Quality Sleep and the Wellness Home
This year's theme “Begin with Sleep” highlights the importance of good sleep health for individuals to best achieve their personal, family, and professional goals.
"Sleep’s the only medicine that gives ease.” Sophocles
Quality Sleep is a foundational component of the Nikken Wellness Home.
Coincidentally as I write this blog the National Sleep Foundation in celebrating its annual Sleep Awareness Week, March 11 to 17,2018. This year's theme “Begin with Sleep” highlights the importance of good sleep health for individuals to best achieve their personal, family, and professional goals. Today, March 16th, is World Sleep Day. Its goal is to celebrate the benefits of good and healthy sleep and to draw society's attention to the burden of poor sleep.
We have previously blogged about sleep and its importance to our health. Sleep is the single activity that we spend the most time doing in our lifetimes. We spend one-third of our lives asleep and for good reason. William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is one of the world's leading authorities on sleep. He is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. To quote Dr. Dement, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.” Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley agrees, "I used to suggest that sleep is the third pillar of good health, along with diet and exercise, but I don't agree with that anymore. Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body for health."
We need sleep to be heathy, happy and productive. Without it we suffer consequences both physically and mentally. Sleep is the most important determinant to being healthy by choice, so, choose to get enough quality sleep. Sleep Matters.
Sleep is not only about how many hours we sleep, but more importantly about quality of sleep that we are receiving. A significant component of sleep quality is dependent on our sleep environment. For that reason, the foundation of the Nikken Wellness Home and our personal choice, is the Nikken Kenko Sleep System. It uses natural materials and simple principles to create Adaptive Sleep Technology. This includes, self-regulating temperature control, advanced magnetic technology and passive massage to provide a natural, relaxing sleep environment to for a deep restful, rejuvenating sleep.
Naturest® Mattress Topper
The system includes three main components, the Nikken Naturest® Mattress Topper with a KenkoDream™ Comforter and the Kenko Naturest® Custom Pillow. Each component contains advanced technology and materials to improve sleep quality. The Nikken Naturest® Mattress Topper features a design that has no springs. Its construction forms itself to body contours. This prevents the formation of pressure points (feeling to heavy in one spot that often precipitates tossing and turning) that can interrupt sleep and prevents us from attaining optimal rest. The natural latex foundation is firm yet comfortable, and resists sagging. This support system combines advanced scientific technology and natural materials in a design that promotes healthy and refreshing sleep. An impressive merger of two very different design principles, Naturest features advanced sleep innovations, including a revolutionary new design in magnetic technology, seen nowhere else — and traditional materials that are not only environmentally responsible but help you sleep soundly and wake feeling refreshed and energized. After trying the Kenko Naturest Mattress Topper, you’ll never want to sleep without it.
Kenko Dream Comforter
A perfect balance of comfort for all climates, the Kenko Dream® Comforter combines revolutionary technology and the finest materials allow better rest. Ceramic-reflecting fibers help regulate temperatures to keep you warm or cool and is designed for all-season use. Chitocotton, another innovation, contains chitosan to help fibers retain a clean, fresh scent. A magnetic layer completes the cocoon effect with ceramic-reflective fibers that help to release heat and maintain a comfortable temperature. The breathable cover provides ventilation and releases excess heat for comfort and is finished in an elegant, satiny weave that dresses up your bed.
Kenko Naturest® Custom Pillow
Inside the Kenko Naturest® Custom Pillow is a special filler of rolled natural latex. It’s designed so that you remove or replace filler to achieve the desired degree of firmness —your personal perfect fit. The latex is especially resilient, so it resists being compressed flat, unlike a down or foam pillow. A head and neck insert helps provide correct spinal alignment. The pillow cover is a natural, breathable cotton blend. Deep within the Custom Pillow is patented DynaFlux® Magnetic Technology, a series of magnets arranged to surround you in a cocoon of magnetism.
Nikken Kenko Sleep products are made in the USA.
Regular sleep on a Kenko Sleep System can contribute to improved learning ability and decision-making abilities, improved memory, alertness and increased mental acuity. Quality sleep supports physical health including improved immune system function, better ability to resist premature aging, increased ability to resist stress, and better-regulated hormone production that can help prevent weight gain or obesity.
Sleep Matters and is a vital component of every Wellness Home. Get at least 7.5 to 9 hours of quality sleep per night with the Nikken Kenko Sleep System and BE HEALTHY BY CHOICE, NOT BY CHANCE.
