Bed Beauties Blog

So What…I Don’t Get Enough Sleep!

“Okay,  I am not getting at least eight hours of sleep, so what! What’s the big deal?  I don’t need that much sleep anyhow-I can make it on a few hours of rest”. Maybe you’ve heard this statement at one time or another. However in the mix of concerns today where everything is orientated towards careers, celebrity-ism and success, many find themselves functioning on a steady intake of caffeine, over the counter drugs, sugar loaded products with very little sleep.  In this accelerated economy external things are exalted at the expense of internal concerns causing physical meltdown. This is not a philosophical statement but a realistic one, especially when it comes to having a good sleep routine. Within the last decade or so sleep-apnea has been an increasing problem for many in the professional and  manufacturing field. This is no surprise when considering excessive hours worked in overtime, multi-tasking parents, people working two or three jobs, not to mention pulling a midnight shift, or working swing shifts to pay your bills. If you have to do it, eat healthy and work out the best sleep routine you possibly can. 

     The fallout though is that in our fast paced culture, people exists on fast food diets and lack proper rest. This raises the larger question, “Which is more important a healthy diet or good sleep program”? The answer is both are equally important-one supports the other. The old saying you are what you eat is is compounded by  getting out on the wrong side of the bed from a night of sleeplessness. A healthy balance of diet and sleep is crucial for the body, because for the most part fast and processed food products   affects the body.  Even though it can be argued that the hours of  sleep needed may vary from individual to individual,  you must agree that everybody needs a good rest routine. Deprivation of quality sleep can cause irritability, overeating, fatigue, lower your mental awareness, and contribute to weight problems. In discussing  sleep it helps to know what is going on with the body during the sleep cycle.

What happens during sleep!

Marjie Gilliam wrote an article appearing in Cox Newspaper titled, “Lack of sleep can have an adverse effect on weight”. Ms. Gilliam explains: ” There are different stages of sleep: 1,2,3,4, and REM (rapid eye movement). They progress in cycle from stage 1 to REM, and starts all over again. An average sleep cycle takes about 90 to 110 minutes. In stage 1 (light sleep), muscle and eye movement slow down, the person drift in and out of sleep and can be awakened easily. In stage 2, eye movement stop, brain waves becomes slower, with occasional burst of rapid waves. In stage 3, extremely slow brain waves (delta waves) begin to appear interspersed with faster waves. By stage 4, the brain produces delta waves almost exclusively. During REM sleep, breathing is more rapid, irregular and shallow. The eye jerk in rapidly various directions, limb muscle become temporarily paralyzed and heart rate and blood pressure increases…The first sleep cycles each night contain shorter REM periods and longer periods of deep sleep. As the night goes on, REM sleep period increases while deep sleep decreases. By morning, people spend nearly all their sleep in stages 1, 2, and REM”.

So how does this effect ones weight? According to Dr. David Rapoport, MD, associate professor and director of the Sleep Medicine Program at the New York University School of Medicine in New York City,  “One of the more interesting ideas that has been smoldering and is now gaining momentum is the appreciation of the fact that sleep and sleep disruption do remarkable things to the body — including possibly influencing our weight”.

The website WebMD provides further enlightening information regarding this subject by affirming: “But as wild as the idea sounds, substantial medical evidence suggests some fascinating links between sleep and weight. Researchers say that how much you sleep and quite possibility the quality of your sleep may silently orchestrate a symphony of hormonal activity tied to your appetite”. 

So there is enough scientific evidence making the case that lack of sleep can cause weight problems.The best regimen is a balanced approach of  good diet and a good sleep routine. In addition to this there are things you can do that will aid in creating a good sleep environment, such as darkening the room, turning out the lights,  radios, television, not eating before lying down, and making your bed and bedroom the most desirable and comfortable place to retire to at night.  Excellent bedding products are on the market today that increases comfort-ability and promotes rest. These bedding products would be in Egyptians cottons, Bamboos, and 100% Natural Cottons materials, and in 200 to as much as 1500 thread counts. As you take these facts to heart and assimilate them, there will be no question in your mind that lack of sleep is a big deal.

Images cited, image 1, Stressed worker, www.healthresponse.co.uk, image 2, Sleep study patient, www.sleepomega.com.

What Do We Want?

