Category: Blog

The connection between good sleep and grades

Posted on by Donna

A growing body of research shows the connection between good sleep and grades. Studies indicate that sleep plays a vital role in the way children learn and develop – good sleep impacts a child’s memory, problem-solving skills, language development, behavior, and executive function. Investing in a good quality bed for your growing child will pay off in many ways – they will be refreshed, healthier, and more successful at school and sports.  

A study in the U.S. has found a link between the amount of sleep 10th-12th-graders get and their school grades – the teenagers who had the least amount of sleep were also the ones with the lowest grades, according to their parents. Good sleep and grades are closely related.

Emerging evidence also demonstrates how poor quality of sleep – caused by interrupted sleep during the night – can be associated with challenging behaviors, mood swings, poor attention, and lower school performance.

If your child often wakes up during the night, the reason may be a bad quality of his/her bed or mattress. Investing in a new bed or mattress is often considered an unnecessary expense, as the younger kids often inherit a bed from their older siblings or cousins. However, you may want to think twice before accepting a hand-me-down mattress for your child.

Dangers of second-hand mattresses

Old mattresses can not only disturb your child’s sleep and school grades but can also seriously affect their health.

Old mattresses are nursery gardens for germs

Hand down mattresses usually have worn surfaces which can affect your child’s breathing and allergies. In other words, mattresses are huge sponges that absorb sweat, saliva, body oils, and other body fluids making your child’s bed a playground for bacteria and germs. More precisely, used mattresses can house anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million microscopic bugs.

These dust mites may cause runny noses, sneezing, watery eyes, itchiness, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Therefore, used mattresses often cause or aggravate asthma, allergies, and illnesses that are responsible for keeping your child awake half night. Combined with late-night activities such as before-bed screen-time, this can have an important negative effect on your child’s quality of sleep and consequently their behavior and academic performance during the day.

Old mattresses provide poor support for your child’s back

Older mattresses are known to sag over time. This means that a hand-me-down mattress in your child’s bed may be uncomfortable and unsupportive to their developing spine. And again, this can interfere with their ability to get a decent sleep during the night.

Poor sleep can have various consequences such as reduced control of attention and excessive daytime sleepiness. These often affects a child’s concentration in classes and may result in poor grades. Help your child get good sleep and grades by investing in a Sealy mattress. Take some time to browse the Sealy website and view our range of mattresses.

Why investing in a new bed is a good idea

Purchasing a new bed is investing in your child. Children’s overall quality of health and happiness considerably relies on how well they sleep. School-age kids need between nine and eleven hours of sleep in a comfortable and supportive bed. To help healthy sleep habits in children, teach your kids about healthy sleeping patterns and make their room quiet, snug, and cozy.

Good quality sleep will boost your child’s memory and concentration, improve their mood, enhance emotional control, prevent or alleviate mood swings, and improve their overall well-being. Also, a good new bed will provide support to your child’s growing body and help them relax during the night. Finally, studies show that good sleep prevents challenging behaviors and helps your child go to school refreshed and well-prepared, which is a recipe for good grades.

Surprising sleep habits of the world’s biggest celebs

Posted on by Donna

Celebrities lead glamorous and often hectic lives – flying across the globe on a whim, attending galas and partying all night. In this blog post, we look at how their lifestyle impacts their sleep habits.

Doctors suggest that every adult should have eight to 10 hours of sleep to function properly during the day. The lack of sleep and rest often lead to problems like health issues, depression, anxiety and headache.

Medication prescription and insomnia have been involved in celebrity deaths, reminding us of the dangers of sleep deprivation if not treated responsibly.

Even if you’re the average Jane or Joe, it’s not uncommon if you find it difficult winding down before sleeping – staying awake worrying about the responsibilities at work the next day.  

We’ve put together a list of famous celebrities, who have spoken out about their unique sleep habits and what you can learn from each of them.

