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Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous

Answers to “Where do you put your cell phone when going to bed?”

Following up with our previous blog post about sleeping with cell phones and why it isn’t a good idea, we
decided to poll the sleep snobs at CozyPure and see what their nightly routine is when it comes to “putting
their phone to bed.”

Here are the individual responses, to the question, “Where do you put your cell phone when going to bed?”

  • Cheryl – “I place mine on the bottom of the nightstand with a shirt over it so that the light will not distract me. I also have notifications turned off – the only sound that is on is the actual ringer. I started sleeping with it in the bedroom when my daughter left for college in case she needed to call. Before that I didn’t even bring it in to the bedroom at night. Sometimes I will listen to sleep/meditation music on youtube but I still keep it covered.”
  • Troy – “Wherever it ends up. I don’t really pay much attention to where it is when I go to bed. It just stays wherever I last used it.”
  • Susan – “I plug it in to charge in the bathroom in my bedroom. This way the light does not disturb my sleep but I can hear it if I get a call.”
  • Diane – “I plug it in on the nightstand.” We are going to have to make her read the last blog post!
  • Debbie – “Just wherever.” Debbie is our newest team member, she’ll learn to talk more to survive!
  • Sherry – “On the nightstand, on silent.” That’s a no-no, Sherry.
  • Cris – “In my purse on the floor because it is not good to have it on the nightstand.” Cris is a seasoned sleep snob.
  • Angela – “It is always on silent and usually on the floor beside the bed, although I’m guilty of falling asleep while scrolling through Facebook. How else will I know who to vote for?”
  • Hans – “In the other room, on the charger.” Perfect!
  • Rudy – “I just plug it in to charge on my nightstand.  If it rings, sometimes I answer it and sometimes I ignore it.”
  • TJ – “On the nightstand charging with the volume sky high. I want to make sure I don’t miss anything.” TJ is a popular guy!

Although research shows that a high percentage of people go to bed with their phones, we are not the norm (but we already knew that). Maybe it is because we all have such a love affair with our CozyPure mattress that we embrace sleep or maybe it is just because we are educated on all matters sleep related. Whatever the reason, I am glad to report that no one at CozyPure sleeps with their phone.

Coming soon: It claims to be organic. What does that really mean?

Categories
Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Organic Mattress & Bedding Sleep Tips

Sleeping With Your Smart Phone May Not Be So Smart

There are articles in the news every day about sleep – how to get more of it, why it is crucial, how to do it better, ways to enhance it – it’s how we spend a third of our life. In a The-Sleep-Revolutionrecent article “Book Talk: The Sleep Revolution,” on Washington Life Magazine’s website, Erica Moody talks with author Arianna Huffington about her book, “The Sleep Revolution.”

From the article, “In 2014, people around the world spent a staggering $58 billion on sleep-aid products, a figure projected to rise to $76.7 billion by 2019, author Arianna Huffington says. Not only do many Americans not get enough sleep; when they do try to sleep, an increasing number are relying on pills to get there. When Huffington herself collapsed from “sleep deprivation, exhaustion and burnout” in 2007, she decided to do something about the issue. Her fascinating, accessible and necessary book “The Sleep Revolution” (Harmony Books) delves into the current crisis, the history of how we got there, the science of sleep and how we can begin to change the role of sleep in our lives.”

