This post is sponsored by Sleep Number®. As always, all ideas and opinions are entirely my own.
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My husband and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary, and during those 30 years we’ve experienced our fair share of sleep-related issues. He’s a world-class snorer, which has definitely been a challenge at times. And he and I definitely have different preferences where mattresses are concerned. I like things soft and he prefers more firm support. But since marriage is all about compromise, we’ve done our best over the past 3 decades to put up with the less-than-ideal aspects of sharing a bed.
But my views about sleep issues started to change several weeks ago. I was invited to visit my local Sleep Number store in Murray, Utah to learn more about their mattresses, and I had a really great experience there! The store was beautiful and spacious, and the employees were very helpful and knowledgable. An employee named Carly gave me a great introduction to their technology and helped me find out my personal Sleep Number (it’s 35, if you’re curious!) Carly explained to me that a Sleep Number mattress could help solve my sleep issues, since their mattresses are adjustable on both sides. My husband could have the firm support he wanted, and I could have the softer surface I wanted. In my mind, she was telling me we could have our cake AND eat it too, and that’s when I knew I had to have a Sleep Number mattress! (To learn more about why Sleep Number beds are great for couples, click here.)
We’ve been loving our i8 Sleep Number mattress, and I’ve been learning more and more about how important it is to get a good night’s sleep. In fact, after my visit to the Sleep Number store, it dawned on me how little I actually knew about sleep! So today I wanted to share a few of the surprising things that I’ve learned recently about mattresses, beds, and all things sleep-related. Hopefully we can all use these tips to start getting the good night’s rest we all need!
1. You should replace your mattress every 5-10 years.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, a good mattress should have a lifespan of about 7-10 years. After this period, your mattress will be less supportive and less hygienic than it used to be, so it should be replaced with a new model. People who have trouble sleeping or have chronic pain conditions should consider replacing their mattress more often, about every 5-7 years.
However, the guidelines above do not apply to Sleep Number beds. In fact, most of their beds have a 25-year limited warranty. This means that you can expect the lifespan of your Sleep Number bed to be about twice as long as a standard mattress!
2. If you take a long time to fall asleep, it could be a sign to replace your mattress.
Studies suggest that a person who is comfortable should be able to fall asleep in about 15 minutes. If it takes you longer than 15 minutes to fall asleep most nights, you may want to consider replacing your mattress with a comfier or more supportive model.
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If your feet almost always feel cold like mine do, then you probably already know that cold toes and feet can also make it hard to fall asleep. But I recently learned that the new Sleep Number 360 smart beds have a foot-warming feature! Turn it on, get cosy, and you’ll be drifting off to sleep in no time. :-)
3. If you toss and turn during the night, it could be time for a new mattress.
A lumpy mattress with exposed springs should obviously be replaced, but there are other signs to look for as well. If you’re not sleeping as well as you used to, it may be time to consider a new mattress. (Especially if you’re finding it easier to sleep away from home!)
4. Using your bed as your home office can keep you awake at night.
Experts agree that your bed should be a screen-free zone. The screens on modern electronics emit blue light that can disrupt your body’s normal sleep cycle, but that’s not the only reason you should avoid screens close to bedtime. If you’re answering emails or texts before falling asleep, your brain can start to expect that it needs to be more active during that time, which can make it harder for you to fall asleep.
5. The right mattress can reduce your stress levels.
Studies suggest there may be a link between poor sleep and a person’s overall stress levels. A 2009 study found that people who slept on a new, medium-firm mattress experienced less pain and got better sleep, and ultimately reported experiencing a decrease in their stress levels. This suggests that if you’re experiencing a lot of stress in your life, you could probably benefit from a good night’s sleep on a good mattress!
6. You may be allergic to your mattress.
If you are experiencing more allergy or asthma symptoms than usual, it could be caused by dust mites in your mattress and bedding. Yuck! These microscopic creatures feed on dead skin cells and they thrive in warm, moist environments, making your mattress a haven for dust mites. According to WebMD, nearly 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites. If you suspect you might be allergic to dust mites, you may want to consider replacing your mattress to help improve your symptoms.
7. Being well-rested can improve your physical and mental health.
According to Sleep.org, getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night can benefit you in several ways. You may feel less hungry, get sick less often, and have more energy throughout the day. You can also experience mental health benefits, including feeling more productive, having better control of your emotions, and being more focused and able to learn.
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8. There’s no “right answer” when it comes to choosing a good mattress.
Every body is different, which means that different people may need different things in a mattress. It may be a matter of supporting a stiff lower back, or it may just come down to a matter of preference between soft and firm mattresses. The best mattress for you is simply the mattress that gives you the best night’s sleep!
When it comes to finding the perfect mattress, it’s hard to beat a Sleep Number because they’re so customizable! Their mattresses have 21 possible firmness settings, so you can find the one that’s perfect for you. And Sleep Number knows that it takes time to decide if a mattress is the right one, so that’s why they offer a 100 Night In-Home Trial. If you’re not able to find the perfect sleep setting during that period, just send it back!
Another cool thing about Sleep Number mattresses is that they can come equipped with SleepIQ™ technology. SleepIQ uses biometric sensors to track how well you sleep at night, and you can use those insights to help you dial in the perfect settings to get your best sleep ever. (You can learn more about SleepIQ technology and how it works here.)
Win A New Mattress!
Sleep Number is offering a fantastic giveaway just for you guys! One lucky OGT reader will win a queen-sized p5 Sleep Number mattress. To enter the giveaway, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to eligible legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. at least the age of majority in their jurisdiction. Begins: June 26, 2017 at 1:00:00 AM ET. Ends: July 6, 2017 at 12:59:59 AM ET. Subject to Official Rules available at http://mediakix.com/sweepstakes-onegoodthingbyjillee/. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Mediakix LLC.
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While searching measures to cure lower back pain, I found your article. It was really helpful.
I enjoy jillee great tips.
I used to love sleeping on my stomach but after I reached the age of 25 or so, my back would start aching so bad when I did that I had to stop. Now my back aches that way no matter how I sleep if I lay in bed for more than about 6 hours. That makes it really hard to get a full night’s sleep. I’m hoping that a new better mattress will be just the thing that I need to get better rest.
Almost forgot, my closest sleep number store is in St. George, Utah, about 45 minutes away. It’s a brand new store and very nice looking.
Dover Mall store in Dover DE is the closest to me. I take a long time to fall asleep and feel our mattress is to firm, as soon as we bought it we had to put a thick cover over it
My nearest one is only like 10 miles away in Summerlin!
My closest Sleep Number store is in Plainfield which is almost an hour away. I have had a Sleep Number bed for years and would love to win a new one so I can continue to have a good night’s sleep.
Hi-my closet store is Appleton, WI. Macy’s inside Fox River Mall which is 25 minutes away. I would be so very humbled to win a sleep number bed! I struggle with restrictions due to double spinal scoliosis rotation which brings with it uneven pelvis, hips, shoulders and leg length. Throw in multiple cervical disc issues also. I haven’t had a good night sleep in decades. I’m not on disability but have ended my working career related to the above mentioned. Enough of blah blah blah. On an exciting note we are expecting our for grandchild 10/10/17, it’s a boy! Would… Read more »
Sleep Number Rockford is the closest to me. Only 7 miles! My biggest sleep issue is insomnia. I cannot fall asleep and stay asleep all night. A new mattress would be wonderful!
my closest store is 4 miles away. I just got a CPAP machine to help me sleep better at night. I would love to win this mattress to replace my 15 year old mattress and get even better sleep.
The closest store is Geneva for us. Husband is a firefighter so his sleep is not great love to win this for us!