1. Mariah Carey

The infamous Mariah Carey is an American singer, writer, actress and also a mother. She has received numerous awards throughout her career as a performer. Her dedication and positive attitude are what made her successful as an entertainer and admired by many.  

Mariah Carey claims that to maintain her beautiful voice she has to sleep 15 hours every night. That’s more than half the day! She keeps at least 20 humidifiers running when she sleeps to ease her throat and keep her voice in tune.

If you want to emulate Mariah Carey’s success story, now you know her key secret. Get enough sleep and be aware of the moisture inside your bedroom – it elevates mood and transitions your body and mind into relaxation.

2. Renee Zellweger

We all know Bridget Jones, the neurotic and hilarious young lady who frequently second guess her life decisions. The character is played by the well-known actress Renee Zellweger – one of the highest-paid actresses in America.

To be at the peak of her success, there’s a price to pay. She says that because of her long work hours and travel to different time zones, she finds it hard to keep her regular sleeping hours. To cope with the issue, she enjoys working out at the gym six times a week to stay happy.

Chosen as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world by The People magazine, Renee Zellweger believes that true beauty is leading a simple life.

3. Kim Catrall

Best known for her role as sassy Samantha Jones in Sex and the City, 60-year-old Kim Catrall says she has is struggled with a sleep disorder. The actress sought medical advice and was later diagnosed with insomnia.

She claims her insomnia led her to withdraw out of a leading role in the Royal Court Theater’s production. She found it difficult to memorise scripts, feeling tired and having mood swings during rehearsals.

Although she felt terrible letting down her fans, her instincts told her she needed to prioritise taking care of herself.

Doctors suggested medications, but she refused and went a different direction. She opted for sleep therapy and re-learned how to relax.

To this day, Catrall occasionally struggles with insomnia; however, she values her time and continues to evaluate her priorities.

4. Jennifer Lopez

Some stars make it a priority to get sufficient amounts of sleep. Jennifer Lopez swears by eight to ten hours of sleep every night. It’s one of her daily beauty routines.

She makes sure her sleeping environment is peaceful, and her mattress provides the best comfort. (How does your mattress impact your sleep habits? You don’t have to be a millionaire to sleep well – browse the Sealy website to find out more about our Sealy sleep solutions designed to support your lifestyle.)

To keep up appearances, she believes a good night’s rest is equally important as drinking water and using a good brand of facial cleanser. She also exercises regularly, practices clean eating habits and spends 15 minutes meditating before going to bed to help her relax her body and mind.

5. Geoge Clooney

The suave actor George Clooney has admitted to suffering from insomnia. He finds it hard to sleep the full hours most nights; as he usually wakes up a couple of times. As a result, he has severe headaches from time to time.

He also suffers from pain as a result of a spinal cord leak he had in 2005. The trauma was intense and led him feeling despaired and lonely.

He then practiced Bikram Yoga as his basic workout plan. This workout helped alleviate his muscle and spine-related problems and improved his sleeping habits.

His diet plan includes healthy and nutritious fare – vegetable and fish and reducing caffeine and alcoholic beverages.

As you can see, celebrities struggle with sleep, just like the rest of us. This often leads to multiple health issues. So take steps and ensure that you address your personal sleep requirements and get the best quality sleep you can.

How sleep patterns change as you age

Posted on by Donna

When we’re so focussed on daily tasks, we rarely think about the other half of our time: When we’re sleeping. We spend almost half our lives asleep, and though we may not realize it, our sleep patterns change as we age.

To maintain optimal health, it’s important to understand what these changes are to both your physical and mental needs.

Why we sleep more growing up (from birth to teen years)

There’s a reason newborn babies tend to sleep throughout the day. Their brains are developing and they are constantly learning new things, and sleep is vital when it comes to their growth. This continues all the way to puberty, when the growth hormone is at its highest. Sealy mattresses are not only for grown ups – did you know we also manufacture cot mattresses? Sealy cot mattresses are manufactured with a non-allergenic, anti-bacterial material and a pocket innerspring system designed to support babies’ growing bodies.

