Category: Miscellaneous

Physiology of Sleep

The relation between sleep deprivation and weight gain is debatable, however there
is some science behind the concept of it. The important question everyone has been
asking since the beginning of sleep study is whether or not sleep has any
physiological effects. A recent study performed on rats in which the experimental
group went a substantial amount of time without sleep while the control group
received time to sleep indicated paramount conclusions. The results were clear:
sleep distress increased the likelihood of severe debilitation and even death in
those who were part of the experimental group, while the control group suffered
no consequences.

What is also significant about sleep studies is that after even one night of sleep
destitution one's ghrelin levels may rise. Ghrelin is a chemical produced to alert
us of whether or not we are hungry and need food. Reports show that after 3 nights
of sleep regulation (7 hours the first night, 4.5 hours the second night, and total
sleep restriction on the last night) men with a normal BMI stated that they felt a
remarkably stronger feeling of hunger. The science behind it cleared up that ghrelin
levels were indeed at a much higher percentage after sleep deprivation than after a
normal 7 - 8 hour rest period.

Whether or not comfort has an affect on ghrelin levels is unsettled. But comfort in
bedding material surely can help one fall asleep easier - and for all the right
reasons. While America once held the record as the most obese nation (only to be lost
to Mexico in March of 2013) it is still alarming the percentage of overweight adults
in the country (35.7% are obese.) These statistics could be correlated to the fact
that over the past few decades the average American is sleeping at least two hours
less than those who survived in the early to mid twentieth century.

Better amenity in sleeping hours can induce a deeper, more relaxed sleep which can
help in relieving one's body of grogginess and discomfort in the early morning hours.
While sleeping healthier stimulates the body's natural sleep cycle it will also reduce
stress levels which can eliminate unnecessary feelings of hunger and the need for oral
fixations such as smoking and drinking. Some research suggest that the time spent
sleeping and also the QUALITY of one's sleeping hours can actually affect weight LOSS!
This is because when a person gets the proper amount of rest their ghrelin levels
decrease while their leptin levels (which are produced in fat cells and send signals
to the brain alerting one that they are full) increase.

Even though research on the correlation between sleep and weight loss is still up in
the air, many experts agree that if you are working on a diet, putting in a few extra
hours of sleep certainly will not hurt. Director of the Connecticut Center for sleep
medicine Dominic Roca says that "more and more data comes to the forefront to suggest
that you simply can't cut back on sleep without paying some price."

Eric is currently a student and part-time team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

Tags athlete, comfort, obesity, sleep

Green Living Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Organic Comfort Sleep Tips

Can’t Sleep?

Are you finding it difficult to fall asleep when the lights are finally turned out at night?
Is it difficult to stay asleep for the entire period of the night?
Here are some easy tips that can help to ensure your quality and quantity of rest:

1. Turn down the lights!
It can not be said enough that the amount of light reaching the retina can either
increase or decrease one's melatonin production which will determine a person's ability
to fall asleep quickly.

2. Avoid drugs such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
While it may seem rather obvious as to why one must avoid such stimulants as caffeine
and nicotine - because they are stimulants and they excite neural activity - the reason
behind why consuming alcohol before bed time may seem less clear. Because alcohol is a
depressant it works as an aid to SLOW neural activity and for many people it may help
in putting them to sleep; however, because alcohol is unnatural to the human body it will
disrupt one's internal biological clock and perhaps reset his or her sleep schedule.
In other words, we do not experience the basic sleep cycles while intoxicated as we would
sober. Also, drugs inhibit REM sleep, which is dream sleep, and in dreaming one's memory is
created to a certain degree and with these depressants a person is susceptible blacking
out and doing things they shouldn't then waking up without any recollection of it!

3. Create comforting pre-sleep routines
As bedtime approaches a person may want to indulge in activities that sooth
brain activity. These activities will be as simple as reading a book, taking a
bath, and watching T.V. (though try to refrain from light emitting screens in
the ten minutes before sleep). Activities to avoid would be ones that involve
physical labor, and stress.

4. Assure a normal sleep schedule:
In order for your body to rest easier it is imperative that one gets the same number
of hours of sleep per night and that they go to bed and wake up at particular times.
This is so that your body has time to wake up and get tired again all in a normal days cycle.

5. Exercise regularly:
While exercising in the hour before sleep is not ideal - because is gets blood rushing
to all parts of one's body, making them feel alive - a good workout at some point during the
day would not go unrewarded. For one maintaining healthy habits such as these is good
practice, but also it fatigues your body, making a person more tired.

