The two most common sleep challenges people share with me are sleeping hot and waking up feeling stiff and unrested. There are several factors that can contribute to these experiences, but for hot sleepers in general it’s important to pay attention to what materials the bedding you sleep on and under is made from, and that includes your sheets. When you can, choose sheets made with cotton, technology enhanced, or other naturally derived materials like TENCEL® Lyocell and Naia Renew®. Fabrics made from these materials will always sleep cooler than 100% polyester. Experiencing some stiffness or feeling unrested when you wake up? It could be a sign you need to replace your pillow. The purpose of a pillow is to help support our spine and keep it in a natural and comfortable position. We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, so it’s a good idea to give your favorite pillow a quick inspection every few months.
Here are a few key quality tricks I recommend for determining if it’s time to replace your pillow and what to looking out for while shopping for a new one:
Does it lay flat? Perform a quick pillow test. Lay your pillow flat across your hand balanced in the center. Is it drooping? Or does it lay straight and flat? It should remain straight and firm and should not be making a frowning face at you! If it is frowning at you, it may be time to treat yourself to a new pillow! This test also applies when evaluating a new one!
Dog ears? Look at the corners of your pillow. Does the filling reach all the way into the corners, or are there empty spaces? If there are droopy corners, these are called dog ears, and we do not want to see these when looking for a new pillow! Instead, look for pillows that are filled from edge to edge.
What’s on my bed? I’ve been sleeping through the night with the dynamic and incredibly soft True Temp Sheet Set from Sleep Number. It’s woven 37.5® Technology, which complements the performance qualities of cotton for improved humidity and moisture management. While we sleep, our bodies release heat and moisture at different rates, depending on if we need cooling or a little extra warmth. 37.5® Technology uses IR energy to detect and respond when these shifts happen to keep you dry and sleeping at a consistent comfort level personalized to your body. Sleepers will also appreciate the inherent odor absorption that keep these sheets smelling fresh longer. But wait! There’s more! Also woven into its construction is just enough spandex to gently hug and move with you and especially in the fitted sheet, flex to support and stay attached to your mattress! I’m very proud of the technical construction and how it delivers on incredible value and performance including looking new wash after wash. With 4.5 stars and almost 10,000 reviews on Sleep Number’s web site, it’s exciting to see that my fellow sleepers are experiencing the same!
About Tracy Miller, Sleep Innovator and Inventor of Products for the Home
Tracy Miller is a trusted inventor and innovator of dynamic, technology driven, and comfortable products for the home, and founder of Inventive Sleep®. Her engaging brands are found in millions of homes and hotels across the country. As a Sleep Products Innovator, Tracy is dedicated to helping people realize their dreams and goals starting with a great night’s sleep. Her reputation for combining proven and modern materials in everyday products including sheets, pillows, comforters, blankets, and mattress pads, adds exciting new comfort and performance qualities consumers love to incorporate into their homes. Tracy is also the author of the weekly sleep blog Sleep Secrets and Inspirations. In it, she shares her expertise on materials research and design, and demystifies the sleep experience with an informative and fun-filled conversation on how sleep helps people with daily living, as well as some of her tips and tricks on picking your favorite products. For more information, visit www.tracymilellersleep.com. Sleep Tonight. Create Tomorrow.™
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