Sleep for Better Health
Stop doing other activities so you get the sleep you need. I realize that this is not easy for many of us, but give it a try and you will see that with more and better quality of sleep your mood, effectiveness and productivity will improve.
Sleep for Better Health
“Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together”
Like many others, getting enough sleep and good quality sleep was one issue that was very difficult for me through much of my adult life. My sleep was often interrupted with thoughts, projects or just that flood of ideas that ran through my head preventing me from going to sleep. Once asleep, (if I really was?), I would wake up every few hours and look at the clock. Doze and look at the clock became what I considered to be a normal sleep pattern for me. From a personal standpoint, my perception of sleep was that it seemed like a waste of valuable time. A non-productive part of my day. Not until my mid-40’s did I take heed of what I knew about sleep to be healthy by choice.
In our fast paced, highly productive lives, we often sacrifice sleep for other activities. This is due in part to this perception of sleep as a non-productive endeavor, when from a physiological and health standpoint it is the most productive time of our day. Work that must be completed, a project that just must be finished, studying for that mid-term, getting up an hour early to exercise or miss that rush hour traffic on the way to work are a few of many reasons we rationalize not sleeping but for the most part it is our perception of sleep. Sleep is anything but a waste of time. While many people think of sleeping as the body “shutting off” until morning, nodding off activates an organized, complex process to help you feel rested and healthy the next day.
Until the 1950s, most people thought of sleep as a passive, dormant part of our daily lives. William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is the world's leading authority on sleep. For this pioneering work in a previously uncharted field, he is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. To quote Dr. Dement, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the most single important determinant on predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.”
"I used to suggest that sleep is the third pillar of good health, along with diet and exercise," says Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. "But I don't agree with that anymore. Sleep is the single most effective thing you can do to reset your brain and body for health."
In a 2015 CNN documentary Sleep with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, he states, “If you have an extra hour in the day to exercise, you would be well advised to use that hour for sleep, as it will provide more health benefits.”
Given all the scientific evidence to the importance and benefits of a good night’s sleep we are a sleep-sick society, ignorant of the facts of sleep and the price of sleep deficiency.
It is estimated that nearly 70% of American’s do not get adequate sleep. National Institute of Heath research studies on sleep state that the average American gets less than 7 hours of sleep per night. Cognitive performance after less than six hours of sleep is equivalent to getting no sleep for 48 straight hours. Cognitive performance relates to mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning.
Sleep Deprivation Statistics from the American Sleep Association:
37% of 20-39 year-olds report short sleep duration
40% of 40-59 year-olds report short sleep duration
35.3% adults report <7 hours of sleep during a typical 24-hour period.
A good read on the importance of sleep and ways to get a better night’s sleep are elucidated in Dr. Dement’s book The Promise of Sleep.
One thing I do and suggest others do is to make sleep a priority. It may sound funny, but schedule sleep like any other daily activity, so put it on your "to-do list" and cross it off every night. Don’t make sleep the thing you do only after everything else is done. Stop doing other activities so you get the sleep you need. I realize that this is not easy for many of us, but give it a try and you will see that with more and better quality of sleep your mood, effectiveness and productivity will improve.
Sleep Matters and getting enough sleep is one way that we all can be healthier, more productive and happier.
Tips for a better night's sleep:
- Stick to a sleep schedule, even on weekends.
- Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual.
- Exercise daily.
- Evaluate your bedroom to ensure ideal temperature, sound and light.
- Beware of hidden sleep stealers, like alcohol and caffeine.
- Turn off electronics before bed. Avoid reading on electronic devices.
- Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
Healthy Sleep System
Since you spend a third of your life sleeping it is as important to choose healthy bedding as it is you living room couch and matching drapes. . “Most mattresses contain a petroleum-based polyurethane foam and flame retardants that release volatile organic compounds, which can pollute your bedroom air, irritate your respiratory system, and cause skin problems and other allergies,” saysTasha Stoiber, EWG senior scientist. Stoiber’s tips:
Look for natural materials: Choose a mattress that include at least 95 percent organic content, such as cotton, wool, or natural latex.
Avoid fire retardants: Chlorinated Tris, a chemical flame retardant commonly found in mattresses, sleeping mats, pillows, and futons, is a known neurotoxin and carcinogen.
Wash and cover: “When you’re tossing and turning in bed, you can stir up a lot of dust in your mattress that can potentially cause allergy issues. It’s important to frequently launder your bedding, and vacuum your mattress once in a while.” Also, use a mattress cover, preferably one made of tightly-woven, organic cotton, to avoid dust mites.