6. Manage shift work:
What this means is only that if you are working the night shift multiple times
in a row you may be prone to sleep debt. Trying to work out your schedule so that you
are not losing so much sleep will be a good thing, but if this can not be done try to
create a dark atmosphere to your bedroom - dark curtains/shades, dark paint, low light,
and other things of that nature that can stimulate melatonin production in the brain.

7. COMFORT!
Finally we've reached our final tip and that is to assure that your body is
comfortable when trying to fall asleep. In the long winter months a thick wool comforter
will help in maintaining the appropriate body temperature with making a person sweat or
freeze to death. Sleeping on organic fibers such as cotton aid in natural comfort and
promotes deeper sleep, making it less likely for a person to awake in the middle of the night.

So there you have it, 7 tips that can help to eliminate stress and set your body back on track
to a natural sleep cycle - best of luck!

Tags can't sleep, healthy lifestyles, natural bedroom, Sleep Tips

Miscellaneous Sleep Tips

SLEEP: Brain Food for Students

Post author By Eric Hahn
Post date October 13, 2013
2 Comments on SLEEP: Brain Food for Students

If parents and students alike are curious about the effects of sleep on school performance, the answers are very clear. When a child – or an adult – does not get the proper amount of sleep then they are likely to do worse in overall achievements.

Many people use the term “brain food” when referring to meals or snacks that they enjoy during studying or other activities. However, while food is very important for the brain to function, and other parts of the body, it is imperative to get the rest that your body deserves. The food that out brain craves most is SLEEP!

The average teen needs about nine and a quarter hours of sleep each night to function at their highest level and many of them do not get it. In a recent study only 15% of teens attending school get the proper amount of rest needed. Going without a sufficient amount of sleep can influence a child’s mood in and out of the classroom. When a child wants to learn it will show and when a student is fantasizing about sleep in the middle of a chemistry class than they are more likely to spill the chemicals all over the place, or blow up the building than a student who has endured the proper amount of rest and is awake and ready to take on the world one chemistry experiment at a time. Now, while this example may seem a little extreme it does not deter from the fact that students grades are likely to suffer because of the lack of shuteye they may get throughout the week.

While these apprehensions about school performance are important what is most alarming is the quality of life of these students who do not meet an acceptable range of sleep each night. Many think that they can simply ‘catch up’ on overdue sleep when the weekend arrives and their assumptions are faulty because one is not sticking true to their internal biological clock that tells them when and when they should not be sleeping. The decrease in ambition and sound mind is even more prevalent in those involved in sports!

Athletes should be receiving the most sleep out of the student body and yet they are typically the ones that get the least. This is because sports programs tend to run into the evening and after all is said and done in that aspect of a students life they may struggle for many hours into the night on homework assignments that vary by the level of classes that they take. On the weekends these athletes are usually expected to rise and shine before the sun does and this can be hard on the persons physical and mental capabilities.

When a student is being awakened in the middle of a sleep cycle they tend to be more groggy and less open minded about the day ahead of them. This attitude follows them through their classes, their athletics, their jobs, and any other activities that they are accustomed to. Although many factors that contribute to this phenomena are somewhat social, a great deal are primarily biological.

Light can factor into the equation because when a body is surrounded by light the body knows not to produce a substantial amount of melatonin (Which is a key chemical produced by the brain that makes the body drowsy), this is due to the fact that in general our body’s are awake when the sun is shining and at rest when it is not. A good way to treat this is to TURN OFF THE LIGHTS!

Teens all over the world can take simple steps such as the one listed at the end of the previous paragraph. Others can include prioritizing sleep over social habits such as going onto Facebook or staying up late texting (when we are exposed to light-emitting screens we tend to feel less drowsy.) Perhaps taking a night off of your sports activities can help you get ahead on schoolwork that might have otherwise been put off because of athletics. This way you will be able to manage both your sports and studies for the rest of the week. School systems can do their part in assuring their students rest which would ultimately increase over passing rates for the school.

In a recent study it was shown that schools who had switched their start time from 7:15 to 8:40 reported a higher attendance rate and less students sleeping in class. Another statistic shown in this study was that the student depression rate went down! Is depression not something that teens especially must be careful about – what with all of their hormones raging inside of them all of the time!

These are all plausible ways to increase a students hours of rest, the best thing to do is to maintain a consistent bed time. With a persistent and rational sleep schedule your body will learn to adapt to everything else that it must endure throughout the day and the feelings of drowsiness and fatigue may not completely fade away, however, you will find that this will benefit your mood and behavior in many aspects of your life and your body and mind alike will thank you for it. Give it a try – it can’t hurt!

Tags college, school, sleeping, students

Environment Green Living Miscellaneous

Happy Birthday Agatha!