Hmm, so you want to decorate your bedroom. You don’t want it to be just simply a decorated room but a bedroom with sensational appeal.  Individual taste and preferences can be viewed as individual concerns,  but its true that decoration does not always achieve beauty and appeal, because sometimes decorating can be over done.  Keep it simple yet sensational, there’s beauty in simplicity. Generally there are at least three  starting points for consideration.  First, a complete makeover,  second, working with what you have on hand, and third, doing a little  at a time as you come up with the extra cash. But regardless of what approach you take, bedroom creativity requires thinking through and planning for what you want to accomplish. A good rule to remember is;  Everything begins and end with the room size  and available wall space!, this will be the framework from which you create.

What Color Fit Our Scheme?

Next you will be choosing your color scheme, and there are plenty of magazines, books and resources dealing with this topic. The central and foremost thing you want to achieve is unity and balance, so look around and develop your creativity. Nothing is more lovelier in a bedroom than an effect of coordinated unity.  As George Peppard used to say “I love it when a plan comes together”! So whether going with a matching fabric scheme or contrasting colors and patterns, work towards stimulating the senses, by that I am implying using colors and designs that promotes a soft subdued environment rather than a lively one, especially when it comes time for resting.

The Final Touch!

In performing a complete makeover, the bed will be the largest piece of furniture in the room, so make sure you gather in all the details before you buy. My wife adored this gorgeous cherry bedroom set, and  just had to purchase it, but after setting everything up, there wasn’t enough available space for all the pieces to be adequately arranged. Unfortunately we had to cater-corner the chest to keep from breaking up the set. So plan well while considering the available space you have before picking out your bedroom set. The next thing you should look at is your style. Style and layout are influenced by what you expect of your bedroom, and how you want it to look. Some people use their bedroom for multipurpose, as an office, a place for leisure and lounging, or watching movies, it all depends on what you want. However in spite of these things, your bedroom is a place where you’ll spend a majority of your time sleeping and should be neat, tidy, beautiful and appealing, because clutter can be psychologically depressing. There are some fantastic bedding sets  on the markets today, many come in great fabric, thread-counts, matching draperies and accessories. Adding various accessories such as throw rugs, plants, flower vases and sculptured pieces can do a lot to enhance creativity.  So when you buy shop around and think in terms of your available space, quality, style and be creative..

Know what you want!

Most of the time and deliberation people put in when buying major things such as cars, furniture, jewelry or clothes, that same importance is not considered when buying bedding?  We go to great limits making sure we are getting the best buy for our money for value and satisfaction  with most personal items, yet when purchasing bedding it may causally be treated as necessity buying. Shoppers generally will  purchase new sheets, pillow cases, and bedding cover that looks good with their  room’s decor, while giving very little thought to their sleep quality.  The big question is, “Are there any differences between various bedding types and their construction making a difference?  The big answer is Yes there is! It helps to know what to look for rather than just simply looking. For example slipping into a bed with regular sheets  during the winter months, delivers a few moments of cold sensation until your body heat generates warmth in the bed. However flannel sheets will dramatically counter that effect, making them a better buy for those frosty nights. Therefore considering why and what to buy outweighs  simply buying out of necessity?

Buy what you need!

So what are the options regarding your bedding  choices? With all the bedding terms, descriptions and material, what are the real differences you should look for before buying? For starters quality should be a primary concern, the fabric’s material, its thread count,  cost benefit.  The old saying “You get what you pay for” holds true for any personal purchase, even bedding.  A good bedding set should simply be seen but enjoyed as well.  Cheapness can be short lived, but quality lasts a log time if cared for, and will bring you lasting comfort and satisfaction. You don’t have to spend lots of money to get good quality bedding, but even if you do it pays for itself over time.  A little  research  will aid you in smart buying. The premium materials used in bedding  are Egyptian Cotton, Bamboo and Giza Cotton, and  additionally there are those with Hypoallergenic  construction.  Egyptian cotton  leads as top of the line of the cotton products. Although there are some basic similarities between it and the Bamboo products,  the distinguishing differences would be Egyptian cotton’s durability and its higher thread count.

Sleep in Comfort!

So the real difference primarily is the cost/benefit of your purchase, the satisfaction and value of the  return you get from your purchase.  The bed you hate getting out of  in the mornings, and quite glad to snuggle back into at night is well worth the money  you  spend for the quality and satisfaction you will receive.  Having a basic understanding of the nature and qualities of bedding materials will make you a better and informed buyer. So why not invest  in yourself  promoting conditions for your sleep-ability. So spend something on yourself for a change and make yourself happy. Don’t take your sleep so leisurely,  because outside of eating and drinking, sleeping is probably the next most important aspect of our physiological function.