Children need at least 12 hours of sleep. This gradually decreases as they enter their teens. Teenagers experience slower sleep pressure, meaning they feel the desire to sleep later than an adult would. As a result, teenagers typically have high energy levels throughout the evening and night.

Little wonder most parents struggle to keep up with the teenage angst of their kids and their associated sleep patterns!

Parents need to play an active role during these formative years. Setting ground rules and limiting certain activities may help manage this potentially difficult situation. While it’s tempting to pass on your old mattress to your young teenager, it’s advisable to invest in a mattress that will support them as they grow, encouraging the best possible sleep.

Adult years – from 20 to 40

As you enter adulthood, your priorities and time commitments naturally change. Typically, the sleep pattern of a healthy adult requires six to nine hours of sleep. Depending on a number of factors, like lifestyle and responsibilities, being deprived of sleep in your adult years is felt more acutely than in your teens.

You have more on your mind as an adult. Work, marriage and having kids can take a toll on your stress levels, thus affecting your sleep.

Even though your college party days may be behind you, alcohol overconsumption is a real thing and will lead to sleep problems. This not only affects your mental health during the day, but can also affect your ability to sleep well at night.

To really get a good night’s rest, it’s important to view the bedroom as a place to relax and unwind. Avoid making late night phone calls or working on your tablet.

Reserve the bedroom for sleeping and intimacy.

How Sleep Affects Older People (Ages of 50 to 60)

As you pass middle age and move into the realm of seniorhood, sleep can become more of a problem. As you grow older, you produce less growth hormone, and as a result, you experience less deep sleep or REM (rapid eye movement), which is a restorative sleep.

Elderly people tend to sleep and wake early. Sleep patterns are likely to be fragmented as a result of reduced REM. Reduced sleep in older adults can lead to depression and trouble recalling events during the day.

People at this age tend to fall asleep easily, but have difficulty maintaining quality sleep. As a result, the body produces less melatonin.

This can lead to a lot of physical problems, like diabetes, weight problems and even breast cancer. What’s worse is that senior adults tend to need more medication for their various ailments, which can compound sleep problems.

Overcoming sleep problems at any age

Sometimes you need to put in a little extra effort if you want to improve your sleep patterns. If you’re trying to sleep better, try the following things:

Do aerobic exercises

The benefits of exercise can never be overstated. Studies have shown that performing 30 minutes of aerobic exercise four times a week can help seniors sleep a lot better at night.

Avoid caffeine when possible

Most of us can’t help but drink our fill of caffeine on any given day. But that cup of black coffee can cause your nervous system to become over-stimulated, keeping you wide awake when you need to get some shut-eye. Limiting your caffeine intake or avoiding it entirely is important if you’re having problems with insomnia.

Use a quality mattress

Even if you have gotten used to your mattress, you should take note when it doesn’t feel right. That aching back you feel first thing in the morning might mean you should look into finding a replacement. This is especially true if your mattress is seven years or older.

Quality sleep is important at any age. Take the proper steps to balance your life, ensuring you maintain a healthy physical and mental state. This will go a long way towards helping you sleep, thus allowing you to have the life you deserve.

5 tips to beat the winter slump

Posted on by Donna

Dark mornings, gloomy evenings, and gray days in between mean winter is here in Africa — and with the cold season, come the winter slump. Although it has no specific clinical diagnosis, experts at the National Institutes of Health say that winter slump is fairly common. Feelings of sadness, depression, lethargy, and lack of energy are usually the classic symptoms.

When your mood is falling fast, these easy and practical tips may help boost your spirits and beat winter slump.

Improve your diet

Winter means indulging in comfort foods; however, recent research found that people who ate fast foods were 49% more likely to develop symptoms of low mood and anxiety. Therefore, you should look to include more nutritious food options such as fruit, soya beans, and chicken. Foods rich in vitamin B are of extreme importance as they help the brain produce serotonin. This neurotransmitter chemical plays a vital role in balancing moods.

