Recipe for restful sleep
Sleep is vital for health and well-being in children, adolescents, and adults, according to the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. As it explains, “A healthy sleep helps in cognitive functioning, mood, mental health, and cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and metabolic health. Adequate quantity and quality of sleep also play a role in reducing the risk of accidents and injuries caused by sleepiness and fatigue, including workplace accidents and motor vehicle crashes.”
Small wonder then that in the Life at Home 2023 report made by the global lifestyle brand Ikea, 44 percent of Filipinos surveyed said sleeping is the main driver for nurturing at home. It also shows that 23 percent of Filipinos hit the snooze button more than once in the morning, which may indicate the desire for an extended sleep.
The report reveals Filipinos’ top bedtime habits: sleeping with a favorite pillow (36 percent): sleeping in complete darkness (35 percent); checking if the doors are locked (35 percent), listening to music, podcast, or wellness app (31 percent); saying good night to loved ones (31 percent); and creating the right temperature (28 percent).
Based on the report’s results, Ikea has come up with the six elements of a good night sleep, namely comfort, temperature, light, air, declutter, and sound. This list is in alignment with the recommendation of healthcare groups, such as Mayo Clinic, in creating a restful environment to sleep better. Other recommendations include sticking to a sleep schedule, avoiding a heavy meal or caffeinated drink before going to bed, getting regular exercise, and managing stress.
Choosing the right mattress
Lying every night in a bed that you have personally tested leads to enjoying the element of comfort in achieving a good night’s sleep, Ikea bedroom department’s shopkeeper Paulo Peña told Lifestyle. He explained during the brand’s Swede Dreams event held at the Mattress Studio of its Pasay City shop: “That’s why we encourage our customers to not just touch the mattress and test it with their hands, but to actually sit and lie in bed before making a purchase.”
The Mattress Studio is where one can experience a wide range of mattresses, said Peña. For starters, there are the two most common types: foam and spring. The spring type is ideal for tropical countries, like the Philippines, as it “allows air circulation, regulates the temperature, and can still be comfortable during summer.”
Under the two types, there are different units depending on the size (single, twin, queen, king) and thickness. The choices can be overwhelming, Peña admitted, but he assured that shopkeepers will help make informed decisions even in choosing add-ons, like a mattress pad or protector, plus various types of pillows.
Peña went on to share a personal story when asked about the importance of investing in a good mattress. “I was also one of those who would go for any mattress depending on the budget. For many years, my wife and I slept on a mattress that we just put on the floor. It wasn’t very comfortable. It was also tough waking up in the morning, ngalay ang leeg (stiff neck), masakit ang katawan (aching body). It was a challenge to wake up and get ready. Even in the evening, ikot nang ikot sa kama (tossing and turning in bed) to look for the perfect position.”
Then he started working in Ikea, first in its store in Qatar. “I decided to invest in a good mattress, which I bought five years ago. It was life-changing. Magaang igising sa umaga. (It’s easy to wake up in the morning.)”
When he was assigned to the Philippines, he sold his mattress in Qatar and bought a new one here.
Peña also mentions the brand’s 90-day trial period, which allows buyers to return the mattress because of dissatisfaction, as long as it follows the policy’s terms and conditions, such as “no stains or defects, and looks good as new,” and then get a new unit. The mattress can also last a lifetime, he pointed out, as long it’s cared for by following the instructions for cleaning and general maintenance.
