Duvet Versus Comforter: Which Will Serve You Better

For many years, Americans stayed fairly loyal to classic comforters.  Ranging in size and weight, they were the preferred method of staying warm overnight.  However, as travel has increased, citizens of this country have come to appreciate some of the European ways of doing things.  This is definitely true when it comes to bedding.  The habit of tossing the top sheet and turning to duvets with covers as opposed to a comforter has crossed the sea with the Americans coming home. 

That being said, if you are in the market for new bedding, you might unsure what would be a better fit for you.  There isn’t a right or wrong answer.  In fact, there are pros and cons to both comforters and microfiber duvets.  However, these common comments and concerns may help you make your decision.

The Washing Machine Dance If you have found yourself wrestling with your comforter and washing machine in the past, then you are not alone and you might be wise to choose a duvet.  One of the nicest parts about duvets is the cover than encloses them.  The cover then takes the abuse and the duvet within doesn’t have to be washed. This is an especially big selling point for pet owners who find that they have to wash bedding far more often due to shedding.

Varying WeightDuvets come in a wide variety of weights to offer more warmth in the winter and less in the summer.  This is important to those who want the varying weight, but don’t want to change the look of their top blanket.  The insert can be removed and the duvet cover can remain the same year round.  On the other hand, for those who want to switch up the look frequently, duvet covers are more affordable than comforters and take up far less storage space. Additionally, the covers can be used with other types of blanket to create even lighter weight top blankets, cooler even than a summer duvet.

Size and Stuff So, what is the downside to duvets?  Many people dislike having to stuff them into a cover each time they want to change the bedding.  It can be a challenging process for a single person.  There are also complaints issued about the size of duvets.  Queen size box spring owners will be okay, as they can simply choose a king size duvet for added overhang, but those with a king sized bed can find duvets lacking.

Sleep Facts: Five Things You Might Not Know, But Should

There has been a great deal talk about lack of sleep in recent years, as more and more studies prove that it can be linked to poor health, weight gain, and increased stress levels. Even more researchers have tried to determine what can be done to assist insomniacs. But, before you jump the gun and invest in a new memory foam mattress topper or pocket sprung bed, take a look at these scary facts and statistics.

Stress Filled Dreams Reduce Benefits It has been demonstrated in many sleep studies that dreams are often an extension of daytime events, reinterpreted. Dreams of falling, being chased, being seen in the nude, or of teeth falling out often suggest that a person is anxious or overwhelmed by some aspect of life. These stress-related dreams can actually reduce the positive benefits that come with a night of sleep. Furthermore, a person is less likely to fall back into a comfortable sleep after waking from a nightmare, regardless of how comfortable his memory foam pillows are.

Sleep Live the Cavemen to Feel More Rested Research has found that those who reported the best sleep were those who woke with the rising sun. The routine of going to bed in the dark and rising in the light, programs the body to correctly react to these natural phenomenon, so a person has less difficulty falling asleep in the evening and, thus, feels more rested each day.

Mattresses for Back Pain Prove Worthwhile Most people who have difficulty sleeping cited one of two reasons – stress or pain. Stress can be attributed to work, family, money, or health problems. Pain at night can often be attributed to a poor mattress. An investment in a new mattress has shown to reduce discomfort and improve sleep patterns.

Lack of Sleep is Dangerous and Deadly As mentioned above, several studies have shown direct correlations between sleep deprivation and health complications. However, the impacts can be even more sudden. Drowsiness has proven just as dangerous behind the wheel as drunk driving is. Additionally, lack of sleep has been linked to some of the biggest disasters in this country, including the Challenger shuttle explosion. So, if you have ever doubted the need for a solid eight hours, you won’t have to wonder now… just go sleep on it!

Fibromyalgia Patients Need Good Mattresses

A mattress should support your body in a neutral position. This is even more important for people who suffer with chronic pain. That is to say that when lying on your back or side, all points along that plane of the body should be touching the mattresses surface comfortably. The mattress should do this without placing undue pressure on joints, which could lead to tingling, numbness or discomfort in the extremities. If your existing mattress is causing these issues now, then it is likely time to replace it. Fibromyalgia sufferers are even more prone to these symptoms of a bad bed.

When testing a new bed, be sure to visit a mattress store. Expect to spend some time there, testing a variety of mattresses by lying in your normal sleeping position for approximately ten minutes. This way, you will get an accurate feel for how the bed is going to support your body. Proper cushioning is essential for reducing the impact of your condition.

Pocket sprung mattresses are very common today and are available in a wide price range. However, it is important to understand that ‘more expensive’ does not mean ‘better’. For that reason, you should be testing mattresses in all price ranges. Avoid the very cheapest, only because too few springs could lead to less support in the areas you need it most and that means increase body pain, which fibro patients definitely don’t need.

A memory foam mattress is also an option. These generally mold to the body better than an innerspring mattress can, but some find that they put off too much heat at night making it hard for some sleepers to get comfortable. This is natural memory foam mattresses rely on body heat to provide that cushioning support that makes them so popular.

Air beds are also becoming more common place today, as are adjustable beds. The air beds are nice for couples who have varying opinions on how firm a bed should be, but they are often not firm enough for some fibro patients. Whereas adjustable beds can be really fitting for those who have sleep apnea, acid reflux, or like to sit up in bed in the evening. However, the adjustable function relies on the mattress bending and shifting which means they can wear out more quickly and that means that you start the process all over again a few years down the road when your fibromyalgia begins to act up more frequently overnight.

Make Your Small Bedroom Feel Bigger With a Divan Bed

Small bedrooms are not an uncommon feature in homes today. Especially in cities, where hundreds of thousands, or even millions of people must find a corner to claim as their own. The apartments, townhouses, and even more conventional homes will sacrifice size for location.

