Get a Good Night’s Sleep this Winter

by ARA

(ARA) - The days are short, the temperatures cold and it's hard to get out of bed in the morning. But are you getting the kind of sleep you need?

The Better Sleep Council has explored exactly who is getting more sleep regionally this winter. According to the snooze-savvy crowd surveyed, the following perceptions were identified:

The City That Never Sleeps versus Sleepless in Seattle

In a nationwide comparison of Seattle residents to New York City residents, 90 percent of those surveyed believe Seattleites are far more likely to get a good night’s sleep this winter, putting to rest a long standing characterization of being ”Sleepless in Seattle.”

The Luxury of Quality Bed Linen

Quality bed linen can make a significant difference in the quality and comfort of your sleep. Many people today have never even slept on truly high quality bed sheets and are unaware of the differences. Good, high thread count bed sheets offer a smooth, crisp finish, as well as the durability and quality that comes with well made, high quality bed linens.

Several criteria can be used to determine the quality of a set of bed sheets when shopping. First, consider the fiber content. High quality bed sheets are typically cotton, but very occasionally linen or silk. Pima cotton is typically found in good, but not excellent quality sheets. Egyptian cotton is the finest bed linen cotton available, and the best choice for bed sheets. The long fiber length of Egyptian cotton produces a very smooth, long wearing bed sheet, pillowcase or other bed linen.

The other criteria that buyers should be aware of when shopping for quality bed linen is thread count. Thread count tells the buyer how many threads make up the fabric in a given inch. The higher the number is the finer quality the bed sheets will be. While it used to be somewhat difficult to find higher thread count sheets, shoppers will now find that even major retailers sell 400 count bed linen sets. Higher thread counts are available as well from specialty stores and retailers.

Good quality bed sheets can make all the difference in a good night’s sleep. Consider upgrading your bed linen for a better sleeping experience from bedtime to morning.

Capital Hill versus Beverly Hills

When comparing Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles, Americans felt that Hollywood celebrities and aspiring stars are more likely to sacrifice sleep for late nights with lattes. Fifty-seven percent of those surveyed cited Washingtonians as more rested. In contrast, those who could be considered the more politically minded of the survey crowd, women ages 55 and older, at 47 percent felt Washington bureaucrats would be up long after the West Coast putting the federal budget to bed.

No matter where you live, taking control of your sleep environment is important. The Better Sleep Council has developed a few sleep tips to help add more hours of rest to your schedule all year round.

Five Tips to Control Your Sleep Environment

1. Determine your sleep requirement. Determining the amount of sleep you need each night to be fully alert the next day is a big step towards sleep environment control. You should try to get at least your minimum sleep requirement each night, if not more. Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night.

2. Reduce noise. Keeping your bedroom noise level at a minimum creates an ideal, relaxed sleep environment. Consider removing your television and/or radio from the bedroom.

3. Create a comfortable bed. Evaluating your mattress is important -- is it giving you the support and comfort you need to get a good night’s sleep?

4. Engage in pre-bedtime relaxation. Engaging in a relaxing, non-alerting activity at bedtime such as reading or listening to music will help you sleep better. Avoid activities that are mentally and physically stimulating that might keep you awake.

5. Develop a sleep ritual. Keeping the same routine each night just before bed signals your body to settle down for the night. Set a regular schedule that takes you from dusk to dawn.

For more information, visit www.bettersleep.org .

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

3 Surefire Ways To Cure Insomnia While Sleeping Less!

A Look at Platform Bed Frames

An Explanation on Murphy Bed Mechanism

Bedtime WIthout Battles

Comfort and Style for your Bedroom!

Site Map

Ever heard about the gift of ultimate wellness? Click here to check it out.

Custom Search

Click on flag for your chosen language:

Health Tips | Wellness Tips

Contact

Subscribe to FREE Tips - "Health Tips for You." Learn how to live a more energetic lifestyle! 18 Tips in 18 Days (our goal)

Health Tips: A to Z Wellness Articles

This site is for information purposes only. Never use it to diagnose illnesses or as a substitute for medical care.
Go to your doctor or other medical professional for health concerns.