You can also get yourself cozy with some hot chocolate, using natural cocoa powder and almond milk. This drink gives a wonderful sense of delicious treat and can be a healthy addition to your winter diet. Drinking cocoa in the evening also helps prepare you for sleep.

Make sure your sleep schedule and environment is optimal

Winter demands a regular sleep schedule along with an optimal sleep environment. Instead of sleeping late on dark weekend mornings, try waking up at the same times every day of the week. Establish a soothing bedtime ritual and a routine wake-up time.

According to recent guidelines from the National Sleep Foundation, it’s essential to get a sound sleep of at least seven hours every night for your overall health. A comfortable sleep area, free of noisy distractions can help beat the winter slump. Don’t forget to add a new and comfortable mattress at least once in two years. Don’t wait until the warm days of summer to invest in a good quality mattress. Browse the Sealy website and discover our range of comfortable mattresses, all designed to deliver a solid night’s sleep, regardless of the season!

Lace up your running shoes

According to a 2005 study from Harvard University, walking fast for an hour a day three times a week or about half an hour a day five times a week improved mild to moderate symptoms of depression. Exercising or doing workouts under bright lights is even better for recurrent depression.

Another study found that aerobic physical activity improves general mental health, depressive symptoms, and social functioning. Therefore, you should go for more aerobic exercises like swimming, running, cycling and high-intensity interval training.

Get more sun exposure

You left for work in the dark and came back home in the night, restricting yourself from getting your daily dose of natural sunshine. Less exposure to sunlight during winter months can disrupt your body’s circadian rhythms, affect your mood and energy, and cause a drop in Vitamin D and serotonin levels. 

If you have the flexibility, schedule in a morning walk or lunchtime stroll. If you don’t, consider getting a full-spectrum light box. It is especially beneficial for people with seasonal depression. Light therapy helps correct your body’s circadian rhythms. It also helps stimulate the release of the natural hormones that regulate your mood and help you feel energized.

Consult your healthcare professional

Winter slump can be part of some other system. Sleep disorders, chronic pain, headaches, and even cardiovascular diseases are all linked to low mood and depression. So don’t hesitate to consult your health care provider to make sure your winter slump is not something more serious.

Four common sleep problems you shouldn’t ignore

Posted on by Donna

Do you struggle to fall asleep? Do you always feel like getting a good night’s rest is like trying to calm a storm by just looking at it? It doesn’t work. It’s like you’re trying to perform a miracle just to sleep.

Your mind is racing with thoughts, never quite settling down long enough for you to get a good shut-eye. You try to will it. But it exceeds your grasp.

A lot of people struggle to fall asleep at one time or another. Whether it comes from stress, illness, work commitment and other interference to your daily routine. But if sleep difficulties are a consistent problem to you and affecting your personal and professional life, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.

Here are four common types of sleep disorders and how to deal with them:

1.Insomnia

Insomnia is the inability to repose at night when you need to, feeling wide awake or struggling to remain asleep. This is a common sleep problem that a lot of people suffer from.

People that experience insomnia can stay up at night for hours, eyes wide awake incapable of getting a wink of sleep. This obviously will lead to waking in the morning and feeling like you only slept for 10 minutes. Which is not a great way to start the day, especially if you’re supposed to get ready for work.

Regular insomnia can lead to chronic insomnia, which is when a person has more than three episodes in a week for three months or longer. The common causes of chronic insomnia are depression, anxiety and illness.

Adjust your sleep routine and deal with the problems that could trigger your insomnia, such as managing your stress levels and avoiding caffeine a few hours before going to bed. These small changes will help your mind and body to stay relaxed to sleep better.