Steer clear of additives: Mattresses and toppers treated with antimicrobial solutions and added scents can contain hidden carcinogens.
I recommend a visit to our Kenko Sleep Shop for the best in healthy choice sleep.
Sleep is an essential physiological process.
Get 8 hours a night of good quality sleep. It’s one way to be Healthy by Choice.
“Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year olds”
Fight Sleep Deficiency with Healthy Choices
Chronic sleep deficiency is a problem for many people. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) more than a third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Is this you? We can help.
Sleep Deficiency
Chronic sleep deficiency is a problem for many people. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) more than a third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. Lack of sleep can have serious impacts on our health. Glucose metabolism declines 30-40% resulting in weight gain and a larger waistline. We become fatigued faster than when we have a full night’s sleep. Two days with sleep restriction leads to a threefold increase of lapse in attention and reaction to situations. Sleep insufficiency is linked to motor vehicle crashes, industrial disasters, and medical and other occupational errors. Unintentionally falling asleep, nodding off while driving, and having difficulty performing daily tasks because of sleepiness contribute to these hazardous outcomes. Persons experiencing sleep insufficiency are also more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity, as well as cancer, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life and productivity. Sleep deficiency may be caused by broad scale societal factors such as round-the-clock access to technology and work schedules, but sleep disorders such as insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea also play an important role. An estimated 50-70 million US adults have sleep or wakefulness disorders.
Cognitive performance after less than six hours of sleep is equivalent to getting no sleep for 48 straight hours. Cognitive performance relates to mental processes of perception, memory, judgment, and reasoning.
A 2017 study commissioned by the University of Washington Health Sciences concluded chronic sleep deprivation suppresses the immune system. Simply stated, people get sick more often when they don’t get enough sleep. Dr. Nathaniel Watson, co-director of the UW Medicine Sleep Center at Harborview Medical Center states, “What we show is that the immune system functions best when it gets enough sleep. Seven or more hours of sleep is recommended for optimal health.”
How Much Sleep Do We Need and are We Getting Enough?
How much sleep we need varies between individuals but generally changes with age. The National Institutes of Health suggests that school-age children need at least 10 hours of sleep daily, teens need 9-10 hours, and adults need 7-8 hours.
“Sleep is the most under-appreciated health crisis in America,” states Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of “The Dr. Oz Show”. In conjunction with ResMed, Dr. Oz and ResMed gathered sleep statistics from 20,000 people representing over 1.5 million nights’ worth of sleep. Their findings demonstrate that sleep is chronically neglected by most Americans.
Observations from the data collected includes:
79% of the population sleeps less than the 7 hours recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine – Most Americans sleep one hour less. To put this in context, a recent study by AAA reported that sleeping as little as one hour less than recommended doubles the risk of a traffic accident.
Women sleep longer than men – Men average 5 hours, 45 minutes, while women average 6 hours, 9 minutes.
On average, Americans go to bed at 10:21 pm and wake up at 7:41 am. People in the Pacific time zone go to bed the latest, at 11:17 p.m., and people in the Eastern time zone wake up the earliest at 7:40 a.m.
Exercise is good for sleep – Any amount is helpful, but the optimal amount is 30 minutes, which correlates with 14 minutes of extra sleep per night.
Caffeine – Three or fewer cups of coffee didn’t notably affect average sleep time, but those who drank four cups or more slept 26 minutes less.
Alcohol – Those who had one or two drinks slept an average of 16 minutes more than people who had more than two drinks – or none.
Children can be both good and bad for sleep – Men with 0-1 children get the most sleep, and women with 2-3 children get the most sleep. Having more children seems to impact men more – they lose 45 minutes of sleep per night with 4 or more children, whereas women with 4 or more children only lose 25 minutes.
Mattresses matter –The type of mattress people sleep on appears to make an average difference of 20 minutes sleep per night.
Common sleep problems – Excessive fatigue during the day and taking too long to fall asleep were the most common reported issues. Waking up in the middle of the night is also a major problem for many Americans.
Sleep aids – 50% of study participants reported using a mix of two or more sleep aids per night, such as prescription medications, over the counter sleeping pills and herbal remedies/food supplements for sleep.
Sleep is an essential physiological process, but in our fast paced, highly productive lives, we often sacrifice sleep for other activities. This is due in part to our perception of sleep as a non-productive endeavor, when from a physiological and health standpoint it is our most productive time of our day.
