Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Projects
These two mattress toppers are relatively affordable solutions to a restless night's sleep. Photos: Organicpedic by OMI
For many (including me) a good night's sleep is hard to come by. According to the National Sleep Foundation, 48-percent of Americans report insomnia occasionally, while 22-percent experience insomnia every, or almost every, night. While they may not cure the sleeplessness caused by the stress of our daily lives, several factors -- like what we sleep on -- can play an important role in improving it.
"The number one cause of tossing and turning is pressure points," says Gerry Borreggine, president of Therapedic International, vice chair of The International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) Board of Trustees and member of the Better Sleep Council for more than a decade. "This is usually caused by a too-hard or unyielding sleep surface."
A new mattress can cost hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars, so does that mean that those of us with an unyielding sleep surface and an unyielding wallet are out of luck? Nope.
"Both memory foam and latex pillows can help to relieve pressure points," Borreggine says, "allowing the sleeper increased blood circulation and reducing the need to toss or turn in order to find that perfect sleep position."
With the help of Borreggine we were able to round up some such products at prices that won't have you tossing and turning over your bank account.
Top it Off
If you can't afford a new mattress, Borreggine says, give yourself a bedding makeover by changing your pillow, adding a new, quilted mattress protector or even a new memory foam or latex topper to your mattress set. "Any -- or all -- of these products will give your bedroom set a face-lift, and very possibly supply a 'lift' to you as well," he says.
Pictured: The Wooly, three inches deep for sleepers who need a softer surface depth or want a bed with a "nesting" feel, $389, Organicpedic by OMI
The Wooly Lite, one and a half inches deep, suited for sleepers who need just a little extra surface cushioning, $295, Organicpedic by OMI
Modern updates to how sleep products are made will help you rest easy. Photos: Therapedic International
Like everything else in our day-to-day lives, technology has also revolutionized comfort in the bedroom too. "You'll find many of the latest bedding products equipped with breathable, anti-sweat materials that control humidity and allow air to circulate through it; bedding products with antimicrobial and hypoallergenic qualities are also available," Borreggine says. "The result is a cooler, more refreshing sleep, less sleep disruptions and ultimately, bedding that delivers improved health benefits."
Technology is also playing a huge role in the newer, more resilient and better-cushioned sleep products, he adds. When molded, layered or positioned within sleep accessories these materials have greatly increased the degree of comfort provided by beds, pillows and toppers on the market today. Look for these up-to-date products when purchasing new bedding, mattresses or pillows.
Therapedic Memory Touch Visco-Tech Mattress Topper, $150 (twin) to $300 (king), Bed Bath & Beyond.
This mattress topper features ViscoTech memory foam. With three inches of temperature-sensitive memory foam, this topper adds a nice layer of comfort to any mattress. Best of all, memory foam improves support to your lower back and reduces pressure areas that cause tossing and turning.
Therapedic Fiber Bed, $100 (twin) to $180 (king), Bed Bath & Beyond.
This channel quilted fiber bed is filled with 43 ounces per square yard of polyester fiberfill for extra sleeping comfort. It's also treated with Invisashield Plus by Nanotex protecting it from stains and spills, and with 100-percent cotton and a 500 thread count the comfort level is beyond compare at this price.
End the battle over a comfy night's sleep by getting a pillow that fits your rest style. Photos: Glide Away
It's a Pillow Fight
Of course, not everyone sleeps the same. And if you have a nightly sleeping companion, chances are high that you'll have opposite preferences on comfort levels -- you're a stomach sleeper who prefers a firm mattress; he's a side sleeper who likes it cloud-like.
"The one-size-fits-all concept does not work when selecting sleep products," Borreggine says. "We all have a comfort zone in almost everything we do - what we each find comfortable determines how well we sleep."
The "perfect" mattress argument may continue for the drastically different sleepers -- but you can each get a better night's sleep by personalizing your pillow to fit your specific sleep patterns. Stomach sleeper or side sleeper? Get a pillow that's best for your style.
Pictured: Contour Deluxe pillow, a memory foam pillow designed for back or side sleepers, and unique air chambers allow for a cooler night's rest, $49.95, Glide Away
Regent Luxury pillow, a latex pillow with a traditional shape that's perfect for all sleepers, $69.95, Glide Away
Still Struggling with Sleep?
Six Steps to Better Sleep
Sleep like a baby! (And wake up feeling younger)