Thursday 23 May 2019

Science of sleep: The power of shut-eye

You have quality sleep if you feel rested and fresh when you wake up.

You have quality sleep if you feel rested and fresh when you wake up.

As technology has changed the way we live, with things such as

phones and computers that ruin our sleep routines, we need to

better understand the value of sleep

Falling asleep late at night, sleeping less than usual or the inability to sleep very
well invite illnesses and psychological problems, such as depression, stroke,
diabetes, cancer, unhappiness and tension. Do we know what sleeping means?
If we understand the science behind sleep, can we solve the mystery of our body?

American media boss Arianna Huffington decided to change not only her career
but also her life when she fainted due to fatigue. This successful, renowned
businesswoman adopted a healthy and adequate sleep routine. She never starts
her day without good sleep. If you ask her the key to success, she says it all comes
down to sleep.
When she was on the verge of burnout, Huffington caught a life success by
learning the art of sleeping. Is poor sleep the mother of all unhappiness? Chest
Disease Specialist Dr. Ender Levent talked about this question.
Are you really asleep?
Since present city life does not allow proper, healthy sleep, Dr. Levent said:
"We cannot even recognize the signals that our bodies give as there are lots of
sounds and images around us. We are exposed to televisions and computers.
The tempo of city and business life creates great pressure, and we all have many
things to do. We cannot understand whether we are sleepy or tired. Our priority
is to finish our work. When our condition is like that, our sleep routine is
disturbed."
How much sleep do we need?
Sleep needs changes with age. A newborn sleeps 16-18 hours while adolescents
sleep 10 hours. Adults generally sleep 6-8 hours. Even if this period is spent sleeping,
people can still have sleep problems. If we slept 6-8 hours, we'd have good sleep.
If we feel rested, fresh and ready for the day, this is the sign of quality sleep.
However, if you feel tired and sleepless while starting the day, there's a sleep
problem.
According to international classification, there are more than 70 sleeping disorders.
The most common is sleep apnea: when you stop breathing for at least 10 seconds
at night and oxygen levels decrease.
Sleeping disorders can be diagnosed with polysomnography in sleep laboratories.
If respiration stops 10 or more seconds in an hour five or more times, there is sleep
apnea. However, some people stop breathing every half-minute. Thus, we cannot
mention quality sleep or rest here.
Doctors treat anatomic problems that prevent respiration and cause sleep apnea,
like micrognathia, nasal congestion and enlarged tonsils surgically. If there is no
such problem, a device with a mask can blow pressured air into patients while they
sleep.

What happens if we don't sleep?
Does lack of sleep carry a high price? According to Dr. Levent, sleeplessness
causes an individual to feel tired, angry and depressed and lack attention. Reflexes
slow and perception problems occur. Resistance to leptin hormones appears,
causing compulsive eating and weight gain. Insulin resistance is seen and stress
hormones are secreted. In particular, sleep apnea activates hormones that affect
the sympathetic system, causing a speedup in heart rhythm, an increase in blood
pressure and the risk of stroke. As oxygen in the blood decreases, the body pumps
more blood to the brain to satisfy the oxygen need of the brain. This causes people
to wake up with a headache in the mornings. Many diseases like high cholesterol,
blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases can also occur. That is, your
body cannot resist sleeplessness even if you say you can. These illnesses shorten
lifespan.
Easiest prescription: Napping
To feel fresh and healthy, take naps. A half-hour of sleep at noon equals one-and-
a-half hours of sleep at night. Children should go to bed before 10 p.m., while
adults should be in bed before 11.00 p.m. so that hormones can perform properly.

Golden rules of sleep

Sleep at the same time every day.
Stop using computers, televisions and phones at least an hour before sleeping.
Stay away from drinks with alcohol and caffeine at least four hours before sleep.
The bedroom should be silent and quiet.
Use curtains that totally block light. In utter darkness, melatonin hormones are
secreted.
Sleep on a comfortable bed from Bed King and in comfortable clothes.
Bedroom temperature should not be high.
No electronic devices in the bedroom.
Only use bedroom for sleeping.




Article source: https://www.dailysabah.com/health/2019/04/08/science-of-sleep-the-power-of-shut-
eye

Monday 6 May 2019

How to Make a Pull Out Sleeper Couch More Comfortable


Sleeper couches offer an extra bed for guests and convenient seating for those who live in the household. The kids love sleeper couches for sleepovers, and they are perfect for sick days when cuddling up in front of the television with warm soup helps to heal. Though a pull-out sofa bed comes with many benefits, it usually lacks in the comfort department. Find out how to create a comfortable sleeper sofa your household and overnight guests love to sleep on.
1. Add a Mattress Topper

The easiest way to improve the comfort of a sleeper sofa is to add a mattress topper.
The extra padding helps to make it easier on the back and more comfortable to sleep on.
Both memory foam and down mattress toppers exist for sleeper sofa mattresses, along with toppers
made of other materials. The material is simply a matter of preference; as long as it is thick,
it adds more comfort to the base mattress.

  2. Buy a New Mattress

Another way to improve the comfort of a pull out couch is to buy a new mattress. Most mattresses
for sofa beds range in width from 4 to 5 inches. Thicker mattresses are more comfortable.
Replace the original mattress with a new sofa bed mattress to make a world of difference in terms
of comfort.

  3. Fill in Gaps With Pillows

Another way to improve the comfort level of a sofa bed is to fill any gaps with pillows.
This gives the sleeper more room to spread out while sleeping, thus making it more comfortable.
Additionally, filling up the gap with a second pillow can keep the sleeping pillow in place and give
you a better night’s sleep. Read the Top 5 Things to Consider When Buying a Pillow to get the
most comfortable option for your sofa bed.




4. Sleep on Quality Bedding

The comfort level on a sleeper sofa is directly related to the quality of the bedding. Comfortable
bedding can significantly improve the quality of sleep you get. Most pull-out sofa beds are full-size
but other sizes are on the market, too. Shop for bedding that specifically matches the size of your
sofa bed, and consider buying mattress clips to keep the sheets in place, especially if you do not
plan to use a topper on the mattress.

5. Keep the Mattress Clean

Keeping the sleeper sofa mattress clean also helps to ensure a good night’s sleep. Clean
the mattress with a vacuum; a small handheld unit is perfect for this task, since the space of a sofa
bed tends to be fairly small. Additionally, a handheld vacuum is portable, so you can reach the middle
of the bed with ease. If you have a down mattress on the sofa bed, fluff it in the dryer with a dryer
sheet following each use to bring more comfort and add a pleasant scent.

6. Sleep on a Duvet

If you need a solution for a more comfortable sleeper sofa in a pinch, consider sleeping on a duvet
instead of using it to cover yourself. Most duvets are thick enough to offer extra support and comfort
where you need it. Duvets also add an opportunity for more warmth, especially if made of a material
such as down.

If you’re in need of a quality and comfortable sleeper couch - visit Bed King here.