William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is the one of the world’s leading scientists on sleep. For this pioneering work in a previously uncharted field, he is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. Dr. Dement states, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the single most important determinant in predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.”
Sleep Matters and getting enough sleep is one way that we all can be healthier, more productive and happier.
Tips for a better night's sleep:
Stick to a sleep schedule, even on weekends.
Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual.
Exercise daily.
Evaluate your bedroom to ensure ideal temperature, sound and light.
Beware of hidden sleep stealers, like alcohol and caffeine.
Turn off electronics before bed.
Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
Get 8 hours a night of good quality sleep. It’s one way to be Healthy by Choice. Sweet Dreams.
Be Healthy by Choice and not by Chance
The Beginning of Discovery
For those of you that have been following Self Care and our subject matter, you might ask as I did, what is there to be skeptical about?
Skeptical or Cynical?
Following a recent event where I was speaking, I was approached by a woman who said she really enjoyed the Self Care Awakening talk I had given. I thanked her and asked if she had questions about the information presented. She responded with, the information was very good, but that she was a very skeptical person. For those of you that have been following Self Care and our subject matter, you might ask as I did, what is there to be skeptical about? Thankfully the teacher in me surfaced and I really wanted to know if she was skeptical or cynical. I have no issue with skepticism as it is a very important part of the discovery process. It’s easy to confuse being a skeptic with being a cynic The word skeptic is derived from the Greek skeptikos, meaning “to inquire” or “look around.”, which is a good thing. I do take issue with a cynic, who distrusts anything that is contrary to their belief. The first thing I had to ascertain before continuing the conversation was if I was talking to skeptical or cynical individual. As the conversation continued it became apparent that she was skeptical and looking for more information to help her process the Self Care Awakening. We talked about each of the subjects that I had just presented.
Water Matters
I asked our guest if she was skeptical about being well hydrated and if drinking enough water each day to counter balance our daily loss of water (about 10 cups) was a good idea. I referred her to “Down the Hatch”
Sleep Matters
Was she skeptical that sleep matters and we need 7.5 to 9 hours sleep a night to avoid sleep debt? That lack of quality sleep can adversely effect our health and that sleep is our most important part of our day. Referencing What Sweet Dreams are Made of…
Weight Matters
Might it be a good idea to have some measure of how much sugar we are consuming daily? And that it might be a good idea to limit that consumption to a healthy level. Self Care Defense 101: Hidden Sugar
Environmental Toxicity and Pollution in People
Was she skeptical that we live in a toxic world and that accumulation of these toxic chemicals could influence our health? Might it be a good idea to filter our air, drinking water, bathing water and take steps through good sleep, proper hydration and limiting processed foods to lower our internal pollution, our Body Burden. The Body Burden
These may sound like simple steps to be Healthy by Choice, but sometimes the simplest ideas have the greatest skepticism. Welcome the skeptic and provide the information so they can take the next step to be Healthy by Choice. None of us can afford to be cynical enough to leave our Health to Chance.
author: Gary Lindner, Ph.D.
The Body Burden
The term body burden was first coined in the early 2000’s. It is defined as, the total amount of a chemical present in a human's or animal's body, typically a radioactive element or other toxic substance. This can include anything from dangerous metals like lead or mercury, to pesticides and herbicides, unsafe food additives, BPA’s from plastics just to name a few.
Environmental Toxins and Pollution in People
I think we all agree that the world is a toxic place. There are over 85,000 chemicals in the marketplace and we come in contact with them in one way or another every day.
There is no such thing as a pristine environment. Toxins are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. They are in the homes we live in and the offices we work. They are present in our children’s schools. They are prevalent in our personal care and cleaning products.
Decades of research and countless studies have contributed to our understanding that we carry a burden of toxic chemicals in our body’s, our Body Burden.
It has been over 35 years since the September 22, 1980 Time Magazine cover story entitled “The Poisoning of America” was published. So, this is not a new problem and it is something we have all been aware of for a long time. The question I like to ask is; has this problem gotten better or worse? It’s gotten worse, exponentially worse.
It has been said every 5 years there are 10,000 new chemicals in the market place that weren’t here 5 years ago. That equates to over 5 new chemicals per day!
