When our bodies sleep, they are able to repair damage to cells and help heal injuries and fight off disease. It is very important for our bodies to rest like this, especially since we may not function as well as we should without proper rest. However, many of us do not get the proper amount of sleep that we need, or if we do, we don’t get good, quality sleep. Here are some things that can prevent us from getting a good night’s rest and what we can do about them.

The first is comfort. While some people are perfectly capable of sleeping in fully lit rooms or with the television on, to really get to sleep quickly and stay asleep, we need to be in a dark room with no noise. It’s also helpful that the temperature be correct. Generally, slightly cooler rooms are better than warmer rooms. If lights from outside are a problem, consider getting thicker curtains. This is also important if you work at night and sleep during the day. Sleeping in a room to the back of your home may also help if your street gets a lot of noise during the day.

It’s also important to have the correct bed. When we lie down, our muscles relax, allowing us to get to sleep. If we’re tense or uncomfortable, our muscles may remain clenched. Think about lying flat on the floor. Parts of your body will be in contact with the floor (back of your head, the small of your back, etc.) while other parts won’t. These parts will eventually sag down to the floor. This can cause stress on your muscles and on your spine and put uneven pressure on parts of your back. This uneven pressure also occurs if you try lying on your stomach or on your side, and it isn’t conducive to resting.

This is why we sleep on mattresses instead of on the floor. However, not all mattresses give us the support we need to get restful sleep. Old mattresses that have loose springs or other poking parts are not comfortable and don’t support us the way they should. Some mattresses that are too soft allow our bodies to sag too much, leaving our spine out of alignment. On the other hand, mattresses that are too firm will, like lying on the floor, cause uneven pressure.

Fortunately, there are many different types of mattresses available today that do allow for correct posture while we sleep. Memory foam, pillow top, and even air mattresses all help keep our bodies comfortable and aligned correctly while we rest. If you find yourself waking up in the morning just as tired as you were when you went to bed, it may be a sign that you need a new mattress. Go to a store and actually lie on different mattresses, however, before you purchase one so you know if it will give you the support you need.

Labels: health