The article includes a question and answer session with the author addressing key points from the book. One topic that is discussed is that of “unplugging” and how our phones keep us up at night. This is a topic I see often in sleep news. Not only are we so accustomed to staying connected via our smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc., social media provides an outlet for us to waste precious time that could otherwise be spent sleeping. The author suggests that sleeping with your smart phone may not be so smart.  Rather putting our phones “to bed” in another room will allow us to sleep better. I know that having my phone on my nightstand is a horrible idea. Not only am I distracted when it lights up, buzzes or dings, I can’t always resist the urge to check social media one last time or type out one more email or listen to one more song. Going to sleep without your phone is not only a good way to get to sleep faster it also gives your mind a much needed break from the constant communication to which we’ve become accustomed.phone on bed
Katy Hall, Managing Features Editor, Huffington Post, cites in her 2013 article, “How Mobile Phones Affect Sleep,” a study concluding sleeping near our phones also has negative physical implications even if we don’t touch it. “If your phone wakes you up in the morning, it may also be keeping you up at night. A 2008 study funded by major mobile phone makers themselves showed that people exposed to mobile radiation took longer to fall asleep and spent less time in deep sleep.” Her article also discusses the aforementioned “need” to stay connected and how it is costing us valuable sleep. An additional resource cited in this article indicates that “nearly three-quarters of young people fall asleep each night with their phones within reach.”  We may all have a hard time convincing a teenager that they will actually live through the night without their phone but  it really is a habit to be discouraged.  Older (and wiser) cell phone users may be easier to convince that “unplugging” for eight hours each night may be well worth it.

There is plenty of research, articles and books that discuss healthy sleep habits.  Taking a break from your electrical devices is certainly a step in the right direction.  Once you break that habit, take the time to research the importance of the materials you are sleeping on.  Many mattresses and bedding materials are just as full of junk as your social media.  Sleeping on natural latex and using organic bedding not only provides better, but a more healthful, sleep!

Coming soon – How “smart” are the sleep snobs at CozyPure?  We know about a good mattress but where are our cell phones when we are sleeping?  I’m going to poll our staff…

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Eco-Tips Environment Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Natural Fibers Natural Home Organic Apparel & Textiles Organic Clothing Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding Sleep Tips

Dear Sleep Diary

For those of you who can not get to sleep at night, or who have an incredibly hard time doing it, a sleep diary might not be such a bad idea. You see, the pros of a sleep diary include getting to know when and how you are falling asleep each night, what you might be doing during the day that is keeping you from sleeping, and it can help you figure out what you could do in order to attain a good nights sleep.

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1. Buy a journal. You can pick one up anywhere – Walgreens, Target, anywhere…

2. Get your hands on a pen or a pencil. Again, you can get these items anywhere.

3. First, figure out what time you woke up, and jot it down in your journal. You might find that if you’re sleeping in too late then you might have a harder time getting to bed early.

4. Now think about what time you went to bed last night. If you have to wake up early, you might want to consider getting to bed earlier if you aren’t already.

5. What did you do before you went to bed. Do you have any specific routines? Perhaps reading a book or taking a bath will be able to put you to sleep for the night, and help to turn off your mind.

6. How long before your bedtime did you eat and what was it. Sometimes a glass of milk and a PB&J sandwich will help settle your stomach, sometimes a shot of Vodka can upset it. Remember, coffee before bed might not be the best idea.

7. How active is your lifestyle? Do you exercise often? If you do, how long before bed do you exercise? Remember that our bodies need exercise to keep us healthy, just try and make sure you aren’t doing it right before bed because it will get all your blood pumping and your heart racing and you’ll find yourself feeling as if you have just downed a cup of coffee.

8. Did you wake up during the night at all? If so, for how long? How many times? Perhaps you suffer from a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea that should be checked out by a doctor.

9. What kind of mattress are you sleeping on? Is it springy and broken down? Maybe its time to purchase a new one, one that will last for over ten years. Remember, you spend a good third of your life on your mattress, so you’re going to want to get a decent one to snuggle up with. Think of choosing your mattress and bedding like you are choosing your spouse, you want it to be reliable, and you want it to be there for you, ready to cuddle up with at the end of a long day.

Besides helping one figure out what they might be doing wrong in terms of falling asleep, a sleep diary is also efficient in helping reproduce one’s dreams. The first thing that you must do upon waking up in the morning is to jot down whatever comes to mind about the dreams that you had last night. As time goes on, you’ll find that it is getting easier and easier to remember your dreams, and as more and more time goes on you might find yourself able to control your dreams better.