Images cited, image 1, http://www,ehow.com,mage 2, http://www.sleepapneadentist.com

Smoking in Bed is unsafe!

I remember a high school friend some years ago who lost his life in a bedroom fire. The investigating report determined that falling asleep while smoking  caused the fatality. It was a terrible incident and a gloomy time for everyone who knew him. Statistically thescooponsmoking.org documents that fires in bedrooms accounts for about 25% of deaths caused by smoking in bed. In spite of these numbers people will go on risking their lives practicing this unsafe act. The truth is that it may not always be a case of a total disregard for safety, but the old belief, ” It won’t happen to me”.  After all how often has a cigarette been fired up after a drinking binge and going to bed, reading a book with turning in, simply to calm down before sleep, or with any action  that normally caused sleepiness. The safest approach is if you have to smoke at all do it before going to bed. Although smoking in bed is one of the leading cause of bedroom fires, others unsafe practices also leads to damages, injuries and fatalities in the bedroom.

Faulty Plug Removal

Electrical fires is another cause of bedroom incidents. The condition is created by the practice of jerking out electrical plugs rather than remove them. This convenient habit of jerking electrical plugs out, rather than taking  time to get up and unplug the instrument  is potentially hazardous. This can break the small wiring at the base of the plug creating a short or a dangerous electrical fault, causing a device to work or sometimes  not, overheating setting up conditions for a potential fire. Some people will go on using it as is, rather than to get the cord properly repaired. This problem can be quite  dangerous when present with  lamp cords, electrical blankets, heating pads or anything left on while falling  asleep. The best way of unplugging any device is the conventional way-grab the plug at the insulated case and remove it. Appliance Design provides helpful information on this subject. It may not always seems to be the convenient thing to do especially if being tired and totally worn out, but it is the safest thing to do and will create an ongoing habit of acting safely. Thinking safety builds an attitude of safety in other areas as well.

Use Heating Device Safely

Another important safety practice in the bedroom is with small portable heating devices, whether electrical or fuel based they all can be hazardous if used improperly. During our times of high energy costs, inflation and high unemployment, many are looking for ways to streamline their budget especially during the winter months as heating costs increases every season.  Years ago when portable  heating devices first hit the market,  a flaw existed causing many bedroom fires. Some of the heating apparatus were not designed with  safety tip over features, but over the years the designs have gotten better. Today’s heating devices can be purchased with tip over technology, thermostats, timers, and basic instructions adding for a safe environment in your bedroom where you will normally spend one third of your day sleeping.  Also many individuals keep personals and precious belonging in their bedroom. In addition  hard earned money is spent buying quality bedding and accessories for making their bedroom beautiful, relaxing and comfortable.  So why not get yourself some basic insurance, by practicing and keeping with some basic home safety in your bedroom.

Images Cited, Image 1 Sleeping Smoker, http://www.impactlab.net, Image 2 Unsafe Plug Removal, http://www.appliancedesign.com, Image 3 Safe Heating Device, http://www.texas.inetgiant.com.

Why Egyptian Cotton?

Whats all the hype about concerning Egyptian cotton? Is there really any difference in this cotton than other cottons? Why is  Egyptian cotton rated as a leading product used in the fabric industry? In today’s markets  when consumers are looking for quality, comfort, durability and affordability, Egyptian cotton offers all of these. These are the reason why discovering Egyptian cotton is significant. As the old saying goes, “The proof is in the pudding”, the accolades surrounding Egyptian cotton is not hype nor exaggeration, it has been proven to be true and it would be worth while to consider the uniqueness of Egyptian cotton.

Egyptian Cotton-Characteristics

It is not known how long cotton has been used in textile production, but according to  information provided by Tour Egypt,  three  important event that shaped the market for  Egyptian cotton were:

• The introduction of the spinning machine in England in the 1700′s.
• The invention of Eli Whitney’s cotton gin later in the century.
• The onslaught of the Civil War which directly influenced the Egyptian cotton market.

The quality of Egyptian cotton is crucial for developing threads used in constructing  fabric yarn, therefore geographical location such as Egypt is  a very important factor in sustaining favorable climate conditions  necessary for producing healthy plants. Its extra long thin staples or fiber which  smaller in diameter is  stronger than other cottons. These smaller, longer, thinner yarn means that more threads per square inch can be used to create a soft yet stronger, lighter fabric that  breathes well and great for  its moisture absorb-ability.  Another characteristic is that 100% Egyptian cotton has anti-pilling qualities. Fabric that pills when washed repeatedly looses it texture, appeal and feel, but not Egyptian cotton.

