Mattress, Beds – Sleep your Way to Health

Sleep and health have long been linked by researchers and sleep scientists. There are a number of health problems that have been linked with poor sleeping patterns. Some researchers have claimed that tossing and turning on your mattress and poor quality sleep can be indicative of underlying health problems, such as heart disease. And new research says, our beds and mattress could be key to fighting off cold and flu viruses.

Mattress Matters – Beds and Health

Research in America has found that sleeping for under seven hours a night greatly increases the risk of contracting a cold. The findings suggest we should be spending more time on our mattress – and not only should we be aiming for seven hours in bed every night, we should be looking at the quality of our sleep. Simple measures like avoiding stimulants and unwinding at the end of the day can impact heavily on the quality of our sleep. The research shows that we need to take our beds as seriously as we take our diets and exercise for maintaining optimum health. The researchers from Carnegie Mellon University believe those who don't get the recommended mattress time can suffer from an impaired immune system. This explains why those who aren't getting seven hours in their beds most nights could find themselves struggling with more viruses, such as colds.

Volunteers Monitored in their Beds

But even lying on your mattress for the required seven hours may not be the solution – sleep is something many of us struggle with. And some researchers believe the immune system could be controlling our sleep-wake patterns, with sleep disturbance depressing the immune system's response to infection. Research in the past has already shown that those who sleep seven to eight hours a night have the lowest rates of heart disease. This could also be linked to wider lifestyle issues – those who find sleep easy may not smoke or drink (stimulants keep you awake) and may have minimum amounts of stress and worry to keep them awake.

The study traced volunteers who were happy to be monitored in their beds. They were infected with the cold virus and those who slept less, the study found, were more likely to develop a cold. Investing in a good mattress and high quality beds is just as important as thinking about day-to-day lifestyle – volunteers who spent less than 92% of their time asleep in their beds were over five times more likely to become ill than those who slept for at least 98% of the time on their mattress.

Looking for a new Mattress? Speak to Snug

Snug memory foam mattresses are skilfully designed and manufactured with your best night's sleep the priority. All the mattresses are available online and direct from Snug. If you are looking for a mattress that is hypo-allergenic and temperature sensitive, with a 5 or 15 year guarantee, shop at Snug. You can shop online straight away, or call us on 0800 0277017 if you need help or advice.