So, there are multiple reasons to keep a sleep diary, and now you can go out and try it for yourself. Good luck and goodnight!

cuddling-article

Categories
Green Living Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous

Best And Worst Foods For Your Sleep

We’ve all had those nights of tossing and turning for hours before finally falling asleep. Those nights are certainly unpleasant when one has to awake early on the next morning. Well, I’ve posted in the past about how music can aid in falling asleep, and how reducing your exposure to light in the hour before bed can also benefit you. I have also ranted about eating well and I’ve given tips and lists of what food to eat and what foods might be best during the winter time. So I decided to combine the two and figure out which foods might be best to consume before going to bed.

milk-and-glass

1. Milk (or other various dairy products) is rich with calcium and research shows that calcium deficiency can make it hard to fall asleep at night.

2. Fish contains vitamin B6 which aids in creating melatonin.

3. Poultry, because like most Americans know, one unbuttons their pants and takes a nap after feasting upon a feast of  poultry (i.e. Thanksgiving).

4. Cherries contain melatonin in them, so munching on a few of those, or drinking some tart cherry juice, should get the job done.

5. Fortified Cereal because carbohydrates are great for sleep.

6. Bananas contain muscle relaxants magnesium and potassium, which help you, well, relax.

7. Sweet potatoes contain both carbohydrates and potassium.

8. Tea, when decaffeinated, is great for hitting the sack because some blends, such as chamomile, can increase drowsiness.

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Now that we have gone over some of the better foods to snack on before bed or possibly incorporate into dinner, lets review some of the foods that can keep you up at night.

1. Anything too spicy, like salsa or curry, can keep you awake at night, burning for something to drink.

2. Chocolate contains both high calories and caffeine, which are both counterproductive in the sleep process.

3. Coffee, even when decaffeinated contains some amount of caffeine and also dehydrates ones body to a degree, making falling asleep a task.

4. Alcohol disturbs the body’s natural sleep cycle.

5. Fat, in fatty foods such as beef or pork, are terrible for sleep, and they can totally kill your vibe, and figure.

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So there you have it, a list of foods that are both nutritious and delicious, and great sleep aids. You also have a mental picture of what to refrain from before bedtime, and in some cases, altogether. Now that winter is coming into full swing it might help to cuddle up next to the fire with a hot cup of tea, or get cozy underneath a warm wool comforter with a soothing glass of milk.

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
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.
                                            eco-wool-Haven
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.

organic-cotton-Heirloom-bed-63844_186x186

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!

 


eric-SAT-picEric 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.



		
Categories
Healthy Lifestyles Natural Bedroom Natural Home Organic Comfort Organic Mattress & Bedding

Cool Your Head While Sleeping – Use an Organic Pillow

Does a hot head prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep?

Having to flip your pillow over in search of that elusive cool spot is more than just uncomfortable, experts say it can contribute to insomnia and cause you to miss out on precious sleep time. This can be an even bigger problem during the summer months. Even with air conditioning, the wrong type of pillow can make your head feel hot and sweaty.

While an organic pillow can’t cure insomnia, a pillow made from organic cotton and latex can help lower the heat around your head and give you a better chance to get a good night’s sleep.

One example is the CozyPure® Pure Performance Pillow, made from a silky soft organic cotton sateen fabric. Our 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric is breathable, offering more airflow and a cooler sleep than synthetic blend pillows and allowing body heat to dissipate easily.

Inside the CozyPure® Pure Performance Pillow are pure latex noodles. Pure latex does not retain heat in the same way blended foams or synthetic batting do. The spaces between the latex noodles also assist with airflow and cooling your head. They also provide support, to cradle your head and neck for individual comfort.

Organic cotton fabrics combined with pure natural fillings provide the ultimate in sleep quality and comfort.

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

Categories
Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom Sleep Tips

Benefits of A Good Nights Sleep

Have you ever had days when you just can’t remember things? When it’s hard to even add something as simple as 2+2? It’s time to consider that sleep could be your problem.