2.Back Pain

Back pain can turn your sleep into the agony that never ends. It makes falling asleep impossible with all the discomfort you’re feeling. Forget the saying’ sleep like a baby’ when you can’t even find a comfortable position to sleep.

Various reasons can cause back pain, which includes:

  • Sprains and injury.
  • Spine-related problems like a slipped disc.
  • Illnesses such as scoliosis, kidney stones and arthritis. 
  • An uncomfortable mattress. (When was the last time you invested in a good mattress?)

Change your sleeping positions by placing extra pressure on the hips, neck and lower back. If you’re sleeping on your back, put a pillow under your knees. This will promote a better alignment for your spine. And if you lie on your stomach, place a soft pillow under your lower abdomen.

When you have chronic back pain, experts recommend changing your mattress. Learn the different types of mattresses and choose something that supports your back when you sleep.

Doing so is a good investment and ensures you rest through the night without disrupting the quality of your sleep.

3.Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Someone that suffers from RLS has difficulty sleeping because of the constant need to move the legs when resting. This is a medical condition that often leads to sleep deprivation.

The agitation in the legs is usually described as aching, sore, burning, and throbbing. Some RLS sufferers also reported similar symptoms in other parts of the body, including the torso and arms.

To reduce the sensation of RLS, try a hot or cold compression. This can soothe the muscles and may help you sleep through the night. Another thing to do is massaging and moving your legs. This helps with blood circulation and reduce discomfort so you’ll feel more relaxed.

4.Sleep Apnea

Some people handle snoring lightly, and some feel embarrassed about it. But loud snoring may be an indication of sleep apnea.

A classic symptom of sleep apnea include loud snoring, daytime drowsiness, inability to focus, choking and waking at night while feeling out of breath. Sleep apnea occurs when the respiratory tract is blocked,  causing pauses in breathing, hence the loud snoring.

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. Seek treatment and consult with your doctor to control your snoring issue. Untreated sleep apnea could lead to serious health problems if prolonged.

If snoring is causing you (or your partner) to struggle to fall asleep, you can buy nasal strips to open your nasal passages, change your sleeping position, consume less alcohol before bed or purchase a new Sealy pillow. Allergens in your old pillow might contribute to snoring.

The bottom line

Sleeping should be one of the most natural and most comforting things you can do. But if you struggle to fall asleep, determine what’s causing the issue and take steps to resolve it.

The problem could be a medical reason, or it could simply mean it’s time you get a quality mattress that makes sleeping a pleasure again.

So make sure to take action and take your time to do it. You’ll get to enjoy more out of life when you finally get to sleep well.

Fact: Good sleep hygiene improves your mood

Posted on by Donna

A clean sleep environment has a whole host of benefits for our health. When it comes sleep hygiene, a comfortable mattress and clean bedding are two of your most important factors to consider. It’s no secret that a clean, tidy room improves our mood.  

In fact, there’s actually a scientific correlation!

A 2009 study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin showed that women who described their homes as cluttered were also depressed, tired and more stressed.

For starters, even something as simple as making your bed in the morning provides you with a sense of achievement before the day has even begun, and I think we can all agree that there’s no better feeling than crawling into a crisp, freshly made bed after a long day at work.

But what are the best ways to keep your comfortable mattress and linen clean without sacrificing their quality?

How to take care of your mattress:

There are a few tell-tale signs you’re in need of a new mattress. As a rule of thumb, they should be replaced every seven to 10 years, but if you find your mattress is becoming uncomfortable or saggy, your spine isn’t aligned properly, or your asthma/allergies are worsening (this can be due to dust mites), it may be time to invest in a new one.

Until that time comes, though, you can take care of and potentially prolong its life by using a mattress protector. As well as reducing stains and the risk of bed bugs and bacteria from moisture, a mattress protector can actually enhance your comfort, making for an even sounder night’s sleep!

How often you should wash your bedding:

Most people do not wash their bedding nearly enough. Yes, life is hectic and the last thing you want to do after a long day is wrestle with a new set of bedding. So you just hop into bed and vow to ‘do it tomorrow’.