Unfortunately, furnishing a small bedroom can be difficult; challenging, yes, but not impossible. There are so many mattress and bedding options today, that everyone can find something to fit their room, regardless of the size.

When filling a small bedroom, consider furniture pieces and bedframes that can multifunction. Instead of a traditional bed and dresser, you might choose a bed with built in storage. There are several different styles of beds that offer the added drawers today.

Another option is to consider divan beds. These are frames that are little more than a box frame to set the box springs and mattresses atop. The headboards are very minimalistic and there are no added details – such as the footboard – that would take up extra space in the small room. These beds come in all of the traditional sizes. You can find a double divan bed that can be pushed up to a wall in the room to function much like a daybed. There are also full king size divan beds for rooms that are just large enough to afford such luxury.

When it comes to storage in a tight space, consider built-in shelving and drawers that can be constructed to perfectly fit the allotted space. Another great idea is to fit existing closets with mirrored doors. This will give the illusion of added space and will make the room brighter by reflecting the natural light. Finally, avoid additional furniture pieces, such as night stands, that take up valuable real estate within the room. Instead, hang small, narrow shelves and consider wall hung or overhead lighting to avoid the need for tabletop lamps.

A Better Mattress, a Better Back

About 31 million people contend with back pain.  The expense to care for that discomfort is exorbitant.  Most cases of back pain are not a result of a known defect, but instead muscle-driven soreness.  The exact cause often remains unknown.

There are a number of traditional and alternative treatments available to back pain patients today, but that isn’t always enough to ease the ongoingdistress.  A better mattress can help those with back pain, particularly those who are most sore in the morning hours.

There is not a single type of mattress that is recommended for all back pain patients.  Instead, it comes down to personal preference.  Some will find that a stiffer mattress provides better support where it is needed, while others turn to a soft memory foam mattress to ease the strain.

That being said, a mattress that is too firm is not thought to be as supportive to the spine as a medium-firm mattress.  The ability to sink into the plush surface a certain degree means that the natural curves of the body are accommodated for.  When comparing two different spring-style mattresses, it is a general rule that the more springs there are, the better mattress will be.  However, when looking for the best, memory foam mattresses are rarely beat.  If you prefer the feel of a spring mattress or can’t afford to replace your existing mattress, it might be wise to buy memory form mattress pad.  The few inches of foam will not be enough to overcome a horribly worn bed, but can add an additional level of comfort to a subpar mattress.

It is essential -- especially for those who have back pain, but also for those who want to avoid the same fate -- to know when it is time to replace a mattress.  A good rule is to invest in a new mattress every ten years, however, if you find that your bed has lumps or valleys, then you may have to make the purchase even sooner.  It is in these situations, when a mattress is old, or lacks its original form, that a pad will not be enough.  For your back, consider a new bed a very wise investment.

What’s The Hype About Memory Foam?

These days, who hasn’t head of a memory foam topper? The advertisements are everywhere—TV, magazines, radio, and the internet. In fact, you may even know someone who can’t stop raving about it.

There is good reason these mattresses seem to be everywhere. It is because they are so much more comfortable than a traditional mattress. Anyone who has tested one at a store can tell you how hard it was to get of the display. Some describe it as sleeping on a cloud. Imagine that.

Sleep can be hard to come by for the super busy, overworked population of today. Many find themselves getting up earlier, going to bed later, and still not getting everything accomplished. By the time they go to bed, they are stressed and exhausted, and they really need some quality sleep, but a lot of people aren’t getting it, not on traditional mattresses, which tend to leave you feeling achy and unrested.

A memory foam mattress or a memory foam mattress topper is the answer to your sleeping problems.  Instead of lying on a stack of uncomfortable metal springs, why nest rest atop a soft yet supportive cushion of specially crafted foam? No pointy, squeaky springs. Just custom cushion everywhere you need it.

If you're still not convinced, start with a memory foam pillow. It is the smallest investment of the memory foam product line, and it can still bring about a big difference in the quality of your sleep. Once you buy a pillow, you will be quickly headed back for a topper or full mattress. It is one thing to not miss what you never had, but once you have had it, you will find yourself more and more displeased your current mattress. From there, it will only be a matter of time until you make the permanent switch.

What is a Pocket Sprung Mattresses and Should I Buy One?

Traditional spring based mattresses are made of interconnected coil springs. This means that they all operate as one. This causes the mattress to exert pressure on users’ backs. The springs of pocket sprung mattresses are not interconnected. As the name implies, each spring is individually housed in its own pocket. This allows the springs to do a better job of supporting the user. Each spring can respond individually to the weight being exerted on it, rather than reflexively to the movement of the other springs.

Pocket sprung mattresses are perfect for customers who have had trouble with traditional mattresses. If you have a bad back, a stiff neck, or just do not enjoy the quality of sleep you get on your current mattress, a pocket sprung mattress is worth looking into. Sleep is too important for you to not at least look. Try one out at your local mattress store and see if you can feel the difference.

Platform Bed

Pocket sprung mattresses look like traditional mattresses, so you don't have to replace your existing frame. If you currently have a cheap bed frame or a platform bed, your pocket sprung mattress should fit right on top. No additional costs. Pocket sprung mattresses are similar in price to other mattresses, so don't be scared off by the thought of investing in a new mattress. But even if you do have to pay more, it is worth it to get high-quality sleep. Some people do not realize how poor their sleep quality is until they get the chance to sleep on a better mattress.

Most people keep their mattresses for years, so you would be better off getting what you really need instead of settling for something that is not giving you the back support you need.