Memory Foam

Have you ever caught yourself thinking that sleep is not that important, I can get by on a few hours?  Well, I’m here to tell you that sleep is vital to our health and well-being.  Our moods are regulated by the amount of sleep we receive as well as our learning and memory functions.  If you want to learn a new skill, be productive, concentrate better, gain better health, weight and/or energy level, all you may need is a good night’s sleep.

Generally, the rule of thumb is 7-9 hours of sleep each night for an adult.  Each time you miss a few hours of sleep, the sleep debt count goes higher and it becomes difficult to make up for the loss.  Unfortunately, that sleep debt also contributes to a sleepier feeling and less alert symptoms.

Often the adage we hear is to make sure exercise is part of your lifestyle.  I am not disputing that exercise is important in your lifestyle but we need to begin to recognize our bodies need, even crave, proper rest.  That rest time allows our bodies to renew themselves and prepare us for the challenges we will face the next day.  

Let’s make life better for ourselves and those around us by allowing 7-9 hours of pure pleasure by resting well and you’ll be on your way to good health!

Up to 10% of the U.S. population suffers from either a mild to moderate form of RLS, the Restless Leg Syndrome.  It seems this syndrome is hard to explain to a family doctor or friends.  Perhaps you are someone suffering from RLS but as of yet have not been able to have it diagnosed.  A description often used by sufferers is “ants crawling through my legs” or soda running through my veins”.  Ask yourself the questions below and see if you fall into the RLS Syndrome.

Here are  a few quick questions which may be indicators of a need to talk to a health care professional:

• When sitting or lying down, is there a strong urge to move your legs that is difficult to resist?
• Do the words “creepy-crawly, itching or pulling” describe your symptoms?
• Does moving your legs slow down the symptoms?
• Do these symptoms occur at night generally?
• Do you have involuntary leg movements while awake?
• Are you tired or lacking concentration during the day?
• Is anyone else in your family plagued with this?

If after reading these questions, you feel you may have RLS, take these points into consideration.  This is a treatable condition where you need to concentrate on managing the symptoms.  Small lifestyle changes you can take include limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake, taking iron supplements, enjoying a hot bath, exercising regularly, follow good sleep habits.

With RLS raising its ugly head usually during the evening or night, a solid sleep may be hard to achieve and we can appreciate how that can negatively impact our day.  Work towards a better night’s sleep by:

• maintaining a regular sleep schedule
• have in place a bed-time routine
• sleep in a dark, quiet, cool room
• purchase a quality mattress and pillows
• stop food intake around 8:00 p.m.
• exercise regularly
• avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine

There is no need to suffer alone.  Talk to family, friends, health-care specialists or seek out support groups.   Learn about new information on the subject and how others cope with RLS.

The joy and anticipation of awaiting for your newborn child can seem to quickly fade as the hours of sleep become less and less for a soon to-be-mom!  The first trimester a mom will tend to sleep more than usual as her body is working to protect and nurture the developing baby.  It’s usually later in the pregnancy that finding that deep uninterrupted sleep seems to become that illusive dream!

The biggest reason this occurs is the increasing size of the fetus which makes finding a comfortable sleeping position a challenge.  For those who love sleeping on their backs or stomachs, the adjustment to sleeping on their side can take awhile.  Basic movements in bed become slightly more difficult as a women’s body size changes!

Here are a few other common causes to interrupted sleep:

• Bathroom breaks - the increased pressure on the bladder and the ’stepped-up’ work of the kidneys contributes to this as well.
• Blood pumping - increased heart activity to send sufficient blood to the body increases the heart rate.
• Difficulty breathing - the diaphragm is pushed against by the growing uterus.
• Leg cramps and backaches - extra weight being carried can induce this plus the hormone, relaxin which develops during this time causes instability leading to injuries.
• Constipation and heartburn - the digestive system slows down and food remains in the stomach longer causing these symptoms.

Understanding the whys of sleep deprivation may help you to hang in there mom!  There are some helps out there, such as the memory foam adjustable leg support which can alleviate leg cramps and back ache, which may make this time a bit easier.  Remember, the wait will be worth it all when you look into your new born’s face!

There are so many concerns today over allergies - whether they be from food, insect bites and stings, airborne particles, medicines, or chemicals.  In generations passed, little was known about these conditions nor was much study done on individuals who displayed discomfort or reactions under certain situations or conditions.  It was thought that you must just “tough it out”.