We get it! But regularly washing and changing your bedding has such an array of benefits that it really should be a top priority.

You need to change your bedding every one to two weeks. Here are a just a few tips to keep it looking fresh and new for longer:

Tips for washing your bedding:

  • Wash bedding at a low temperature to avoid shrinkage
  • Use a good quality detergent to ensure you still get a decent clean even at a lower temperature
  • Turn the bedding inside out to avoid the colours running (and to prevent fitted sheets from becoming misshapen)
  • Add a fabric conditioner for extra comfort and a fresh scent
  • If possible, air dry your sheets for an even fresher feeling
  • Deal with any stains before washing – there are loads of techniques you can try, from specialist stain removal products to old-school hacks such as running the stain under cold water before washing

You know we’re the people behind your comfortable mattress, but did you know Sealy also makes bedding? It shouldn’t really be a surprise, since we are totally and utterly dedicated to sleep… we know for a fact that good sleep improves lives!

Taking care of your sleeping environment is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your health and wellbeing. Better sleep = higher productivity, improved mental health and a stronger immune system, to name just a few of the perks.

So, get those sheets in the wash, invest in that new mattress or simply tidy your room, safe in the knowledge that you’re investing not only in better sleep, but an overall improved quality of life!

Lungi’s bedtime routine and a chance to win!

Posted on by Donna

If you’re like a lot of people, you know the importance of sleep and how it affects your well-being. Sealy South Africa recently collaborated with beauty blogger, Lungi, who tells us all about her bedtime routine in her latest blog post. Click here to read Lungi’s blog post, and for the chance to win a Sealy mattress protector and two Sealy pillow protectors.

Your bedtime routine and your skin

Did you know that sticking to a good beauty bedtime routine is vital to maximising your skincare efforts? Our skin is hard at work regenerating cells at night when we sleep. You could take advantage of that fact by practising the right beauty bedtime routine so you’ll wake up to healthier and beautiful skin.

We’re all familiar with the story of Sleeping Beauty. The fact that sleep and beauty are intertwined is not just a fantasy. Studies show that sleep benefits our appearance in more ways than one. When we sleep, our body focuses on repairing and renewing our skin, thus providing that nourishment it needs that we can’t get during the daytime.

Below are two key beauty benefits of a good night’s sleep:

  • Reduce wrinkles

Collagen prevents sagging and keeping your skin beautiful and smooth. Your night’s rest is essential because that’s when your skin produces more of this all-important protein.

  • Look and feel fresh

Proper sleep doesn’t just make you feel fresh and ready to take on the world the next morning, it will make you look better, too! No more puffy eyes from your lack of zzz’s and your skin will take on a noticeable, healthy glow as well. You’ll be ready to take on the world while looking good doing it.

How to get into a proper bedtime beauty routine

  • Make sure your sleeping arrangement are comfortable

There’s nothing like curling up in a nice warm bed after a long day. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right mattress that’s suitable for your comfort and personal preferences. A good mattress will offer all the support your body needs. It keeps your spine in the right alignment regardless of how you sleep.

Don’t forget a quality bed linen as well. You don’t want to toss and turn all night because your bed linen is causing you allergy issues and discomfort. Choosing the right fabric is also important to stay cool or warm so you can sleep soundly throughout the night. Sealy’s range of sheeting is made from 100% cotton percale, with a minimum 200 thread count.

Protect your mattress and pillow with a Sealy mattress protector and a Sealy pillow protector. Our mattress protectors and pillow protectors are fully elasticized and easy to fit – making this a convenient and inexpensive way to protect and prolong the life of your Sealy mattress and Sealy pillow.

  • Go to sleep at the same time every night

As with everything in life, you have a better chance of doing something if you stick to a routine. Keeping the same bed time every night helps you to doze off more quickly.

