A Good Night's Sleep - page 2

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IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a medical site. You should always discuss medical matters with your doctor.

Upgrade Your Bed

How long have you had your bed? Or your mattress? Is it still up to the job? Is it right for you?

What about the bedding, is it comfortable or does it scratch? Are the pillows supporting you comfortably?

A good bed and the associated bedding are the tools of sleep. Make sure yours are up to the job. Buying a new bed might be too expensive, but could you at least replace those ancient pillows? Quality beds and bedding are not luxuries, they're necessities.

Modern beds and mattresses can be highly sophisticated. For example, modern memory foam was initially developed for NASA.

For more information and ideas, see the sections on beds and mattresses.

The Bedroom

After sorting out your bed, what about the bedroom itself? Some environmental problems you can do nothing about, but others you can fix. Is there a draught? Plug it or move the bed! Irritating LEDs from electronic equipment? Switch it off. Too much light through the windows? Invest in some blackout curtain liners.

Improve Your Associations

What does your bed make you think of?

The answers aren't necessarily as obvious as they seem. Many people sit in bed and work, or do mind-stimulating crossword puzzles, or balance their chequebooks. All these things set up an association between "bed" and an active mind - the opposite of what you want to achieve.

You could be unknowingly setting your bed up as an anchor for stress and wakefulness.

Be careful what you use your bed for - make sure it's reserved for exclusively nighttime activities. Do your accounts at the table during the day.

Sound Light Machines

If you like gadgets, you might want to consider using a sound and light machine.

Ask For Help

If you've read this page nodding your head and saying "tried that... didn't work" then perhaps you have a more deep-rooted sleep disorder. Don't be afraid to ask for help - it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Arrange to see your doctor or a specialist sleep therapist. That's what they're there for.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not a medical site. You should always discuss medical matters with your doctor.

Here Be Dreams Home - Sleep - A Good Night's Sleep

All original material Copyright © Trevor Mendham 2003-2005. See home page for contact details.
This is not a medical site. Nothing on this site constitutes personal advice. Please read the site terms of use.