Dr. Stewart Lonky and biochemist Rik Deitsch point out in their book, Invisible Killers, that the body burden of toxins today is significantly higher than it was 20 years ago, 40 years ago, 60 years ago. There appears to be a tipping point in your body above which the accumulation of toxins begins to interpret into disease. We don’t die from infectious disease anymore, but more childhood diseases, lymphomas, brain tumors and more adults with cancer. All of these diseases appear to be related to these toxic exposures. They go on to state that to turn your back on this is to turn your back on the obvious.
Our Body Burden, the “Pollution in People”
The term body burden was first coined in the early 2000’s. It is defined as, the total amount of a chemical present in a human's or animal's body, typically a radioactive element or other toxic substance. This can include anything from dangerous metals like lead or mercury, to pesticides and herbicides, unsafe food additives, BPA’s from plastics just to name a few.
As stated by Dr. Sanjay Gupta on a recent CNN documentary entitled Toxic America, “A growing number of studies are finding hundreds of toxic chemicals in mothers' and subsequently their babies' bodies when they are born…”
In 2005 the Environmental Working Group published a benchmark study that looked at the number of toxic chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of newborns. Of 287 chemicals, detected in umbilical cord blood, 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests. The dangers of pre- or post-natal exposure to this complex mixture of carcinogens, developmental toxins and neurotoxins has never been studied. The authors go on to say, had we tested for a broader array of chemicals, we would almost certainly have detected far more than 287. Testing umbilical cord blood for industrial chemicals is technically challenging. Chemical manufacturers are not required to divulge to the public or government health officials methods to detect their chemicals in humans.
In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a comprehensive study that suggests more than 33% of diseases affecting children under the age of five are caused by environmental exposures, and that by preventing these exposures, as many as four million children’s lives a year worldwide could be saved.
Our environment has changed very rapidly. We do not live in the same environment that we did a 100 years, 50 years or even 10 years ago. Biologically we change very slowly.
We monitor the pollution in our air, our water, and even our fish. It's time to start looking at the pollution in our bodies and take steps to minimize our exposure and absorption of toxic substances.
Although we as individuals may not have a big say in the chemicals in our environment, we do have some control over those which we may ingest, breathe or absorb. The Self Care Awakening, being healthy by choice, looks at ways we can help reduce our individual body burden of toxic chemicals to lead a healthier life. Becoming aware of the problem is the first step the second is to take action for healthier choices.
Our Favorites!
Hydrate:
Drink healthy water at least half of your body weight in ounces daily. We suggest keeping a glass bottle (one that you know how many ounces it contains) with you at your desk or whatever activity you are engaged in and then sip on that water throughout the day. Refill as necessary. We love PiWater a filtered, alkaline water that tastes amazing and has a quick absorption rate. More on proper hydration.
Reduce Sugar:
Easiest thing to do is read labels and avoid processed foods. When you reduce sugar you are most likely eliminating other things your body doesn't need. Frequent your local farmers market/produce stands you get the benefit of healthy food and support your local community, win - win. More on sugar.
Sleep:
The most productive part of any 24 hour cycle is when you sleep. Get 8 hours of sleep everyday, Ladies 8 hours and 20 - 25 min.. More about healthy sleep and how to get it.
Author: Gary Lindner, PhD
Sweet Dreams are Made of...
Sleep is an essential physiological process (this means the body NEEDS sleep, not wants but needs), but in our fast paced, highly productive lives, we often sacrifice sleep for other activities.
Sleep is an essential physiological process (this means the body NEEDS sleep, not wants but needs), but in our fast paced, highly productive lives, we often sacrifice sleep for other activities.
This is due in part to our perception of sleep as a non-productive endeavor, when from a physiological and health standpoint it our most productive time of our day.
Work that must be completed, a project that just has to be finished, studying for that mid-term, getting up an hour early to exercise or miss that rush hour traffic on the way to work. We have many reasons not to get enough sleep. Many of us think that 6 or 7 hours a night is sufficient for a good night’s sleep. According to the National Institutes of Health, the average adult sleeps less than seven hours per night. In today’s fast-paced society, six or seven hours of sleep may sound pretty good, but in reality, it is a recipe for chronic sleep deprivation.
We often rationalize not getting the proper amount of sleep. Here are a few myths about sleep:
Myth 1: Getting just one hour less sleep per night won’t affect your daytime functioning.
Myth 2: Your body adjusts quickly to different sleep schedules.
Myth 3: Extra sleep at night can cure you of problems with excessive daytime fatigue.
Myth 4: You can make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping more on the weekends.