  • Apply your skin products before you go to bed

When we go to sleep, your skin tends to absorb the products you apply more smoothly. That’s why beauty products are more effective when used before going to bed, and you can see the results more clearly.

Use a product that is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants to lock moisture in your skin and prevent wrinkles and fine lines. This will help improve skin elasticity and protect it from damaging skin conditions. 

Sleeping adequately and getting seven to nine hours of sleep every day will have a noticeable difference in the way you look. People will start to see that you look better and more vibrant in as little as two weeks. Make sure you keep that bedtime beauty routine, your body will thank you for it!

Mommy Blogger shares sage sleep advice

Posted on by Donna

Most parents of young children are experts on the impact of lack of sleep. Tanya Kovarsky, author of mommy blog, Rattle and Mum, says her best sleep advice is to make sure you have a comfortable Sealy mattress and Sealy pillow.

Check out Tanya’s latest blog post on the topic and enter her competition to win a Sealy Soft Touch Bamboo mattress protector and pillow protector. That’s right, in addition to Sealy’s luxurious range of new mattresses (did you know they recently received a complete redesign?), we also offer bed accessories such as mattress protectors, pillow protectors and linen.

Sealy pillows

When was the last time you replaced your pillow? Did you know you should replace your pillow at least every six months (if you sleep with an inexpensive polyester pillow) to every 36 months (if your pillow has better structural integrity). With no fewer than seven Sealy pillows available in South Africa, you will surely find a pillow to suit your requirements.

Check out our four different types of memory pillows: My CoolSmart Gel Pillow, My Gel Pillow, My Memory Pillow and My Comfort Memory Pillow. All three of these are made with Biofoam memory foam, which offers gentle comfort and prevents bacterial growth. The two Gel Pillows help reduce heat build-up.

To ensure your pillows last for up to 36 months, consider using a Soft Touch Bamboo Pillow Protector. The waterproof bamboo fabric helps keep your pillow cool and dry.

Understanding the sleep graphs on your fitness tracker

Posted on by Donna

As a lover of sleep, one of my favourite features of my fitness tracker is the sleep tracker app. In this blog post, we explain how to read the sleep cycle calculator.

Understand your sleep cycle

There are four stages of sleep: Stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 (REM- Rapid Eye Movement). There’s a five to 15 minutes interval between each stage of sleep, and a sleep cycle spans between 90 to 110 minutes. Stage 1, 2 and 3 are called the Non-Rapid Eye Movement Stages (NREM).

A sleep cycle is the transition between the Non Rapid Eye Movement to the Rapid Eye Movement phase of sleep. There are about four to five sleep cycles per sleep time and each cycle lasts for about 90-120 minutes, which are usually clearly separated on your sleep tracker app.

Stage 1 is the “transitional phase” of sleep, basically when you’re feeling drowsy. Eye movement at this stage of sleep is slowed down and your muscles become more relaxed. However, you can be easily awoken in this stage. This is also when your muscles will jerk, sometimes waking you up again.

Stage 2 is the defining phase of the NREM stage of sleep and about 50% of the time spent sleeping is in this stage. Your body temperature cools down and your heart rate slows. Your brain activity slows down with occasional burst of activity, or waves, called “sleep spindles”.

Stage 3 is characterised by Delta/Slow Waves. Deep sleep begins here and the body is less responsive to the surrounding environment. This stage of sleep only makes up about 20% of your time sleeping. The following are experienced in this stage of sleep:

  • Muscle and tissue repair
  • Growth and development
  • Immune system boost
  • Parasomnias (sleep walking, sleep talking)

REM (REM- Rapid Eye Movement) stage is characterised by increased brain activity. If Stage 3 is about rest and regeneration, stage 4 is all about energizing your body. Awakening and arousal is common place at this stage of sleep. Also, this is the phase where dreaming occurs. The following are experienced in this stage of sleep:

  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Faster breathing
  • Consolidation and processing of information by the brain

The benefits of good sleep

Good sleep helps to improve your health, with increased mental and physical performance. Fitness trackers and/or a sleep tracker app can establish the connection between sleep, weight gain/loss, blood pressure as well as heart rate from the data generated.

