We all have heard about and appreciate the benefits of sleeping well, haven’t we? Our bodies were created to rest every single day and 8 hours is what I’ve always heard is the optimal amount of sleep we should get every night. But, wanting to sleep and actually sleeping are sometimes two different things. I’m sure most of us have been through periods in life where we don’t sleep well and it can be so frustrating and downright hard to deal with.
There’s nothing worse than trying to sleep and those eyes are wide open and sleep refuses to come. Counting sheep may sound good in the stories of old, but does it really work for getting some shut-eye?
Probably not!
I’ve had my own bouts with sleep deprivation. After going through menopause a few years ago, I experienced several years of not sleeping well. Anxiety was also part of my life back then (ugh!) and kept me awake at night. Losing sleep night after night for several years in a row will take a toll on your body. I tried lots of things to sleep and some of them worked temporarily, but after getting my life back on track 5 years ago, I’m sleeping better than ever now. My chiropractor has me taking 5-HTP, a natural supplement that helps with sleeping and it really does seem to work for me. I took it years ago too and am back to it now just to make sure I get enough rest at night. I still have the occasional tossing and turning night.
Having a good mattress is also a wonderful prelude to sleeping well. I have some back problems too and sleeping on a good mattress helps that considerably. Getting a good night’s sleep is so important to our health and well-being and crucial for healing our bodies. I love to sleep through the night with minimal waking up, don’t you?
Almost 3 years ago, I was fortunate enough to work with Sleep Number® beds and received one of their beds. I’m going to partner with them again this year to share more tips and information about sleeping well.
I went mattress shopping at my local Sleep Number store and looked at both the pillow top version and the memory foam version. Shopping for a mattress can be very daunting at times and everyone has a different opinion on what kind of mattress they love and want to sleep on every night. What is comfortable for me might not be for someone else. We all have our own comfort needs to take into consideration. Likes and dislikes when it comes to mattress comfort.
The pillow top was nice, but I chose the other one.
I chose the m7 memory foam bed. It has two air compartments on each side that can be adjusted separately, so that if there are two people sleeping in the bed, each person can decide just how firm they want their mattress to be by adjusting their Sleep Number setting.
Getting it set up at my house was an adventure and they came out and put it together for me, which was really great.
Adding the pretty sheets and bedding is another part of sleeping well. Having nice soft and cushy sheets seem to add to the sleep experience and Sleep Number also has sheets, although I haven’t tried them yet.
My bedroom and bed is truly my haven of rest and I always look forward to getting back to my own bed when I’m traveling and out of town for an extended period of time. I love to travel and see new places, but there’s truly nothing like home and my own bed! I’m sure you know just what I mean about that. Once we get used to sleeping on a certain mattress, it’s sometimes hard to get comfortable on another one. Some are too hard or too soft and don’t offer enough support. It can feel like Goldilocks at times, looking for that “just right” bed.
I have chronic back and hip problems now and my Sleep Number bed really does help with those issues. The memory foam seems to cushion my joints much more than a traditional mattress does and keeps the pressure off those areas that hurt. I didn’t anticipate having aches and pains like this at my age, I’m much too young for that! But, for whatever reason, I do have aches and pains and that is part of the aging process, whether I like it or not. And getting enough sleep is one way to heal and give those achy breaky body parts comfort at night.
I used to sleep like a rock when I was growing up all the way through my 20’s and 30’s, but things do change over time. I didn’t know that someday I would wish I could sleep for 12 hours like a teenager again. Wouldn’t that be nice on occasion? There’s no magic formula for getting a good night’s sleep, but when it happens, it makes the next day go so much better. I hate being tired from lack of sleep.
Here are a few things I’ve heard that can help bring serene sleeping at night.
- Go to bed at the same time (or close to it) every night.
- Don’t exercise too late in the day or that can keep you up at night.
- No drinking caffeine after noon. That is notorious for keeping you awake.
- Don’t eat dinner too late in the day, that can sometimes keep you awake, if you eat too close to bedtime.
- Don’t watch TV or play on the computer or look at your phone right before bedtime (my #1 offending habit!).
- Keep your room cool and dark for better sleep.
What are your best tips for sleeping well?
Note: This post is sponsored by Sleep Number beds. Sleep Number Store locater.
My husband and I love our sleep number bed! Our sleep numbers are so different I can’t imagine going back to a traditional mattress.
