Who knew? I bet most of us had an inkling but exactly which plants are the best at helping you sleep and whyf? Which plants are easiest to take care of? And which plants will look the best in your bedroom? Let’s take a few moments to delve into this subject.   The Secret Life of Plants We’re finding out more and more about the health benefits of plants. And yes, plants can help you sleep better. We’re even finding out some puzzling things about plants we didn’t think were possible. For example, we’ve known for a long time that playing classical music for our plants and talking to them helps them thrive. Of course, the same can be said for our teenagers, but some teenagers talk back a lot. As it turns out, plants talk a lot, too – not so much to us but to each other....

  Congratulations – you finally bought the mattress of your dreams. And even better, now you have the opportunity to carefully select the best pillows, the best sheets, the best frame, and all the other goodies that can help you create a wonderful sleeping experience. Of course, starting with a great mattress is the most important decision you can make, but please don’t cheat yourself out of enjoying the finest accessories. Quality accessories last a long time, and they’ll be worth every penny every night they pamper you.    Stop – Do Not Buy a Mattress Topper Would you put a band-aid on a broken limb? It might make you feel like you’re fixing the problem, but you’re just covering it up. It’s the same with a mattress topper. If you’re considering a mattress topper because you’ve noticed your mattress has somehow changed, this is a clear sign you need...

  Yes, they do. Even though we cannot directly observe another being’s dreams, according to many studies, scientists agree that dogs and, in fact, most mammals have dreams. This is something you may have already noticed. If you watch your dog carefully as they sleep, sometimes you can see them moving their paws as if they’re running. Other times you may notice Rapid Eye Movement (REM), and this is one of the most telling signs of being in a dream state.   Snuggling With Your Dog Can Lower Your Blood Pressure It’s just one of the health benefits of interacting with a beloved pet. Studies show petting a cat or dog can lower your blood pressure. Pet owners generally feel calmer when they’re snuggling with their pets.       Petting an animal can also lower your heart rate. Pet owners know this already. No matter how stressful your day starts, the...

  Take care of your bedding, and it will take care of you. You already know this is true. Want to know how? Think about the best hotel you've been to. You walk in the room, and there it is – a big, beautiful bed that looks like it's ready for royalty. And when you get in, it feels even better than it looks. Ahhh, you feel like a million bucks. There's nothing like it. Right? Well, there could be. There's no reason why you can't enjoy the same feeling of luxury every night in your own home. It's not all about your mattress or your bed frame. Bedding and sheets are just as important. Depending on your budget, make sure you set aside enough to get the bedding that will make a difference.         Good quality bedding is worth every penny It's not like you buy...

  Prepare thyself. You're about to step into the great unknown. The last person who set out to discover how many comforter sizes there are hasn't been heard from again. Elon Musk has a better chance of landing on Mars than we do of getting to the bottom of this question. But we're in this together, so be brave, pack a snack, and no matter what you see or what you hear, never, ever let go of your handy dandy measuring tape. Here's one for you. Careful, it's only ten feet long, and on our journey, you might need a pocket laser. I bet you think we're kidding. Okay, what would you use to measure a comforter made for the largest production mattress in the US that's twelve feet wide? Yes, there really are beds as big as that! You might even have one in your neighborhood. It probably has...

  As if... As if by this age someone needs to explain how to keep your comforter clean. Nonsense. Obviously, you’d pass the UV light test with flying colors, right? “What’s that?”, you say. You’ve watched enough crime dramas to know, haven’t you? That’s when the forensics special agent comes into the hotel room with a UV blacklight flashlight to scan the bed to see if the perpetrator left any “traces” behind. “Oh, that UV light test”, you say. See, as we thought, there’s nothing to worry about. So, stop reading this article now and send a link to your teenagers or someone else who might be shocked at what they see on their comforters. You just sleep tight tonight.       Dust mites, bed bugs and other little creatures that might be sharing your comforter   We’re not even talking about the whole world of things you need...

  Trying to choose a pillow can be a terribly difficult decision. Few things are more important to a good night’s sleep. And few choices are more individual. When you finally settle on a favorite pillow you wish it could last forever. Unfortunately, that’s not a dream that can come true. Your beloved pillow might wear out. It might be “stolen” by your kids. It might even be snatched away by your favorite pet. Of course, you could get it back, but you may not want to once they’re done with it. How many people have you seen at an airport clutching their favorite pillow? Makes you want to shake your head a little. Yes, it does, right up until your hotel pillow is horrible. Then we all wish we would have packed our own pillow instead of that extra pair of shoes.   Why avoiding neck pain can be...

  Winter Blues – it’s a thing. Whether you live in Alaska or in the south, shorter winter days mean less sunlight and less of the all-important vitamin D our bodies and minds use to stay healthy. Over the last 30 years many scientific studies have shown how shorter days can affect your mood. A significant portion of the US population finds itself feeling winter sadness around holidays. In fact, according to the National Institute of Health, winter blues and a more severe version of it, a type of depression known as seasonal affective disorder can impact the health, productivity and happiness of a surprising number of people this time of year.     What can we do about it? Here’s the good news – there are several ways you can fend off the winter blues. One of the best and easiest ways is to make your bed every morning....