Tips to Help You Get a Better Night's Sleep

(NUI) - According to recent scientific studies, including those by the National Institutes of Health, more than 51 percent of Americans suffer from some form of insomnia, costing $45 billion annually in lost productivity, health care bills, expenses and related traffic accidents.

Sleep specialists offer these recommendations for better sleep:

  • Retire and rise on a timeline that deviates by no more than two hours every day, even on weekends.
  • Put work aside two to three hours before bedtime.
  • Relax in the evening with massage, meditation, yoga, soothing music or a warm bath.
  • Use your bed for resting or sleeping - never for work, watching television or video games.
  • Before bed, disengage your mind from problems, worries or unfinished chores.
  • Dim lights two to three hours before bedtime and get out in bright sunshine as soon as you rise to help set your brain's internal clock to your sleep schedule.

If you are still having trouble sleeping, a better pillow could make all the difference. In fact, sleep experts say the quality of your pillow is just as important as the quality of your mattress.

More people are realizing that a proper pillow should not be overlooked when it comes to improving sleep, said Dan Schecter, vice president of sales and marketing for the Carpenter Co., a leading manufacturer of bedding products.

"Consumers are better informed and they're actively seeking an enhanced night's sleep," Schecter said. "We're seeing an increase in bed pillow sales, including the popular Isotonic line."

Is it time for a new pillow? Try this simple test: Lay your pillow over your forearm. If the pillow drapes, a replacement is in order.

When choosing a pillow, remember that one size does not fit all. The right pillow size for you depends on your height, weight, curvature of the spine and proportions between the head and shoulder.

If you sleep in several positions, choose a flexible pillow that offers varying support levels.

Finally, look for adjustability. A pillow should adjust to your movements. The quality of the fill determines the pillow's level of adjustability, comfort and durability.

Polyester fiberfill should glide under your touch with a degree of slickness. Foam should be durable, breathable and responsive to the touch. Synthetic down pillows should resist fill shift and fluff easily, while the quality of natural down varies greatly.

For More Information:

Carpenter has the industry's only dedicated research lab which tests and approves not only its own products but others industry-wide. For more tips and the latest in sleep research and news, visit http://www.sleepbetter.org/.

Article courtesy of www.newsusa.com.