Oh, boy, I agree. I think there are a lot of us walking around sleep deprived. We’ve gotten used to it; I know I have. I think some of it is due to the “tyranny of the urgent” and instant access to over-stimulation. My former routine was to read myself to sleep in bed. Now I’m falling asleep in front of the tv. It all happened gradually when the tv got moved into the bedroom. I think I’m going to have to get it out and remove the temptation. Argh.
Sleep…the elixir of the gods! Same thing happened to me when I hit menopause, no sleep for years. Thankfully, that is all behind me at age 63, and I sleep like a baby. Retiring from a stressful job helped too! ? It must be such a pleasure to wake up in your beautiful bedroom, Rhoda!
Thank you, Roxanne, I do enjoy my bedroom!
I too have had more sleep issues from my years in perimenopause to now almost post menopausal. And the anxiety can be overwhelming, good news is it’s gotten better. I’m with you good sleep is one of my favorite things in life!
Hoping pillow choice is its own sleep topic !!
You are too young for your aches.
Congrats on this sponsor. You’ve earned all your success.
Garden & Be Well, XO T
Thanks, Tara, maybe we will have to talk pillows too. I’m sure that’s a subject with lots of differing opinions too.
We used to have a number bed and I liked it a lot. We now have a tempur pedic and I like it a lot too. The tips you have for a better sleep are good ones. I do all of those things except I do watch TV before I go to bed. I never have a problem falling asleep. I generally sleep between 7 and 8 hrs, and it makes for a better tomorrow 😉
I would love to hear more about the Sleep Number beds. I didn’t know they do both a pillowtop and a memory foam. Guess I need to go shopping! Also, more about pillows would be nice. Thanks for sharing all with us.
I feel my best if I get 8 hours of good rest. This has gotten more difficult as I age. I have found Valerian Root to be very helpful . Recently I was taking Magnesium because of hip pain but it had a positive side affect in that it also relaxed me and help me sleep soundly. Magnesium is the main ingredient in Epson salt . Another benefit is that the tablets help my digestion -I noticed that I looked and felt slimmer .
Hey, Lynn, I take Magnesium too so hopefully it will do both for me.
What is the foundation for your memory foam mattress? I have been researching and found that it has been so long since I bought a mattress it has all changed. What I am reading indicates that you don’t need a foundation. I find that odd. If you are not in the market for a new bed that has a slat foundation what do you do. A traditional coil mattress still use a standard box springs.
HI, Melly, here’s the post I did back in the summer of 2013, when they set up my bed. It’s a plastic type base with the air compartments inside. Check it out here:
http://southernhospitalityblog.com/sleeping-on-a-sleep-number-bed/
I love our Sleep Number. We had one for several years and love it but my hips hurt so bad I could no longer sleep on my side and my back is so bad I couldn’t sleep on my back so back to the store I went. This time we got the adjustable sleep number. I sleep with my side curved like a hospital bed and it has been a life saver. Our old one was sold to our son and is still like new. The only problem is making up the bed is hard so my husband helps me do this. Love your bedroom and whole house.
Thanks, Jane, for your insight on this subject. I hear you on hip pain, I have it too. Not fun!
I, too, am a member of the post-menopausal sleep-deprived! I have to take Ambien, or I am up ALL night. Sure would love to get off of it. Rhoda, would you please share: what is 5-HTP, and where do you get it?
Won’t be long before my hubby and I will be mattress shopping as well. Thanks for the info on the Sleep Number. Love your bedroom; you’re a fantastic decorator!
Sleep well to you, and to all a good night!
hugs, cat
HI, Cat, you can get 5-HTP at the drugstore, I found it at Walgreens a few years ago and now get it from my chiropractor. I would think a vitamin shop will have it too, so check out a good one and ask them. It really seems to help me.
Oh Ladies, sounds like we are all having the same post-menopausal issues! I went through menopause early at 38 (I’m 46 now) and even with HRT, my sleep is still not like it was in my 20’s, for sure. I’m so glad that I found this post about the anxiety that comes along with it, I thought it was just me! A few things that help me are 1) No coffee late in the day-not even decaf, and 2) Sounds crazy but it works for me, a cup of milk warmed in the microwave with a tablespoon of honey and a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg. Lastly, I don’t have a clock in my room, (I use the cell phone with an alarm set, no-one calls me at night unless it’s an emergency), and room darkening curtains. This was such a helpful post for me, Rhoda, I hope maybe my warm milk trick works for you ladies too!
I have been drinking a glass of red wine before bed for about ten years. I just turned 60 and sleep like I did when I was a teenager. Helped my cholesterol too!
What brand of red wine do you drink? I don’t like the taste.