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The weather's nice, the kids are out of school, and you've accumulated quite an impressive bit of vacation time throughout the gray days of winter. So it's time to grab the family and experience the way the sun reflects the beauty of a new (or old favorite) place away from home. However, there is one thing aside from traveler's checks and sun block not to be forgotten: a good night's sleep. Often neglected, a night of restful sleep can be the cornerstone of any family's memorable get-away. Here are some tips to ensure your nights are just as good as your days.
-Always be prepared: Even before leaving, be sure to keep a regular nightly sleeping pattern by going to bed at the same time every night as well as waking up at a similar time every morning. Your body and its internal clock will fall into a natural rhythm all on its own.
-Location, location, location: The room you stay in can play a major part in noise-reduction. Arrive at the hotel earlier to request a 'quiet room'. These are rooms at the end of the hall that cut down on the amount of foot traffic that passes by your door. These rooms also tend to be further away from loud, clunky ice machines.
-Ready, set, sleep!: These days, many hotels realize that comfort is of the utmost priority to their patrons. You'll find that many establishments furnish their rooms with luxury bedding, such as the Simmons® mattresses you're already comfortable and familiar with (visit www.beddingconcierge.com for a list of hotels and suites that offer the classic comfort and feel of a Simmons® mattress). Upon arrival, check the quality of the bed. If it's not to your liking, don't be afraid to phone the front desk and request a room change.
-We're not in Kansas anymore: "There's no place like home" couldn't be more true. Humans, by nature, feel the most comfortable with familiar objects. So be sure to pack a favorite pillow, blanket, or other bedding items (especially for the kids).
-Are we there yet?: Vacations are a great and memorable time for children. However, kids can be sapped of their seemingly endless energy by over-excitement. This can lead to grumpiness or a general feeling of crankiness the next day. Be sure to work in regular naps and moments of cool-down time followed by a regular, steady walking pace during your daily activities.
-They're called Zs for a reason: Have a snorer in the family? Keep in mind that most hotel rooms are shared sleeping spaces. X out the Zs by picking up a pair of soft, foamy earplugs at your local pharmacy.
-When all else fails: Kids aren't the only ones who can be overly excited by the fresh memories of the day. It's always good to have a back-up plan, should you find yourself tossing and turning after taking every precaution. Most pharmacies carry a wide variety of healthy, natural sleep aids. However, be sure to consult your physician and read all labels before resorting to this step.
So there we have it: a few simple steps towards achieving better serenity for your time away from the usual. And, once you get back home, your Simmons mattress will never have felt more cozy and inviting. As always, be safe and send plenty of postcards.
Home Sweet Home.
Even when not on the road, sleep is an incredibly valuable commodity in our everyday lives. Just like our cell phones and mp3 players, if our bodies aren't charged for long enough, a major crash can occur. Follow these simple tips both before vacation and after to get the best out of your slumbering hours.
Set the stage: Your bedroom is the sanctuary of your sleep. Make sure it's as comfortable and cozy as you can with soft, warm lights and relaxing colors such as blues and greens in addition to your Simmons® mattress. It's also recommended that electronics such as TVs and laptops be left out of the bedroom, or at least not used an hour before you bed down. Try reading a book instead.
Forecast calls for: The temperature in your room plays a vital part in you staying asleep. The warmer it is, the more likely you'll be to get stirred from your rest. It's suggested that the thermostat be set between 65 and 75 degrees to ensure optimal sleep temperatures. And of course, too much clothing worn to bed can also cause over-insulation. So be sure to dress lightly for the occasion.
Don't be afraid of the dark: The sun's rays act as a natural alarm clock for our bodies. A street light, street sign, or even the light of a passing car can mimic this. So be sure to drape any windows in heavy, opaque curtains to keep the light out of your room.
Waking up is hard to do: A large percentage of us just aren't morning people and turn to coffee for a pick-me-up. A few cups of joe in the morning are fine as long as you remember one key thing: caffeine stays in the body for roughly 12 hours, so be cautious when having a cup after 12pm. If needed, you can skip the bean all together and eat an apple instead. Apples contain natural properties that some experts believe is more efficient at waking us up than cup of coffee.
Sleep, rattle, and roll:'"Circadian Rhythm' may sound like a good name for a jazz band, but it's actually the technical term for our bodies' inner-sleep clock. That inner clock, in time adheres to a certain sleep schedule. So be sure to go to bed at the same time every night and wake up at the same time every morning (even Sunday when the urge to oversleep is the greatest).
You snooze, you lose: Your first inclination when the alarm goes off is to make it stop. However, hitting the snooze button over and over again greatly reduces the quality of the sleep you're getting. Plus, it confuses the body as to whether it should power up, or shut back down. Set the alarm for the latest possible time you can wake up and only hit the snooze button once at the most.
These basic steps used in conjunction with our line of high-end bedding technology and you'll be well on your way to a better night's sleep.
Past Newsletters:
New options for recycling old mattresses (June 2010)
Test your sleep IQ with the Simmons® Quiz of the Day sweepstakes
Fight the cold and flu with sleep (October 2009)
Waking up to the facts about snoring (September 2009)
Benefits of a New Bed (August 2009)
Beautyrest Promotion (June 2009)
Memorial Day (May 2009)
Pillow Promotion (May 2009)
Get Ready for the Holidays (November 2008)
Beat The Heat (August 2008)
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