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...

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...

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...

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...

The memory foam mattresses we sleep on today began as a space technology project decades ago. Here’s a quick look at how a NASA invention for astronauts turned into a mattress that can improve your sleep every night. Space-Age Origins In the 1960s, NASA’s Ames Research Center needed better seat cushions for astronauts and test pilots. Aeronautical engineer Charles Yost helped develop an open-cell, viscoelastic foam in 1966. This foam absorbed impact, relieved pressure, and evenly distributed body weight. It was originally called “slow springback foam” because it slowly returned to its original shape. Later, it became known as temper foam. The material responded to pressure and body heat, softening when warm and staying firm when cool. These properties made it ideal for safe, comfortable seating. In 1969, Yost founded Dynamic Systems, Inc. to commercialize the foam. Early versions were sensitive to temperature changes, so the formula was improved over...

You need enough sleep. In fact, your survival literally depends on your ability to rest. Numerous studies have shown strong connection between good sleep and good health. If you get a better quality, longer duration, and greater consistency of sleep, you’ll most likely have a better mood, problem-solving ability, brain performance and so on. And the opposite is also true—poor sleep can undermine your physical health, mental clarity, and emotional resilience, making it clear that prioritizing rest isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for thriving in every aspect of life. Cortisol – a stress hormone the adrenal glands produce – is a key player in this process. When your cortisol levels are well-regulated through quality sleep, you feel calmer, more energetic, and better equipped to handle life’s daily demands. When they’re out of balance, however, you may experience chronic stress, mood swings, and even health risks like high blood...

There’s nothing complicated about buying a mattress, that is until you’re ready to buy one! Then, suddenly, you’re bombarded with so many opinions, myths, and recommendations that it feels impossible to make an informed decision. But when you consider the role a mattress plays in how well you sleep, how your body feels, and even your mood during the day, you can't afford to get it wrong. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the most common misconceptions and the truth behind them to help you make the best choice in your new mattress purchase. Myth 1: Firm Mattresses Are Always Better for Your Back You’ve probably heard people say that a firm mattress is the best option to avoid back pain. But it’s not that simple. A mattress that’s too firm can put extra pressure on your body, especially on sensitive areas like your shoulders, hips, and lower back....

You’ve probably wished someone a good night and sweet dreams more times than you can count. But what exactly are sweet dreams? Are they just pleasant thoughts, or do they have a deeper meaning? Let’s explore the science behind sweet dreams and how they can influence your emotions, creativity, and even your waking life. Understanding Dreams Dreams are the imaginative experiences that our minds generate while we sleep. They’re thought to help the brain process information from the day. Dreams are most vivid during the REM stage of sleep, when your brain activity is almost as high as when you’re awake. While dreaming can also happen during other sleep stages, these dreams are less vivid and harder to remember. On average, you experience 4 to 6 dreams each night, although most slip away from memory quickly. Some people may have as many as 7 dreams in one night, with each...