A good night’s sleep is a luxury for many, especially for adults. According to the 2016 Healthy Living Index Survey, around 46 percent of Filipinos are sleep deprived and at least 32 percent only get a maximum of six hours of sleep a day.
Lack of sleep is bad for health. Ideally, a person needs 7.5 to 8 hours of quality sleep a day to function properly, said the UK’s National Health Service.
Sleep deprivation causes fatigue, irritability, and lack of focus—and that’s just for occasional poor night’s sleep. Several sleepless nights have much more serious mental effects such as difficulty to concentrate and make decisions.
While many desire to get that rejuvenating shuteye, there’s plenty of reasons it can be quite elusive. A premium mattress brand shares five possible culprits that prevent one from having a good night’s sleep.
Late afternoon coffee
Caffeine is a natural memory and energy enhancer, but having coffee after 4:00 p.m. may result in difficulty in sleeping at night. A glass of cold water is a great alternative to get a boost of energy. For a restful slumber, consider replacing that cup of joe with a relaxing and calming chamomile tea.
Extensive workout before bedtime
Try to schedule exercise time in the morning or hit the gym in the afternoon, as a heart-pumping, sweat-dripping cardio workout three hours before going to bed may result in difficulty to snooze off. Those who are busy and only have time to squeeze in a quick workout at night are advised to opt for a casual walk or find some alternative exercises that can be done while lying on bed.
Too much stress and worries
Stress is inevitable, especially for working people, but it is best, as much as you can, to not let it affect sleeping time. Avoid thinking about work or any other issues when in bed. Experts suggest keeping a bedside journal onto which one can write thoughts.
Room lighting and exposure to blue lights
Light exposure impairs the quality of sleep because it prevents the brain from releasing the sleeping hormone, melatonin. The darker the room, the easier for the brain to enter into sleep mode. Additionally, using gadgets and watching TV affect sleep as well as distract mind. If possible, keep phones and gadgets away from bed or bedside table.
Wrong choice of bed
Not all beds, specifically mattresses are created equal. If bed is too hard, it may cause backache and discomfort; if it’s too mushy, it may be uncomfortable and result in poor spine alignment. A good quality mattress is an investment, as a person spends a third of their lifetime sleeping. However, if investing in a full-size mattress is not yet on budget, consider a topper instead.
Comfort Living offers a mattress topper made using gel-infused memory foam technology. According to the brand, its gel-infused topper keeps body temperature down, which slowly lulls the user to sleep. Since its material is also made of cool gel beads, it provides a long-lasting cool surface that molds to the body and relieves pressure points. Prices start at P4,999 for twin/single size.
In addition to toppers and mattresses, Comfort Living also offers premium memory orthopedic pillow and body pillow. Go to www.comfortlivingph.com or call (02) 8425-6989 to order.
