The results are in. We have the receipts. Getting enough high-quality sleep is essential to our physical and mental health. Period. No one can be sure when or how we became careless about sleep, but we must come to our senses. Sleep deprivation and poor sleep can catch up to all of us, regardless of age.    Conditions Linked to Poor Sleep According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, insufficient sleep has been connected to several chronic diseases:   Diabetes Insufficient sleep is a contributing factor to an increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes. The amount and quality of sleep are considered predictors of Hemoglobin A1C levels. This is recognized as an essential marker of blood sugar. In addition, type 2 diabetes can itself be a contributing factor to a list of other conditions with severe consequences.      Cardiovascular Disease In simple terms,...

If someone asks you what is your favorite sleeping position and you answer, "the recliner," don't miss these tips on how to get a good night's sleep. Sleep is too important to ignore. You owe this to yourself.    The Link Between Dementia and Lack of Sleep Growing evidence shows that lack of sleep increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. This is a significant concern for middle-aged Americans. But, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, we're learning that poor sleep quality in younger people may also increase risk.   "Studies have suggested that sleep patterns earlier in life may contribute to later dementia risk. Both insufficient sleep and sleeping longer than average are linked to a great likelihood of developing dementia."   The Importance of Sleep Hygiene and Sleeping Position   Research involving 7,000 men and women in the...

  If your back doesn’t ache, this article won’t be much help. To someone who hasn’t experienced how much trouble back pain can be, the whole subject is, in their opinion, exaggerated. They believe back pain is like having a sore leg or arm. They see it as a simple cause-and-effect type problem.    “You did x, so it hurts. Stop doing x, and it won’t hurt. Simple.”   Even if they don’t blurt it out loud, you know that’s what these very lucky people are thinking. They have no idea how scary it is to get out of bed when you don’t know if this time it’s going to cause shooting pain or if it’s going to be a little twinge. Even just rolling over can be a game of Russian Roulette.      Back pain is a bit of a medical mystery. Of course, there are known causes,...

  Whether or not we get enough high-quality sleep has become a priority in our physical, mental, and emotional health. So much so that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an easy-to-understand chart, you can use depending on your age. They also include tips to build habits to improve your sleep. This understanding has dramatically evolved mattress technology over the last decade. Years ago, our general knowledge about sleep consisted of a smidgen about REM sleep and a smattering about Circadian Rhythms. In the last ten years, sleep science has uncovered many insights about the importance of sleep, and mattress manufacturers have stayed current with the latest developments. Don’t Mix Up Your Memory Foams Viscoelastic polyurethane foam (memory foam) was first developed in 1966 by NASA as a way to make sure astronauts could have the most comfortable and supportive material on which to sleep. It wasn’t...

  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....

  This may seem like a simple question, but even if you’re sure about what level of firmness you prefer, there are a variety of ways to get what you want. The good news is that in the last few years mattress companies have adopted many new technologies and construction methods. The not-so-good-news is that all the different options can make the selection process a bit complicated. Today, we’re going to give you some insights to make the journey more simple.    The First Step – Review Your Needs     Is mattress firmness really just a personal preference? Sure it can be, when you’re young and in tip-top shape. For the rest of us, the support a firm mattress provides may be a necessity. The reason why is the same firm support we need in some areas can make existing aches and pains flare up in other areas. It’s...

  This really depends on how important a good night’s sleep is to you. If it makes no difference, why buy a mattress at all? Why not sleep on the floor, on a military cot, or get comfortable in a corn crib? After all, that’s how our early pioneers did it.  For everyone else, the average life span of a mattress is roughly 6 - 8 years. This depends on the type of mattress, the quality of the materials, the workmanship, the everyday use, and the routine of care. There are some things you can do to help make your mattress last longer, and yes, there are definitely some factors that will shorten its life.    Take a Short Quiz To See If Your Mattress Needs To be Replaced Does your mattress sag in the spot where you sleep most often or at the edge where you get out of...

  Yes, of course. So let’s focus on precisely which foods can help you sleep. We’re also going to review some other factors involved in improved sleep quality. And just so we cover all the bases, we’ll confirm and dispel some commonly held misconceptions about sleep.    Foods Naturally Rich In Melatonin Melatonin is a hormone, and it’s been proven essential to our sleep. Many people follow a Mediterranean diet that includes many fruits and vegetables just for this reason. Melatonin is recognized as a hormone that helps regulate our sleep. Let’s look at some of the foods rich in this important hormone.       Unroasted nuts: Who knew they could be the perfect night snack? Having a moderate portion of nuts after dinner will increase the level of melatonin in your body, and this can help you sleep. Be sure to give yourself enough time between dinner and...