Getting a Good Night’s Sleep Through History

History’s Bizarre Good Night’s Sleep Trends

How many of you fall asleep with the TV on or while listening to a podcast? For some of us, that background noise can help us get a good night’s sleep; others try every possible remedy, just hoping to get a good night’s sleep. People throughout history couldn’t resort to falling asleep to the sound of a TV, but they certainly tried some weird trends. If you think some of our sleeping habits are bizarre now, let’s take a look at what people throughout history would do for the best possible full night of rest.

How History Approached a Good Night’s Sleep

Insomnia has been an issue in societies across history. For centuries, people have tried every possibility under the sun to achieve a good night’s sleep, but some efforts are stranger than others. From the phased-out to the unfathomable, here are a few ways people fought insomnia throughout history.

1. Families Slept Together

Around the time of the Middle Ages, entire families slept on one large bed together. This was practical at the time because homes obviously did not have a central heating system. This was so common, in fact, that even servants would sleep in the same room as the family to keep everyone warm. What makes this habit less-than-desirable is the unpleasant body odor of everyone piling into one bed for the night.

2. Chamber Pots

Before plumbing and running water were common in households, people had to relieve themselves in an outhouse or in the great outdoors. Think of the debate you have with yourself, waking up in the middle of the night and needing to use the restroom – should I stay in bed or get up to go? Well, imagine how annoying it would be to have to walk outside to use the restroom, even in the middle of the night – sometimes in the snow, rain or other elements. That’s why the chamber pot was invented. People used to keep a small container by their bedside to relieve themselves in the middle of the night – all to achieve a good night’s sleep. This just goes to show you to always be careful what you pick up in an antique or thrift store.

3. Dog Earwax: A Remedy for Insomnia

As probably the most bizarre remedy for insomnia on this list, a doctor in Italy during the Renaissance Period believed that spreading dog earwax on your teeth would help cure insomnia. Needless to say, that doesn’t work, but it’s incredibly disgusting yet intriguing. We’re all beyond thankful that this turned out to not be true. We can all get a good night’s sleep without resorting to that! On the other hand, the sheer thought of dog earwax on one’s teeth is nightmare-inducing. We hope you don’t lose any sleep because of this uneracable image. Sidenote: We’re not sure how Fred would feel about this.

4. Sea Slugs

Do you have any foods that help you fall asleep? Maybe a nice, warm bottle of milk will help a baby sleep, but some people in Japan used to eat sea slugs to help them catch some Zs. In case for some reason you were tempted to gobble one down before bed, do not try this remedy if you have insomnia. These beautiful creatures are incredible to look at, but they’re not the cure for a restless night.

5. Running with Rats

The Romans might’ve been engineering, literature and government pioneers, but they certainly didn’t have the best ideas when it came to curing insomnia. Some Romans believed that rubbing the fat of a field mouse on one’s feet before going to bed would help one sleep easier. This obviously is an unsanitary remedy that would make your bed quite messy. Just in case it wasn’t obvious, applying field mouse fat to your feet is not a solution for insomnia. Some of us can’t sleep without socks, and some of us can’t sleep without rubbing field mouse fat on our feet – different strokes for different folks.

6. Waterbeds

Is this as bizarre as some of the other concepts on this list? Maybe not, but those of a certain age will remember that waterbeds were always the next big thing from the ‘70s through the ‘90s. If TV producers wanted to make a bedroom look hip, modern and fresh on television during those decades, all they essentially had to do was add a water bed – instant cool status. Waterbeds were a fad that mesmerized the population, but that’s all it was: a fad. Waterbeds had little to no beneficial merits other than being trendy. Your best bet for a good night’s sleep is investing in a mattress that works for your sleeping style, and we can guarantee that a waterbed is not your best option.

Visit Fred’s Beds for Your Good Night’s Sleep

Just so we’re all clear, you don’t have to rely on the bizarre to get a good night’s sleep. A quality mattress that’s right for you can go a long way to helping you achieve a restful sleep. Fred’s Beds is committed to helping you save money while chasing that good night’s sleep we all deserve. 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 and 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.

The Future of Fred’s Beds: Furniture

Fred’s Beds is well-known for its incredible deals on name-brand, quality mattresses, and we now offer furniture! Come by the store to check out our king size bed, which includes a headboard, footboard, rails and slats. The beautiful, sturdy bed is solid wood with upholstery and nailhead accents. The best part about this bed is that it’s 75 percent off the regular retail price. We are proud to offer beds and furniture that are of a high-class quality but are affordable for the average family. We believe everyone should enjoy a night of luxury.