There are many Mattress Myths, such as "DON'T CUT THE LAW TAG OFF" or "THE FIRMEST BED IS BEST FOR YOUR BODY." Could these be true? What other truths should we know about sleep and our mattress. Let's talk more about your sleep and what you should know for the best sleep and health possible.
Let's first talk about the 2 Myths named in the opening:
Don't Cut the Law Tag Off Mattress
There is truth behind this myth, because the law tag tells you what mattress you have, style and warranty info. If you mattress carries a warranty, all the info is on this tag. If it is removed from the mattress, the company may deny your claim, because they do not know if it came from your bed or another bed. You also one day may want to change the support of your bed from a box spring to an adjustable base with movement. Some mattresses are not made to be used on an adjustable base due to the inside coil system. If you do not have the tag to check your mattress, you will not know if the new base will be safe for the mattress or not.
The Firmest Bed is Best for Your Body
Firmness or softness is determined by body type and body needs. You may have had a surgery that a firm mattress feels best to your body. Many people use the work firmness when they should be using the word SUPPORTIVE! We all need a Supportive mattress, even if we are 5 years old, 15 years old or 105 years old! A mattress with good support means it is the appropriate number and type of coils/ foam to support the body or bodies on it. Many people buy a mattress for just them, when in all actuality they have their partner, their kids and their 3 pets also in the bed with them. There is a difference in the support needed for one person who weighs 125lbs to a family of 700lbs. Make sure your mattress has the quality to give those sleeping on it the support needed for the life of the mattress. Buying 3 cheap mattresses is always more expensive than buying the correct mattress in the first place.
Snoring is Harmful to My Sleep.
Snoring itself can not hurt you, but you should talk to a doctor about it, because for some people it can signal a life threating disorder Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea causes pauses in your breathing that can last for seconds or minutes, dozens of times each hour. These pauses disrupt your sleep and cause you to wake up or sleep only lightly, which can make you feel extremely tired during the day. The pauses also reduce the amount of oxygen in your blood and can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels, which increases the risk of heart disease. Sleep Apnea also increases the risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes, therefore it is a very good thing to mention to your doctor. In most cases it is treatable. Your will be happy you asked and so will your partner. Snoring can wake other around you and cause them to get unrestful sleep or cause them to leave the room.
I Need Less Sleep Now.
Just because you may be older now, does not mean you need less sleep. Yes, you may be doing less in your days, therefore you don't think your body needs as much sleep to sustains you throughout the day, but this is not true. Sleep experts recommend 8 to 10 hours of sleep for most adults. While sleep patterns may change as we age, the amount of sleep the body needs does not usually change. Older people may wake up more frequently throughout the night and end up getting less sleep during the overnight hours. Older adults are more likely to be taking medicines that interfere with sleep. However, their need for sleep is not drastically less than that of younger adults. Older people may take more naps during the day because they get less sleep at night.
I Can Catch Up on My Sleep
This is an appropriate "next" after talking about through the night. Despite popular belief, you can’t regain or catch up on “lost” sleep by sleeping more at another time. Even napping does not satisfy a well rested night. Being sleep deprived means you accumulate a sleep debt that is impossible to “repay” as it gets larger. In addition, long-term sleep deprivation puts you at risk for health problems and may impair your safety and work performance. Sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, high blood pressure, negative mood and behavior, decreased productivity at work, and safety issues in the home, on the job, and on the road. Catching up on sleep may help to reduce daytime sleepiness or drowsiness, but it does not reverse the effects of not getting enough sleep or enough quality sleep. So try to go to bed at a similar time each night in a healthy environment so you can put your best foot forward getting out of bed!