sink right in to.
4. Make the choice
If you are torn between a bed that’s slightly firmer and another that’s slightly softer, opt for firmness. The right bed is comfortable and gives you the support you need to get a good night’s rest.
Secrets to a successful sleep
Source: Better Sleep Council of Canada
Understand your internal clock
Everyone’s body requires a certain amount of sleep to re-energize and feel well rested. If your body is getting the sleep it needs, you should feel fully alert the next day. Most adults need between 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Evaluate your sleep setting
We spend one-third of our lives sleeping, but many people neglect to evaluate their sleep environment. A mattress and foundation provide optimum service for about eight to 10 years of nightly use. After that, your body’s needs have changed, and so has the comfort and support of your mattress.
Make sleep a part of your healthy lifestyle
A good night’s sleep is a major component to healthy living. The amount and quality of sleep you get directly affects your health and well-being. Without it, your mood, energy and productivity are all at risk.