Poor sleep can cause a number of health issues including obesity in adults and children, diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, cardiovascular disease and hypertension, anxiety symptoms, depressed mood, poor immune function and alcohol or drug abuse.
William C. Dement, M.D., Ph.D., Stanford University, is the world's leading authority on sleep.For this pioneering work in a previously uncharted field, he is sometimes referred to as the father of sleep medicine. Dr. Dement states, “Healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the single most important determinant in predicting longevity, more important than diet, exercise and heredity.”
The National Sleep Foundation recommends 8 to 10 hours for teenagers 14 to 17 years old and 7 to 9 hours for adults. I personally recommend 8 hours of sleep for most people. Women need more sleep according to Dr. Jim Horne, one of Britain's leading experts in sleep science. In an article published in the Daily Mail, Horne explained that on average women need twenty more minutes of sleep than men. The researcher pointed out that women tend to multi-task and use more of their brain than men leading to a greater need for sleep. Essentially, the more you use your brain during the day, the more it needs to rest while asleep.
You may be sleep deprived if…
• Need an alarm clock to wake up on time
• Rely on the snooze button
• Have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning
• Feel sluggish in the afternoon
• Get sleepy in meetings, lectures or warm rooms
• Get drowsy after heavy meals or when driving
• Need to nap to get through the day
• Fall asleep while watching TV or relaxing
• Feel the need to sleep in on weekends
• Fall asleep within five minutes of going to bed
Improve Your Sleep Today: Make Sleep a Priority
Schedule sleep like any other daily activity, put it on your "to-do list" and cross it off every night. But don’t make it the thing you do only after everything else is done – stop doing other things so you get the sleep you need.
Start by assessing your own individual needs and habits. See how you respond to different amounts of sleep. I suggest keeping a sleep journal for a few weeks. Pay attention to your mood, energy and productivity after a poor night's sleep versus a good one. Ask yourself, "How often do I get a good night's sleep?" The National Sleep Foundation has a downloadable Sleep Diary at https://sleepfoundation.org/sites/default/files/SleepDiaryv6.pdf that is easy to use and can be quite helpful. There are also many sleep apps that can be downloaded to your phone.
Tips for a better night’s sleep:
· Stick to a sleep schedule, even on weekends.
· Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual.
· Exercise daily.
· Evaluate your bedroom to ensure ideal temperature, sound and light.
· Beware of hidden sleep stealers, like alcohol and caffeine.
· Turn off electronics before bed.
· Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
Get 8 hours a night of good quality sleep. It’s one way to be
Healthy by Choice. Sweet Dreams.
Our Bedtime Favorites!
Kenko Dream® Light Comforter
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
• Temperature regulation keeps you warm or cool: designed for all-season use
• Breathable outer cover provides ventilation and releases excess heat for comfort
• Chitocotton fibers containing chitosan are woven in to help fibers retain a clean, fresh scent
• When used with a Kenko Naturest® Mattress Topper, the Kenko Dream® Comforter completes the cocoon of magnetism to surround the sleeper in a magnetic field
Kenko Naturest® Mattress Topper
DYNAFLUX — POWER AT REST
• DynaFlux Magnetic Technology produces a series of magnetic fields that cover a full 360 degrees in three dimensions
• The internally opposed magnetic surfaces shift in angle as a response to body movements, to enhance the field depth
• No other technology using permanent magnets can deliver this scope of magnetic coverage • Enfolds and surrounds anything in its proximity, even complex shapes
NATURAL MATERIALS FOR BETTER SLEEP
• The foundation of the Kenko Naturest Mattress Topper is natural latex — not man-made polyurethane foam
• Latex is hypoallergenic, and resistant to microbial growth and dust mites • Latex holds its shape and firmness better than polyurethane foam, for more durable support
• Latex also wicks away moisture, for greater comfort
• The cover is woven in all-natural fibers, free from chemical pesticides, insecticides or fertilizers
• Natural fibers promote ventilation for regulation of temperature
• Fiber and latex are fully renewable resources
• 100% cotton sleeve surrounds the latex pad to add a layer of quality, protection and durability
• Meets federal flammability standards for mattress pads without flame-retardant chemicals
PASSIVE MASSAGE FOR GREATER COMFORT
Shaped nodules are produced with a proprietary method that gives them the ideal degree of firmness. The effect is a relaxing massage while you sleep, that gently stimulates and can help lessen tossing and turning.
Author: Gary Lindner, PhD