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Mattresses in Space: What Do Astronauts Sleep On Up There?

In a recent article, we explored how a NASA invention for astronauts turned into memory foam mattresses that improve our sleep every night (see From NASA to Your Bedroom: The Evolution of Memory Foam Mattresses). But what about the astronauts themselves? Up on the International Space Station (ISS), crew members aren’t dozing on king-size beds; they’re cocooned in sleeping bags attached to the wall as they hurtle around Earth at 17,500 mph. In fact, an astronaut on the ISS experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours, making a “normal” night’s sleep a bit of a cosmic challenge. It sounds wild, yet many astronauts insist that sleeping in space can be extremely comfortable – perhaps even more comfortable than on Earth – once you get used to it. How Astronauts Go to Bed Astronauts don’t use traditional mattresses in space. Instead, each crew member sleeps solo in a small, closet-like...

Kevin Spencer - Aug 11, 2025

Customize Your Sleep with an Adjustable Bed

If you’re tired of tossing and turning or waking up with aches and pains, an adjustable bed base might be the solution for you. Unlike a flat frame, an adjustable base lets you raise the head or feet (or both) into positions a standard bed can’t. These changes may seem small, but they add up to big benefits. For example: Elevating your upper body a few inches can reduce snoring and ease Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) by keeping stomach acid down. Lifting your legs helps blood flow back to your heart, cutting down on swelling and leg pain. In short, adjustable beds help people improve sleep quality by matching the bed to their body’s needs. Many users find that customizing the incline relieves chronic pain. Slight leg lifts can take pressure off the lower back, and raising the head can ease neck tension, while the “zero-gravity” preset (head and legs lifted)...

Kevin Spencer - Jul 22, 2025

Jet Lag Recovery: Can Your Mattress Help You Adjust Faster?

Jet lag is essentially a circadian rhythm sleep disorder. Normally, your body clock is tuned to the 24-hour day–night cycle: daylight keeps you awake, and darkness tells your brain it’s time for sleep. But when you zoom across several time zones in a matter of hours, your internal clock can’t instantly catch up. For example, if you fly from New York to London and arrive at 11 PM local time, your body might still feel like its 6 PM back in New York, making it hard to fall asleep. Your body then goes through a “recouping” phase – sometimes linked to the growing pains of adjusting to a new schedule. The adjustment takes time. In practice, your circadian clock shifts by roughly 1–1.5 hours per day as you reset to the new zone. This means if you cross, say, 6 time zones, it could take around 4–6 days to adapt...

Kevin Spencer - Jul 16, 2025

Taylor & Wells: American-Made Comfort You Can Count On

Let’s face it. Your mattress matters. It’s where you unwind after long days, snuggle up with your kids or pets, and hopefully get the kind of deep, pain-free rest that makes mornings feel a little brighter. So when your bed isn’t cutting it anymore, maybe it’s too small, too soft, or just worn out, it’s time for something better. That’s what you get with Taylor & Wells: premium mattresses that are made right here in the USA, to support American jobs and your wallet as well. Let’s break down why a Taylor & Wells mattress, especially their massive Family Bed, could be exactly what your sleep (and space) has been missing. Built with Pride The thing about an American made mattress is that it’s built with a level of care you just don’t find in mass-produced imports. When your bed is handcrafted here in the US, it means every stitch,...

Kevin Spencer - Jul 11, 2025

Napping Like a Pro: How Power Naps Enhance Productivity and Health

You know that moment, when your brain checks out, your eyelids get heavy, and everything just feels… slower? It usually hits right after lunch, and no, it’s not just you. Turns out, your body’s wired for a midday dip in energy. And the fix isn’t always another cup of coffee. Sometimes, what you really need is a quick nap. That’s why companies like Google and Ben & Jerry’s have built nap rooms into their offices. They know what NASA discovered: a short nap can boost alertness by 54% and improve performance by 34%. Why Power Naps Work The magic of power naps lie in their timing. When you rest for a short period, usually between 10 and 20 minutes, your brain stays in the lighter stages of sleep. Your body relaxes, your mind clears, and stress levels drop. This short burst of rest helps improve focus, lift your mood, and...

Kevin Spencer - Jul 07, 2025

How Temperature-Sensitive Mattresses Improve Sleep for Hot Sleepers

If you often wake up drenched in sweat or feel hot at night, your body may be trying to tell you something: it’s too hot to sleep. Sleeping hot is a common problem. According to a joint study by Gallup, a majority of US adults (57%) report being too hot while sleeping at least occasionally, compared to only 37% who report being too cold. For hot sleepers, this constant battle against body heat disrupts sleep quality. That’s where temperature control mattresses come in. Designed with innovative materials such as cooling gel, breathable memory foam, and moisture-wicking covers, these mattresses aim to reduce nighttime heat and create an ideal sleeping climate. Let’s explore why overheating affects sleep, how new mattress technologies are helping, and why your current setup—including your bed frame, mattress, and accessories—might be working against your health and comfort. The Real Impact of Overheating at Night The human body...

Kevin Spencer - Jun 30, 2025

Are You Chronically Sleep-Deprived? Signs & Solutions to Rest Better

Sleep deprivation means regularly getting less rest than your body needs. It can be caused by stress, hectic schedules, medical problems, or simply sleeping on an old, uncomfortable bed. Poor sleep patterns over time can confuse your nervous system and reduce the amount of sleep your body gets, even if you spend hours in bed. Over time, being sleep-deprived takes a heavy toll on your body and mind. In the US, about one in three adults gets less than seven hours of sleep a night, and around 50 to 70 million people struggle with sleep disorders, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Sleep deprivation can be either short-term (lasting a few days) or chronic (lasting weeks or longer). Common Signs of Sleep Deprivation If you are not getting enough rest, you might experience one or more of the following signs: Excessive fatigue during the day, feeling sleepy,...

Kevin Spencer - Jun 23, 2025

The Best Mattresses for Farm Life: Durability Meets Comfort

Farm life can be both rewarding and exhausting. Long days tending fields and livestock often lead to sore muscles and achy joints by nightfall. After those long, exhausting days, the last thing you need is a lumpy, unsupportive bed hindering your rest. A durable, comfortable mattress designed for farm life can make a difference, helping you fall asleep faster, stay asleep through the night, and wake up rejuvenated for another early morning on the land. The Toll of Farm Life on Sleep Quality As a farmer, physical labor and irregular schedules are mostly a part of your lifestyle. But it gets tougher during the planting, calving, harvesting, etc., seasons because there’s so much to do. As a result, you might sleep less and end up accumulating sleep debt. According to recent studies, farmers spend about 25 fewer minutes in bed and lose almost 30 minutes of sleep every night. Of...

Kevin Spencer - May 30, 2025