Happy Birthday Agatha!!!

For those of you who are not familiar with the above mentioned, let me take a second to guide you to the wonder that is: Agatha Hahn.

She was not always big and strong, like many others of her kind she started small and unrecognizable compared to the woman that she has grown to be. She has survived twenty odd years – battling the fierce cold of the winter months and enjoying the stifling humidity of the hot summer months (because here in Hampton Roads there is no in-between) – and has grown to embody what we all wish to be: well-balanced, strong, unchanging, and vibrant. With every gust of wind she sways slightly, and with every drop of sun she reaches toward the sky for a warm embrace. She is content in her solid roots, and she is smiling as the rain washes away her grime and nurtures her elegance.

What is she? You might ask at this point. Well she could be nothing other than…a PLANT! That’s right, Agatha is our familial plant that has overseen our company since the beginning. She has not only taken deep roots in our business family, but she has also been happy to grow with us – in our show room, in our backyard, in the sunshine, in the cold – and through thick and thin she has never left us (how could she?).

Not only has Agatha been there for us since the beginning she embodies everything that we aim for here at the Organic Comfort Zone. She is strong but compliant with the wishes of the wind (as we are with our consumers, if you want Extra fill in your pillow, we’ll hook you right up!), she is also Eco-friendly and a firm advocate of green living (no really, just look at her!). She is a mighty woman who is firmly rooted in the idea of getting down and dirty when the time comes (get it?), and most of all she provides a sense of comfort in an almost enigmatic way – like the grandmother who keeps on fighting.

Once we had left her out in the cold and when we thought she was on the edge of death we took her in and covered her in organic CozyPure blankets and showered her with love and encouragement. With nothing but her browning buds and her wits left, she pulled through and proved to us all that even in our darkest moments if there is a will to fight on there is a way. She also showed us not to mess with her again and claimed her place in the household as a true heroine of fate and standing over six foot four feet tall she has risen to the occasion of providing warmth and comfort more than once.

So happy birthday Agatha and congratulations on making it thus far with us, you are a real trooper and even on our dark days you cheer us up with your vivid leaves of green and branches of gold. You keep our chins up, reminding us that the sun will come out tomorrow – and you should know, because without it you would shrivel up.

Sincerely,

The OCZ family!

Tags eco-friendly, green living, happy birthday, Woman-Owned

Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Sleep Tips

How to Read a Book Comfortably Before Bedtime

Post author By Organic Comfort
Post date August 7, 2013
No Comments on How to Read a Book Comfortably Before Bedtime

This year’s Book Lovers Day is coming up on August 9th. We have been asking for comments on our blog about what do you like to read before going to sleep. We also asked readers to share how they get comfortable while reading. Here are our own tips on how to read comfortably no matter what time of the day it is.

Good Posture – You don’t want the hours you spend reading to end up giving you neck or back problems. Find a comfortable sitting position with good back support. Hold your book at an angle where you can read it easily but you are not going to feel sore when you get up afterward. Right before bed is a favorite time to indulge in a good book for many readers. While reading in bed might be cozy, you probably don’t want to do it for a protracted length of time. The same goes for working in bed on your computer.

Good lighting – Poor lighting while reading can cause eyestrain. Read your books in a properly lighted area. If you are reading in bed and don’t want to disturb your partner, try using a book light. When using a reading light, aim light over the shoulder opposite from the hand you are using to turn the pages, so your hand does not cast a shadow on the book. Set the light over your left shoulder if you are turning the pages with your right hand and vice-versa. You should also contrast lighting levels when reading. If you are using a bright reading lamp, turn on another light in the room to balance out lighting so there is not a stark contrast between a dark room and light from the lamp.

E-readers – E-reader devices are winning over legions of readers due to their convenience of carrying an entire book collection in slender device. Some E-readers use “digital paper” that displays text on an unlighted screen. Newer E-readers feature a backlit screen that use LED lights similar to laptop computers. LED screens eliminate the need for a booklight by illuminating the text you are reading. Sleep experts have expressed concern that E-readers and other tablet devices could throw off a reader’s circadian rhythms and contribute to sleep problems. You can adjust your e-reader’s settings brightness settings where you can read comfortably and reduce excessive glow.

Do you have some tips for staying comfortable while reading? Please share them! We want to hear from you!

Our Book Lover’s Day contest contest continues through August 30th. Leave a comment on our blog and you could win a grab-bag of books!

