Ergonomics & Sound Sleep: What You Need To Know About Sleeping Well
Haven’t we all, often unsuccessfully, chased that perfect 9 hours of sound sleep? Right from bedtime reading to freezing temperatures, we are guilty of trying every trick in the book. Yet, somehow sound sleep still isn’t within our reach.
A staggering 67% of UK adults face sleep problems. The average shut-eye time for citizens in UK is no more than 6 hours and 18 minutes, far from the average recommended 8 hours. Funnily, the secret to sleeping like a baby is far simpler than it seems. Here’s what stands between you and that nightlong satisfying snooze.
The Power of Ergonomics
Ergonomics refers to designing items of human interaction to ensure comfort and safety in usage – and that includes your bedding! It’s no wonder that sleep is a challenge even in the most expensive business class seat on a flight.
The key to sleeping well is not that pitch dark room or the AC on full swing. It’s just as simple as getting your bedding right! Wondering how? Read on to know!
Mattress Matters
Some simple mantras to keep in mind when choosing a mattress can help you along the way to sound sleep. A foam mattress is often most recommended for an average build body. Coil mattresses are more suited for those with a bigger build. Interestingly, whether you are more of a side sleeper or a back sleeper also influences your choice of mattress. A side sleeper usually needs a firmer mattress than a back/stomach sleeper. Check out some of the best mattresses in 2021 for side sleepers, if you are thinking about upgrading soon.
Also, if it’s a bouncy and tossy partner that causing you sleep woes, go for a mattress with motion isolation. This mechanism will minimise the ripples your partners movement will have on your sleep. Lastly, changing your mattress every 8-10 years will ensure it doesn’t come in the way of you and your sleep.
The Pillow Tussle
Look for a pillow that complements the shape and placement of your neck and head. You don’t want to tug at a pillow that’s too thin or strain your neck on one that’s too big. But with a household full of people, your favourite pillow may often find itself in the pile on your child’s room.
To break this jinx, invest in adjustable pillows from Kallysleep that can be customised for height, softness and sleeping position all thanks to its removable inner pads. They also offer anti-snore pillows and neck pain pillows to ensure common physical issues don’t get in the way of you and your coveted sleep. If you are more of a cuddly sleeper, their range of body pillows ensures you are cosy all through the night.
Bed Placement
Research says placing your headboard at an east facing alignment is most likely to result in sound sleep. It attracts positive vibes and aligns body with the position of the sun. Further, ensure your windows are not in your line of sight to avoid noise and light filtration.
Duvet/Blanket
Those thick cosy blankets are certainly inviting. But, it makes little sense to set the temperature at Antarctic levels and shiver under the thickest duvet you can find. Rather, choose to alter your duvet preferences based on weather. With pleasant spring or hot summer times, opt for lighter spreads and unleash those cosy thick blankets for the winter months. This automatically sends signals to your body of the surrounding weather to regulate body temperature accordingly and usher in sound sleep.
Ergonomics is an often ignored aspect of sleep that is in fact a basic pre-requisite. While we focus on controlling our external sleep environment, the prodding factors are just below our neck and our body. The next time you notice yourself counting seconds and minutes through the night, run through the basics on choosing the right mattress and pillow and you will enjoy comfortable slumber!
