Bedding, Pillows and Mattress – How Do I Get The Most Comfortable Sleep?
Though why we need sleep is well-known, it seems that many people don’t take sleeping all that seriously. There is ample evidence that many don’t get enough sleep or struggle with insomnia, and that the quality of sleep that people do get is far less than what health professionals recommend. What is a person to do to get better, more health-promoting sleep?
In addition to using sound sleep strategies on how to sleep well, it’s useful to look at how more comfortable sleep can produce better sleeping results. Because while getting there may be half the fun, if “there” isn’t a situation that produces the best sleep, winning the battle may ultimately mean losing the war. Fight the effects of insomnia by covering the three bases that will deliver the best sleep!
Three Factors That Promote the Most Comfortable Sleep
The three most basic things that lead to the most comfortable sleep are proper bedding, comfortable pillows, and a high quality mattress. If a sleeper can have these areas appropriately covered, sleeping will provide its maximum benefits. Neglect any of these essentials and sleeping may become difficult or unsatisfying. Always keeping these three areas in mind while making up a room will always produce better sleep results.
Sleep Better Bedding
Bedding can be summed up into one word: layers. Getting the right mix of layering is crucial to having the most comfortable bedding, so it’s good to look at bedding options one layer at a time.
Blanket, Comforter, or Quilt?
The top layer of bedding is the first thing the sleeper or a guest sees. As a result, a top layer should create visual satisfaction that is comforting. There’s a bit of disagreement between how the various terms for layers of bedding are used, so to approach them most generally, a quilt – or top layer of bedding made through the elaborate process of quilting – can be used to decorate as well as create warmth. Quilts tend to be thicker, traditionally with three layers, the middle being wool or down. Because making them is so labor-intensive, they tend to be elaborate and beautiful, but depending on what the middle layer is made of, they might be a bit too much. Using different types of bedding between the seasons may even be a better top layer option, depending on how cold it gets.
Besides quilts, people also use blankets or comforters as their top layer of bedding. Blankets are the thinnest covering layer, just one piece of fabric usually made out of wool, whose thickness is just determined by the amount of wool or other material used. For a more interesting look, some suggest using a woven “cable-knit” blanket, which is as warm and decorative as a quilt. As with all bedding choices, individual tastes vary.
Comforters, on the other hand are usually two large pieces of fabric sewn together, with down, wool, or cotton between them as a “filling.” Both of its fabric layers can often be used as an outer layer, so many comforters are reversible, which requires them to be washed like any other piece of laundry. Quilted comforters are available to get the right look, and as for the cleanliness issue, this brings up the second layer of bedding to consider.
Duvet or Not Duvet?
There is some disagreement about what or how the middle layer – or layers – of bedding should be. In North America, bedding usually consists of a top layer, a middle “top sheet” or “flat sheet” and then a bottom, fitted sheet that the sleeper physically lies on. One school of thought argues that adding another blanket between the top sheet and the fitted sheet helps an individual regulate body temperature. This is popular in hotels, particularly the Westin. The thing is, gel-infused memory foam mattresses can also regulate overall temperature in bed while sleeping, eliminating the need for this additional layer. Which brings up another mini-controversy: the duvet
The word “duvet” can be used to describe one of two pieces of bedding. It is sometimes used to for a two layered piece of bedding filled with down, feathers, wool, or silk, similar to a comforter. At other times it is used to describe the covering itself, which can often be removed and then washed, maintaining the cleanliness of whatever is put inside of it. Some people even fill these duvets with their comforters, keeping it clean by just changing duvets frequently to enhance the style and look of the room itself. Whichever option a person chooses with a duvet, the main idea is to pick a filling that works best for the individual. The thicker it is, the warmer it becomes. Remember that a cheap down comforter filled with feathers may be cooler, but it may also have the feathers’ ends poking out. Simply put, don’t skimp on what to use in comforters, duvets or pillows! Be mindful of allergies too, because they can also make feather beddings and pillows really uncomfortable. And once a duvet has been chosen, the controversy: Is the top or “flat sheet” really necessary?
It’s been suggested that by moving around in bed, top sheets often end up scrunched into the bottom of the bed, eliminating their original function of keeping the top layer and mattress clean. As a result, some advocate using a duvet and eliminating the flat sheet altogether. This essentially creates two layers and a much easier bed to make. A removable duvet stuffed with a comforter will be warm, comfortable, and easy to clean. And when used with thinner or more decorative quilts and blankets, it can create a unique and fashionable look. Whatever a person chooses, comfort needs to be the primary goal, because without comfortable bedding, it’s hard to get the best sleep.