If you analyse your sleep pattern and it’s clear that you’re not getting a solid night’s sleep, it might be time to start thinking about your sleep routine and your sleep environment. When was the last time you replaced your mattress? Ideally, you should replace your mattress every 10 years.

Other aspects to consider are the amount of light in your bedroom, how much time is spent on screens before bedtime, and how warm or cold you are during the night.

Sealy unveils new-look beds built with exclusive Posturepedic Technology

Posted on by Donna

Sealy mattresses revamped to offer improved support, aesthetics and value.

Sealy South Africa has recently unveiled its new, refreshed mattress and base sets, all equipped with Sealy’s exclusive Posturepedic Technology. The iconic brand, known for its reliable support, has taken style and comfort to the next level with a new moody grey and black colour palette, premium design elements and state-of-the-art engineering on all new Sealy mattresses.

What is Sealy Posturepedic Technology?

Developed in cooperation with orthopaedic surgeons, Sealy Posturepedic Technology delivers exceptional support and comfort, providing back and body alignment to ensure a comfortable, healthy night’s sleep. While you sleep, different parts of your body need different levels of support, and Sealy Posturepedic Technology is designed to provide zoned support where it’s needed most.

The word “posturepedic” is a contraction of the words “Posture” and “Orthopaedic”, with paedic being the medically correct position of the skeletal and associated structures of the body. A bed with orthopaedically correct design correctly supports the muscles to relax and pressure points are relieved to minimise the body’s need to toss and turn during sleep.

Introducing newly engineered Sealy mattress foundations

In addition to the contemporary visual appeal of the brand and the inclusion of Sealy Posturepedic Technology in all mattresses, you can now also choose from a selection of specially designed foundations (or bases) to go with your new Sealy mattress. Therefore, pairing your mattress with the right bed base will help ensure your mattress/base combination delivers the perfect sleep-enhancing characteristics for you.

Pair your Sealy mattress with one of our foundations:

  • Sealy Posturematic adjustable foundation: Paired with Sealy Crown Jewel or Sealy Hybrid mattresses, the Sealy Posturematic adjustable foundation allows you to adjust the bed head and foot heights to meet your needs. Controlled with a cordless remote control, adjust the bed for reading, recovery, improved circulation or opt for one of the convenient built-in settings that include a variety of massage settings.
  • Sealy Shock Abzzorber Steel Foundation: Designed to work like a car’s shock absorbers, this base helps the mattress absorb and disperse weight as it is applied, extending the comfort life of the sleep set. Pair the Sealy Shock Abzzorber Steel Foundation with any Sealy Hybrid or Sealy Crown Jewel mattress.
  • Sealy Reinforced Solid Foundation: The Reinforced Solid Foundation is built with six legs and additional construction materials for reinforcement and stronger support. This helps support mattresses and prevent sagging, ensuring consumers fully experience the many benefits of owning a Sealy bed. This foundation is ideal for the Sealy range, Sealy Hybrid and Sealy Crown Jewel mattresses.
  • Sealy Solid Foundation: This entry-level foundation supports the Sealy range of mattresses, maximising comfort and durability.

We’ve made it easier than ever to choose the right bed set

No matter who you are or how you sleep, there’s a Sealy mattress designed to balance the support you need with the sleep you prefer. However, in an increasingly confused and cluttered world of bed brands, it’s hard to know what to choose, which is why Sealy has introduced a new set of icons and visual cues that help you better understand the various features. From entry level to top-of-the-range, the features and benefits of every Sealy bed with Posturepedic Technology are laid out simply in all sales material so that comparisons and choices are easily made.

In other words, the new, simplified selection system makes it much easier to select the bed that’s best for you.