If you spend a good part of each night tossing and turning, you’re not alone. An estimated 50–70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder. Hours go by, and so many people struggle to get a wink of sleep despite how tired they might actually be. Those long, sleepless nights spent staring at the ceiling can be aggravating and discouraging, leaving so many looking for the solution to their sleep disorder. Can the right mattress make sleeping easier? Getting a new mattress could be the first step to overcoming your sleep disorder.
Before diving into diving into why a new mattress could alleviate your sleep disorder, let’s go over the most common sleep disorders.
As the most common sleeping disorder by far, chronic insomnia affects about 10 percent of Americans. Symptoms include having difficulties sleeping, waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to fall back asleep, and waking up earlier than desired.
People with insomnia are often drowsy during the day, frequently lacking energy due to non-restorative sleep. Because of the drowsiness that is associated with insomnia, people who suffer from this sleep disorder can have concentration difficulties, depression, forgetfulness and other lack-of-sleep-related side effects. Insomnia can be caused by many reasons – including but not limited to diet, anxiety, depression and medical problems.
Another common sleep disorder, which affects about 20 million Americans, is sleep apnea. It’s much more common than one would think. Actually, 80 percent of people who have obstructive sleep apnea do not realize it. Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder that involves a pause in a sleeper’s breathing. Breathing stops for several seconds because of blockage in the sleeper’s upper respiratory system. This pause in breathing will cause the person to abruptly wake up and gasp for air.
Though restless leg syndrome is not as common as the two sleep disorders mentioned above, it still affects 10 percent of adults in the United States. Restless leg syndrome is caused by a sleeper’s uncontrollable need to move their leg. This is usually a result of pulling, aching, itching, burning or throbbing sensations in the leg. People who experience these sensations can find temporary relief by moving or massaging their legs. This battle can keep those who struggle with RLS awake when they desire to be asleep.
If you suffer from insomnia, it might be that your bed doubles as your home office to some capacity. Some people set up shop with a laptop on their lap and work from the comfort of their bed. Regardless, many of us check our work email on our smartphones while we’re in bed. Whether that’s late at night or early in the morning, responding to work emails and other tasks from bed can create a blurred line. Doing so will cause you to feel the need to check work emails while you’re getting ready to sleep. To help your mind rest as you lie down, keep a healthy separation between work and where you sleep.
When looking for a solution to your sleep disorder, consider all options. The mattress you sleep on could be a part of the cause of your restless nights. Perhaps your mattress isn’t bad, but it might not be the right fit for your sleeping style.
You could have the world’s most luxurious mattress and still struggle to fall asleep. The key is resting on a mattress that works for your sleeping style. This is especially true if you find that mattresses away from home – i.e., in hotel rooms and other houses – are more comfortable.
A mattress can be labeled soft, medium or firm, but does that mean you agree with those labels? Some people and restaurants have different expectations for how a medium-rare steak is supposed to be cooked, leaving customers surprised when they get a steak that they believe to be well-done. These descriptions aren’t intentionally misleading, but we all have subjective opinions about how we perceive firm versus soft — or rare versus well-done. The point is that you have to physically try out a mattress for yourself to truly judge if you believe it’s firm or soft. What’s most important is that you think the mattress is comfortable.
Like all complicated responses, the answer is: Yes and no. A new mattress can be a step in the right direction for achieving your sleeping goals, but it is not a substitute for seeking medical attention. If you have a chronic sleeping disorder, ensure that you are sleeping on the correct bed; get a new mattress that fits your needs and consult with your doctor about other solutions to explore. Perhaps a change in routine, an adjusted diet or a new prescription might help you to overcome your sleeping disorder. Again, while a new mattress can help the situation, consult with your doctor about solutions. Other factors might be the primary cause of your sleep disorder.
First, let’s not ignore the cost of the wrong mattress. Think of all the hours spent lying on the wrong mattress, wishing you were asleep. As long as you have the wrong mattress, you’re charged with sleepless nights and drowsy days.
Fred’s Beds in Cumming, Georgia, is bucking the trend of overpriced mattresses. At Fred’s Beds, everyone can afford a night of luxury. Daily, we offer brand-new, name-brand mattresses for up to 80 percent off their suggested retail value. If you suffer from a sleep disorder, we advise that you visit our store and try out a few beds. Finding the best fit for you could be the first step to overcoming your sleep disorder.
If you’re in the market for a new mattress, Fred’s Beds is the place for you. Our inventory, which carries all the major brands, changes daily, so visit us today! Our hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, closed Sundays. For the best deal on a new, quality mattress, contact us at 770-628-5875 or stop by our store in Cumming. Connect with us on Facebook for more.