Egyptian Cotton-Consensus

So how does this factors in better sleep? Quite easily! Taking care to dress your bed with 100% Egyptian cotton bedding provides you with softness, comfort-ability, breath-ability, moisture absorb-ability, and an energizing night of pleasant sleep conventionally.  Because of it dominating qualities, Egyptian cotton has made inroads in the fabric industry, whether speaking of clothing, towels, bathrobes, comforters, duvets, sheets, Egyptian cotton is well worth discovering for its numerous benefits.

Images cited, www.touregypt.net.

Beauty lies within something’s appeal to the senses of sight, emotion and feel. The art of decorating is taking bedding, furniture and things  you like, and creatively arranging them in the available space you have in your room or home. Like the artist or photographer who captures the beauty of color, light, and the simple and often overlooked things presenting them to us in a refreshing way, the same can be said of decorating your home. The old adage “Home is what you make it” is a fact of life. Your home can be attractive, enjoyable and livable, or it can be depressing, lifeless and a drudgery. You don’t have to have a lot of money to make your living room, bedroom or kitchen beautiful, only a little creativity. With a little time, planning and careful arrangement, your home can become your castle.

There are some basic things to consider when preparing to decorate any room. These would be planning, budget, space, color  theme, choice of furniture, and accessories. You don’t have to buy expensive just smart. Knowing what you want will preclude you from emotional buys. Often what looks terrific in a showcase looks different at home, and your emotions may change the next day. In deciding what you want the internet and magazines can provide you with some excellent leads. Also consider the fact that furniture is a long term investment that will move with you when you decide to sell. Will your furniture set compliment your next home?  Perhaps you might see furniture you like but it cost a little more than anticipated. If you don’t have the cash outright then ask about a 0% 12 month interest free purchase plan, and remember accessories such as rugs, carpets, draperies and curtains can be purchased inexpensively, because these may not fit the floors and window areas of your future home.

Space is also an important factor when decorating.  Will the furniture you prefer compliment the space you have to work with? Nothing looks worse than an expensive and large furniture set all crammed up in a room too small, or a large room with pieces spaced out to accommodate the space, this affects the room’s balance. Having a heavy or large piece of furniture on one side of the room with no similar weight opposite it across the room makes the room tilts. If you do not have another large piece of weightier furniture, darker color piece or pieces gives the affect of heaviness for balance. Blank wall space between the window areas, and door to closet or corner, is also important, because if you have to break up your set due to lack of room, your scheme is broken and unbalanced. Furniture should be utilized carefully planned and adequately arranged in spaces that will compliment the room for its balance and appeal.

Color as well is a very important option. In art we learn that color can be either warm or cool, and can stimulate the emotions. The warm colors are red, yellow and orange or a combination of these, and cool colors are blue, green, and violet or a combination of these. The value of a color has to do with its lightness or darkness, and using different complimentary colors creates a contrast. Warm colors often generates feelings of warmth and comfort, while cool colors generates emotions of serene and calming effect. Various shades of warm colors and cool can range between emotions that are positive or negative depending on the hue. color is a key factor that makes a significant difference when decorating and arranging your rooms. If you keep these basic things in mind, you are on the right path to making your home affordable, enjoyable, comfortable, and livable.

Images cited: 1st image, Digital camera photographer, www.artofthepictures.blogspot.com.  2nd image, empty house.jpg  www.poetrysoundbites.blogspot.com. Video, www.youtube.com.

Deciding to Buy

What do I want? What do I need? What should I look for? Do you have the answer to any of these question? When purchasing bedding for your bed or performing a complete bedroom make over, there are things you should know before buying bedding? If you have no idea what you should buy there are a few terms and descriptions you need to be familiar with to make a smart choice  getting the best value for your money. Your bedroom is not simply a place for show and appeal, but  a place where you will spend at least one third of your time sleeping, so you will want the best of quality and comfort.

Understanding What to Buy

Before purchasing bedding  you will come across  terms such as duvets, bed ensembles, bed in a bag, comforter sets, day bed sets and quilt or quilt sets. Each of these has all, or at least one of the individual pieces that makes up a bed. A complete bed consists of a bed skirt or dust ruffle, flat and fitted sheets,  comforter, quilt or duvet cover, pillows or pillow shams (European or Standard), or decorative pillows. These items can be purchased individually or as a full set, depending upon the style you choose. Bedding sets are sometimes offered in sets of 4 piece, 8 piece, 9 piece, 10 piece, or with bonus pieces. Don’t be taken in by the higher number of pieces with the set because what you want  is quality and comfort; the kind of material it is made of, thread count, and its sleep-ability or benefit.