Tags book lovers day, reading, sleep health

Green Living Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Organic Mattress & Bedding

Keep Your Organic Mattress Clean and Dust Free

Post author By Organic Comfort
Post date July 16, 2013
1 Comment on Keep Your Organic Mattress Clean and Dust Free

Keeping your house clean and dust-free can go a long way to feeling and staying healthy. While you probably wipe and vacuum up the dust in your house from exposed surfaces and under your furniture, what about your mattress?

While a standard mattress can trap dust and also become a home for dust mites, the outside casing cover of a CozyPure® Performance mattress can be kept dust-free and clean with a few simple steps.

One important thing to remember is NOT to put your organic mattress casing in the washing machine. While you can toss your organic cotton sheets and blankets in the wash you can’t do the same with your organic mattress cover casing because it will tork and shrink. So how do you clean it?

The best way to clean your organic mattress casing is to remove the top panel by fully unzipping along the perimeter, then put it outside on a sunny day. The sunshine and fresh air will freshen it up and uses no energy except what the sun and fresh air produces. No chemicals whatsoever!

What if you have a stain on your mattress?

The best way to get out stains of our organic mattress covered casing or organic sheets is to spot clean with a mixture of water and white vinegar, maybe add a little lemon juice for a pleasant scent. For really nasty stains, try adding a little Dawn dishwashing liquid to the mixture. This creates an easy to make and eco-friendly homemade cleaner using simple ingredients that can help remove stains from your organic mattress cover. Just dab it on a clean cloth (or spray) and gently wipe the stain. Air-dry your mattress casing outside after you are done.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

Tags clean mattress fabric, clean your bedroom, mattress cleaning

Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Organic Mattress & Bedding Sleep Tips

Organic Bedding Can Help You Sleep Cooler During The Summer

Post author By Organic Comfort
Post date July 11, 2013
No Comments on Organic Bedding Can Help You Sleep Cooler During The Summer

It can be tough to get a good night sleep during the hot nights of the summer months. Air conditioning helps, but the wrong type of bedding can trap in too much body heat, requiring you to lower the thermostat to compensate and increasing your energy bill. Organic bedding made from breathable materials can keep you cooler than synthetic bedding during summer nights and help you get a more restful sleep.

Our CozyPure® organic cotton blankets and wool comforters are made from natural fibers, which breathe and allow your body heat to dissipate through increased airflow, unlike synthetic blend fabrics that trap heat and make you sweat.

For the summer months, you might want to try using a set of 100% organic cotton sheets – make sure there’s no polyester blend – because pure 100% cotton increases the airflow between your body and the outside air. Our CozyPure® Organic Cotton sheets offer a fresh environment for a comfortable sleep and are made with 100% GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton. You will get a cooler sleep…and a cleaner one! We use no synthetic blends, formaldehyde or chemicals.

What else can you do to keep cool during summer nights? Experts suggest you should try adjusting your thermostat in the evening and experiment with different settings to see which one works best for you. If the evening temperature is suitable, you can open a window and use an electric fan to increase airflow in your bedroom. Wearing organic cotton garments while sleeping will work with your organic bedding to increase airflow as well.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

Tags organic bedding, organic sheets, sleep cooler

Miscellaneous Organic Comfort Products & Sales

The Mattress for Athletes

Post author By Jamar Diggs
Post date April 11, 2013
No Comments on The Mattress for Athletes

The Mind of an Athlete: Play, Eat and Sleep… but What Are You Sleeping On?

If you are a true athlete you want to be the best. You eat healthy and get the correct amount of sleep, but did you ever realize that the mattress you sleep on everyday could be a reason why you don’t win your game? If you want to improve your performance evaluating your mattress is a great place to start. Ask yourself, is it performing the way you expect a top athlete? The Better Sleep Council recommends replacing your mattress if:

You wake up with stiffness, numbness, aches and pains
You had a better night’s sleep somewhere other than your own bed (such as a hotel)
Your mattress shows visible signs of overuse (sagging, lumps, exposed interior)
Your mattress is 5-7 years old

“Similar to your favorite old chair or worn pair of shoes, your mattress can still feel comfortable long after it has lost its ability to provide your body with the proper support and comfort it needs. Because sleep is so critical to our ability to function and feel our best, it is important to evaluate your sleep set on a regular basis.” — The Sleep Counsel

Few people are aware but regular mattresses can breed mold, mildew and dust mites causing moderate to severe allergic reactions for some people. In conventional mattresses, manufacturers use toxic chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), a class of synthetic chemicals as flame retardants. Disturbing concentrations of this chemical has been found in human blood and breast milk – a major human health concern.