A Sheet That Fits
Finally, all bedding must include a bottom, fitted sheet to cover the mattress. This is where most sleepers tend to become overly concerned with thread counts and fabric. Thread counts however, are commonly overrated. According to experts, 100% cotton sheets with a thread count of 300-400 are ideal. Cotton doesn’t wrinkl, and is cool and easy to clean. It allows the body to breathe, so it helps regulate temperature too. Though silk sheets feel and look nice, they also tend to be more expensive, so when it comes to that fitted bottom layer, keeping it simple is best.
Pillow Talk
As far as pillows go, the main things to consider are how the sleeper lies, where to put the pillows, and how many to use.
Stomach Sleepers: Stomach sleepers need the thinnest pillow they can find. Without one they will have all sorts of neck and body pains. This is because a thick pillow that raises the head while sleeping will make breathing difficult for those who sleep on their stomach. When sleeping in that position, always think thin.
Back Sleepers: Back sleepers need a thin pillow too, but a little firmer than stomach sleepers. As long as their pillow has a little lift at the bottom to cradle the neck, back sleepers should be comfortable. Placing a pillow under the knees can help too, as can a premium mattress.
Side Sleepers: Side sleepers need to fill the distance between their ear and their outside shoulder. This calls for a firmer pillow to prevent back pain or better still, a pillow between the knees that puts the spine in a neutral position. With legs pulled up slightly, side sleeping is comfortable on the right side (that doesn’t contain the liver, stomach, or lungs), and the right mattress.
Getting creative with pillows is another fun way to make a bed more inviting, and thus more comfortable. Generally speaking, at least two standard pillows on each side, and extra cuddly throw pillows all around help a great deal. A rule of thumb is to have one larger Euro sham pillow and two standard for a twin bed. For a full or queen, try two Euro and four standard. And for a king-sized bed, experts recommend two or three Euro and four king pillows. That said, everyone has a different budget, and can mix and match to their own tastes.
The Ultimate Sleep Mattress
Because sleep is about quality as much as it is about quantity, the best mattress is one that requires the least extras and lasts longest. This is why lull.com offers an easy-to-setup online mattress that accommodates the needs of any sleeper.
Always the Right Position: No matter what position a person sleeps in, the gel-infused memory foam of a Lull mattress is designed to create healthy spine alignment. The 7" high-density polyurethane core support layer combines with a 1.5" transition layer made from a proprietary blend of premium foam to make anyone feel like they sleep on a cloud. Stomach, back, side sleepers and those who sleep in the fetal position all feel comfortable no matter what. And the Lull 10-year warranty will battle insomnia effects on the body for years to come.
Perfect Temperature in Any Bedding: While it might be fun to mess around with blankets and bedding to find the perfect temperature for better sleep, Lull’s mattress is actually built to distribute heat. Because of this, it doesn’t matter what kinds of sheets a person uses or what they cover themselves with – they will always feel like it’s 69 degrees, the scientifically determined ideal temperature for sleep. At the end of the day, bedding should really be for comfort and show, not a help or hindrance in going to sleep. Lull makes the best bed to ensure that no matter what, sleepers will always get the best sleep.
Ahead of its Time: Finally, because the number of pillows a person uses should really be up to them, the Lull mattress takes all of the spine and neck issues out of the sleeping equation. Its premium gel-infused memory foam lets any sleeper use any pillow and get the most comfortable sleep. Because it always feels as soft as a sleeper needs it to be and bounces back when sleepers enter and exit the bed, pillow size and quality are irrelevant. No matter how a person sleeps, a pillow used with a Lull mattress can be any size or shape. The sleeper will always be able to get perfect rest in the end.
As long as a sleeper satisfies the main comfort areas they won’t struggle to go to sleep. Without a Lull mattress, a sleeper needs to pick the right position to sleep in from the four different possibilities. They need to buy the perfect bedding, get the correct pillows, and then hope they’re able to get the 7-10 hours of sleep most doctors recommend. Or they can get the ultimate sleep mattress from lull.com and enjoy absolutely perfect amounts of sleep. Bottom line, at the end of the day it’s not enough to get to bed on time – it’s about how much comfortable, high-quality sleep a person can actually get. Sleep well!