Sleep is very important in our everyday life. After a good nights sleep your thoughts are clearer, and your emotions are less fragile. Without adequate sleep, judgement, mood and ability to learn and retain information are weakened. Achieving restful sleep begins with keeping a consistent sleep schedule and creating a bedroom environment that promotes relaxation starting with your mattress. Your mattress and sheets can contribute to a better sleep. Using fibers such as polyester can overheat your body at night and make you feel uncomfortable. Natural fibers like cotton and pure wool wicks your body’s moisture causing you to stay  a little cooler so you can sleep better through the night. Don’t forget coverings such as blankets and even your pajamas which should also be made from natural fibers to help contribute to better sleep.

Sleeping helps repair your body. It produces extra protein molecules while you are sleeping that helps fight infection to keep you healthy. These molecules help your immune system repair your body cells when you are stressed or have been exposed to harsh elements such as pollutants and infectious bacteria.

Having a good nights sleep can help lower blood pressure and elevated levels of stress hormones. High blood pressure can be life threatening  and the physical effects of stress can produce “wear and tear” on your body  and degenerate cells. Sleep helps to slow these effects and encourages a state of relaxation.

Improved memory is also a result of better sleep. When you don’t have enough sleep it gets difficult to concentrate. This can lead to memory problems with faces, facts, lessons, or even conversations. Sleeping well eliminates these because as you sleep your brain is busy organizing and correlating memories.

If you are trying to loose a few pounds remember food and exercise  are not the only things that you have to control, sleep is also an important factor. Sleep helps regulate the hormones that affect and control your appetite. When your body is deprived of sleep, the normal balance is interrupted and your appetite increases.

Getting a good nights sleep is a great way to ensure that your day will be just a little better. Remember, your body needs sleep just as much as it needs food.

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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.

 

Categories
Healthy Lifestyles Miscellaneous Natural Bedroom

Sleep Tips for A Better Nights Sleep

Do you toss and turn every night? There are a lot of factors that interfere with a good nights sleep. It could be pressure from work and family to relationship issues and illness. We can’t always control the factors that ruin our sleep but adopting habits that encourage a good nights rest is a great place to start.

Try sticking to a sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same times even on weekends and holidays help your body’s sleep-wake cycle. If you don’t fall asleep within about 15 minutes get up and do something relaxing and go back to bed when you are tired.

Watch what you eat and drink. Don’t go to bed hungry or stuffed. Your discomfort could keep you up. Reduce the amount you drink before going to sleep to decrease middle of the night bathroom runs.

Creating a bedtime ritual is an easy way to tell your body when its time to wind down. You could read a book, listen to calming music, take a bath. Doing relaxing activities before bed create an easier transition to becoming drowsy.

Create your room ideal for sleeping.  Make your room cool, dark and quiet. Try using room darkening shades, a fan, earplugs or other items that can create your ideal sleep environment. Your mattress and sheets can contribute to a better sleep. Using fibers such as polyester can overheat your body at night and make you feel uncomfortable. Natural fibers like cotton and pure wool wicks your body’s moisture causing you to stay  a little cooler so you can sleep better through the night. Don’t forget coverings such as blankets and even your pajamas which should also be made from natural fibers to help contribute to better sleep.

Limiting daytime naps will help you get a good nights sleep especially if your struggle with insomnia or poor sleep quality. If you choose to nap, limit yourself to about 10-30 minutes during the mid-afternoon.

Include physical activity in your daily routine. Regular physical activity promotes better sleep, helping you fall asleep faster and to enjoy a deeper sleep. Make sure to exercise earlier in the day. If your exercise before bed you may be too energized to sleep.

When you have many things to do and think about – your sleep suffers. Consider healthy ways to handle stress. Start by getting organized, delegating tasks and setting priorities. Take a break when you need one. Before bed, quickly write down what’s on your mind and save it for tomorrow.

Hopefully with these tips you are able to receive the best sleep you deserve and wake up a little less crabby. If you have trouble sleeping often, contact your physician. Finding and treating an underlying cause may also contribute to a better sleep for you.

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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.