Buying Informed

With a full bed set, the option is to go with either a comforter set or bed ensemble often referred to as a bed in a bag. Comforter sets  comes with pillows or shams but does not comes with the fitted and flat sheets. This is the basic difference between a comforter sets and a bed ensemble or bed in a bag which does come with the flat and fitted sheets and pillows and sometimes shams depending on the set description. The best quality in material to look for would be anything with Egyptian cotton, bamboo material, 100% cotton, and  a good thread count in the sheets. Egyptian cotton and bamboo fibers ranks high in quality because of their wicking effects and health benefits. Knowing these facts not only will save you time and money, but will benefit you in making smart choices for your health and comfort.

Mass Produced Bedding Ensembles

While warehouse style, or “we sell everything” type stores are excellent places to buy anything from a ceiling fan to vitamins, they may not be the best place to purchase your bedding. Depending on the outlet, quality becomes an issue as well as life expectancy and comfort. Generally speaking, many people do not enjoy the feeling of lying down after a long day in a cocoon of sandpaper.

Many people are not resigned to have bedding that has been mass produced and prefer using customized or custom bedding. Those who are proficient enough with a sewing kit and machine may be able to take on the task of making their own bedding and sheets, but the other 99% of the population need a little help finding quality bedding without having to spend a major chunk of time or money doing so.

With mass produced bedding, affordability is of course a bonus, but when that translates into “cheap”, what you are sacrificing besides comfort and quality, is individuality in your bedroom decoration. When 3 other people in your neighborhood have the same exact print, it doesn’t inspire a sense of originality. Search a little bit online though, and one can find the unique bedding to set their bedrooms apart from the rest.

Hypoallergenic Bedding

40 to 50 million Americans a year suffer from some kind of allergy. Skin allergies, or skin sensitivity is more prevalent than it was even 20 years ago. Industrialized nations have a much higher percentage of people suffering from skin allergies than those who may take a more “organic” approach. There has been an increase in asthma, psoriasis, eczema, and a variety of other skin problems.

The fabric itself, whether its made from cotton, silk, linen, or synthetic, is generally processed with either pesticides, or treated with chemicals at some stage in the manufacturing process. While most people don’t have a reaction to these or respond in any way, they can be a problem for some. If that’s the case, then choosing a comforter that is made with hypoallergenic “innards” can be a simple way to alleviate some concerns.

Dealing with skin sensitivity to fabrics is easier to deal with than airborne allergies, because they can be managed for many people by concentrating on what types of fabrics you allow your skin to come in contact with. The most important part of managing skin allergies on a daily basis is knowing and avoiding the particular allergens that cause a reaction.

With cotton for example, if you have a skin irritation, it’s not from the fabric itself, but the dye on the fabric that you’re having a reaction to. There are over three thousand known triggers for skin allergies. Many are natural, but there are plenty of man-made as well. Purchasing quality bedding and clothing that aren’t made with cheap dyes or fabrics is a good place to start.

Lack of Sleep is a Nation Wide Epidemic!

There are few things in this world that are as important to overall health as a good nights sleep. Considering people generally spend an average of 1/3 of their lives in bed, where you are sleeping should be a comfortable, supportive, and satisfying environment. Getting enough sleep affects your overall quality of life today, but has a drastic effect on your future quality of life, especially when you’re elderly.

Besides the obviousness of owning a quality mattress; sheets, bedding and pillows also play a sizable role in whether or not you have a good nights sleep. If the sheets you own are of low quality, uncomfortable, not breathable, or itchy, that can easily affect your quality of rest.

The most well know sheet types are made out of cotton, linen, silk, or some type of synthetic. Cotton sheets are more popular, as silk and genuine linen both cost more. When buying cotton sheets, it’s important that they are not only 100% cotton, but made of a quality fiber. Egyptian cotton is an example. An additional surprising option for sheets are ones made of bamboo. They have inherent antibacterial capabilities, are extremely breathable, very soft, and are priced comparably with 100% cotton sheets.

What’s important is making your bed as comfortable as you can, as it serves as a direct link to a healthier lifestyle. Regularly getting enough sleep directly affects your mental clarity, productivity at work, emotional balance, creativity, physical vitality, and even your weight.