Thankfully today, studies have been done and research continues to help us understand the hows and whys.  The tendency to develop allergies is often hereditary, which means it can be passed down through your genes.  This doesn’t mean you will inherit a particular allergy, just the likelihood of having allergies is present.

How can we avoid allergies?  In cases of food allergies, complete avoidance becomes a life-saving necessity.  With airborne allergens you may need to:

• Remove the family pet from certain rooms and regularly bathe them
• Remove the carpet or rugs from the bedroom
• Remove heavy drapes or other items where dust can accumulate
• Clean frequently
• Use special covers to seal pillows and mattresses such as allergy free pillow protectors
• Keep windows closed during pollen season and change clothes after being outdoors and no lawn mowing
• Avoid damp areas where mold has greater opportunity to develop

Depending upon the individual, medications or shots may need to be used to treat allergies.

We’ve come a long way baby in our knowledge and treatment of allergies!  Doctors and scientists continue to work to better understand allergies, improve treatment methods and possibly one day prevent allergies altogether for the more than 50 million Americans affected.

Most teens, as do most adults, need 81/2 - 9 hours of sound sleep each night.  Unfortunately, even teens (1 in 4) suffer from trouble sleeping.  When our bodies are not rested, everything from our emotions, ability to focus on tasks, performance and health will be affected.

A few ideas to encourage a sound sleep:

1. Keep active during the day - 60 minutes of exercise a day will decrease stress and allow you to feel relaxed, as long as it’s not done just prior to bedtime.
2. Keep away from alcohol and drugs - contrary to popular belief, these are not a relaxant but a stimulant which can increase chances of waking up during the night.
3. Keep the electronics in another room - keep your room a tech-free zone for 8-9 hours.
4. Keep a sleep pattern - allow your body to anticipate sleep by going to bed the same time and having some night-time routines like reading, soft music playing, etc.
5. Keep positive thoughts about sleep - say over and over in your mind and out-loud during the day, “Tonight, I will sleep well.”

Following these ideas should allow you to see a positive difference in your resting time.  It is also wise to ensure your teens pillow encourages proper body alignment to avoid back and neck problems.  A properly aligned body will avoid tossing and turning to find that comfortable spot.  We would encourage you to look into a memory foam pillow to contribute to that sound night’s sleep.

Getting deep, restorative sleep every night is imperative for your overall well-being. But this can be challenging for myriad reasons. When my wife and I first started sharing a bedroom, I couldn’t believe her ability to saw logs. Honestly, I think I got about six hours of sleep that first week. After visiting a sleep specialist, we found that there are several possible causes of snoring:

~Muscle Vibration: if your tongue and the muscles in your throat and mouth relax too much while you sleep, they can vibrate and create snoring.

~Tonsils and Adenoids: if you haven’t had your tonsils and adenoids removed, they can vibrate as well.

~Weight: excess fat in the throat can vibrate too, so shedding a few excess pounds can curtail snoring.

Everyone has more fun traveling with their pet; after all, they really are a part of the family, right?!  Taking a hike, enjoying the lake or sitting by the campfire, make your pet part of the memories.  A few steps taken in advance of the vacation will make the experience enjoyable for you and your pet.

 1.  Car Trips – When your pet is young, begin taking them on small little trips with you in your vehicle.  This will allow them to get use to traveling and avoid carsickness – no one wants to be on clean-up duty! 

2.  Pack and Prepare – Ensure your pet is up to date on all his/her vaccinations and it wouldn’t hurt to bring along the immunization papers if you are traveling out of country.    A stop at your veterinarian for a health check will alleviate any concerns for traveling.  You would be wise to take along your own brush, first-aid kit for animals, identification tag, photo of pet and cleaning supplies in case there is an accident.

3. Secure Your Pet – While traveling in the vehicle, ensure your pet is secure whether by a car seat or harness for the safety of yourselves and your pet. 

4.  The Kennel – If you are at a campground or hotel allowing pets, it is wise to have along a kennel in the event you want to leave your animal for an evening out at a restaurant or whatever.  You’ll be confident he/she is not roaming and causing mischief in their new surroundings.

5.  Take Along Favorites – Allow your pet to feel secure by packing a few of their favorites.  Perhaps it is the memory foam pet bed, a stuffed animal, water dish, etc.  They will settle quite quickly into the traveling routine with something familiar beside them.

