Memory Foam

My wife and I jokingly refer to my time spent on the high school football team as the “glory days.” Although I still have a passion for watching football, I haven’t played it since the first game of my senior season, when a 250-pound linebacker wrestled me to the turf. I was a highly touted quarterback with plenty of college prospects in my future, and our team had been expected to win a state championship. But that was before the tackle.

No serious permanent damage was done, but I still have occasional flare-ups in which my back begins to throb with pain. I have a vast array of medicated creams and pills to alleviate the problem, but I’ve found that a lumbar support pillow staves off backaches better than any other precaution. Whether I’m at home watching a game on TV or driving to work, I rely on the pillow to provide the support I need.

Without exception, we all function at our best after a good night’s sleep. While the exact amount of sleep we require might vary, the overall value of those crucial 40 winks does not. Unfortunately, many people have a hard time falling asleep at night, and this problem can carry over into drowsiness during the next day. If you count yourself among the millions of people who experience sleep issues, try one or more of the following tips.

One of the best ways to help sleep problems is to switch pillows. A lumpy pillow belongs in the trash, not at the head of your bed. Next, set aside a block of time for exercise. A night-time workout helps eliminate stress, but you’ll want to leave plenty of time between your exercise routine and bedtime. Lastly, consider cutting off your caffeine intake well before you hit the sack. For obvious reasons, a late-night cup of joe can keep you tossing and turning for hours.