With all the health risks of traditional mattresses it is common that athletes or highly active people try to find alternative sleep systems that will provide their body a safe, relaxed and optimum night’s sleep. Organic latex mattresses are the answer. They are resistant to dust mites, mold and mildew, and contains no PBDE’s. Instead, this organic latex sleep system uses natural wool or other plant based batting as a fire retardant. The consumer isn’t absorbing harmful chemicals or allergens; it is natural, safe and comfortable.

The 5-Zone Organic Latex Mattress

Some specialty organic mattress and bedding companies manufacture their product with the 5-Zone natural latex mattress. Unlike other mattresses it contains a core that divides into 5 comfort zones (Head, shoulders, lumbar, legs & feet). This extremely durable core will last for years along with giving you energy and making your sleep as comfortable as possible. When sleeping, your body should have the same alignment as if you were walking. The 5-Zone natural latex core helps the body achieve this recommended position.

Think of your body in 5 parts: Head, shoulders, lumbar, legs & feet. To perfectly align your spine you would want to target your shoulders and lumbar region. Your shoulders are a large bony structure, but are not as heavy as the lumbar region which holds your stomach, hips and bottom. The 5-Zone is designed to support those heavier areas of the body while still being comfortable. Each zone has a different ILD (Indentation Load Density) giving each section of latex the correct level of density that will keep you body aligned with your spine. This means that the mattress is firmer near your lumbar area than your shoulders, head and legs.

Keeping your body healthy is the highest priority to an athlete. What better way to keep your body healthy than to protect what your body needs the most…SLEEP. Choosing an organic latex mattress is the best way to ensure your body is at its optimum performance for game day.

Have questions? Call one of our sleep specialists at 800.229.7571. We would love to assist you with finding the correct mattress that fits your needs.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jamar Diggs is a PR Communications and Social Media team member for Norfolk, VA based business Organic Comfort Zone, manufacturers of CozyPure organic bedding and mattress. For more information visit organiccomfortzone.com or cozypure.com or call 757.480.8500.

Tags 5 zone mattress core, athletic mattress, natural latex mattress, organic mattress, sports mattress

Miscellaneous Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding

How To Unroll Your CozyPure LaNoodle Cuddle Top Latex Mattress Topper [VIDEO]

Post author By Jamar Diggs
Post date January 3, 2013
No Comments on How To Unroll Your CozyPure LaNoodle Cuddle Top Latex Mattress Topper [VIDEO]

Costumers sometimes call and ask why their LaNoodles in their LaNoodle Cuddle Topper are not evenly spread out. Answer is most of the time the solution is something as little as watching the way you unroll the topper on your mattress. Sometimes when customers receive their topper they are excited and pick it up by one corner. When this happens the LaNoodles will bunch up and leave your topper empty in some places.

In this video Patti explains the proper way to set your CozyPure LaNoodle Cuddle Top Latex Topper on your mattress.

1. Remove bed sheets and place your CozyPure LaNoodle Cuddle Top at the foot of your mattress so that when it’s untied it will roll forward.

2. Untie the cotton bands and carefully roll it towards the headboard.

3. Gently smooth your hands over the surface to evenly disperse the LaNoodles.

4. Place fitted sheets over the top of your Cuddle Top to protect it and help keep it in place.

5. To remove, we recommend following directions in reverse (roll your Cuddle Top for transport).

Repeat step 3 each week when changing your linens (gently smooth and disperse the LaNoodles). Do not place in washer or dryer. If necessary, spot clean spills and stains.

For more information visit ?CozyPure.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Tags LaNoodle, LaNoodle Topper, Latex Mattress topper, organic bedding

Miscellaneous

What is Sleep Apnea?

Does your partner complain about you snoring in bed? Look no further than your own pillow. Pillows that do not support your head and neck correctly can result in your airway to collapse or become blocked during sleep, causing pauses in breathing. This is a common disorder called Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea is when you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breathes while you sleep.

Sometimes regular pillows are too soft for those with Sleep Apnea. The soft pillow is not as effective in neck and head support. Pillows like the CozyPure Pure Performance pillow allows you to make your pillow as firm or soft as you want. The versatile Pure Performance pillow is filled with our 100% natural latex noodles (LaNoodles) made for our sleepers with special needs.

Most people who have sleep apnea don’t know they have it because it only occurs during sleep. A family member or bed partner might be the first to notice signs of sleep apnea. The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep. This causes shallow breathing or breathing pauses. When you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can cause loud snoring.

Untreated sleep apnea can:

Increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, obesity, and diabetes
Increase the risk of, or worsen, heart failure
Make arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, more likely increase the chance of having work-related or driving accidents

This common disorder is one of many obstacles that prevent a good nights sleep for others worldwide. Please see your physician for questions about possible treatment. In the meantime, be sure your pillow is properly supporting your needs.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________