  6. Keep Their Head – Always ensure that your pet stays inside the moving vehicle.  If you require opening the windows for air movement, just have the one closest to your pet slightly open so their head does not wander outside of the vehicle.   

7.  Never Leave Your Pet in the Vehicle – summertime, of course, is the warmest time of the year and under no circumstances should you ever leave your pet unattended in a closed vehicle.

8.  Air Travel – If you are planning to include your pet on a flight, you will need to plan early.  Phoning the airline can assist you in knowing their rules and regulations. If there is any paperwork that is necessary, you should allow plenty of time to prepare for that. 

9. Risk Factors – Traveling with your pet by air does require thorough preparation.  You will need to consider the breed of animal, the age of animal, best time to travel with your pet, allowing exercise time, etc.

 10.  Enjoy – Having your pet with you should allow greater enjoyment on your vacation.  If you are feeling stressed or unprepared to take them with, don’t take the fun out of your vacation. 

Often those with allergies are told to stay indoors but we need to realize that our homes can be dangerous areas for allergy sufferers as well.  Our homes are prime targets for dust mites and pet dander.  A few steps can help everyone breathe easier and provide that safe environment for them.

A first step would be choosing an air cleaning machine or air filter which filters out dust, pollen and other allergens.  It would be wise to have one in each room if the allergy sufferer is quite sensitive.  Special filters can also be fitted on your heating or air conditioning system depending on how your particular units are setup. 

Carpets, unfortunately, while comfy on our feet, are also big targets to harbor those allergens.  An alternative is hardwood flooring or something similar but if you are not prepared to do that major of renovations, steam cleaning can help, but realize it is not a long term solution.    Perhaps you could start with removing carpet from one or two rooms and as money and time permits, continue on throughout the whole house.  If you are building or purchasing a new home, consider going with bare floors as much as possible.

The next target is bedding for allergens.  All pillows and mattresses can be covered with allergy proof protectors which can be zipped on and off, allowing easy wash and maintenance.  It is best to begin with new pillows if your present ones are more than a few years old and begin with a fresh clean allergen free pillow!

Before you tell that allergy sufferer to come indoors, make sure your indoors is safe for them!

Its summer time and that generally means more travel is done than any other time of the year.  Children are out of school, the weather is pleasant and families love to plan reunions, weddings, etc. at this great time of year.  While many may choose to travel by their own transportation, due to distance and time, many vacationers choose the airlines as a quicker and easier method of transportation.  We know that of late, many passengers have begun to grumble about the service of budget carriers but the low fare seems to continue to lure them in. 

While the flight appears to be a great price when you book your ticket on the internet or by the travel agent, once you get to the ticket counter of the airline, there seems to be a never ending list of items they are charging you for.  Too much weight in the luggage, too many pieces of luggage and then once you are on the flight, there is a charge for meals, beverages, perhaps pillows, blankets and basic comfort items.  Have the carriers gone too far?

In an effort to save on a few of these costs, we need to be savvy packers when travelling!  Only take the clothes you will absolutely wear, try to mix and match items and remember, worse case scenario, you can always find a laundromat and wash a few of your items.  It s okay to wear an item more than once!    Ensure you have grabbed some food at home or at the airport itself, in case you are traveling over mealtime and when it comes to beverages, water is better for you anyways, so why pay for the soda? 

Here is the one item you should not leave home without that the airlines cannot provide for you at any cost –the memory foam neck roll pillow.   This easy to carry pillow will provide the comfort you need for your neck while you enjoy your flight knowing that you have saved money in as many ways as possible!  You will be relaxed and pain free by tucking this pillow behind your neck, aligning your body and relieving pressure points. 

Buying this pillow will allow you the comfort of starting out on the right foot for your holidays - taking care of your own health.  No airline will care that much for you!

During pregnancy, most women have plenty on their minds. Planning when to take maternity leave from work, how to decorate the nursery and the logistics of taking care of a child - all of these considerations take time. The last thing a woman needs is to worry about getting a good night’s sleep. Still, for many expecting mothers the body’s elevated hormone levels wreak havoc on a normal sleep schedule.

In addition, the weight gain - in some cases as much as 50 pounds - can put excess strain on back muscles. Needless to say, sleeping on one’s stomach is not practical during pregnancy, and this can lead to trouble sleeping. That’s where a body pillows comes into play; these pillows provide the support necessary for an expecting mom.