The functional fifties

This post-war era had homes decorated with Formica, chrome furniture, modern appliances and colorful pastel paints. The typical home had two bedrooms, with siblings often sharing a room. When it came to mattress comfort, foam rubber was the “it” thing, and couples sleeping in twin-size beds – made popular by TV couples like Lucy and Desi – were a hit in the bedroom.

1960-1969

Hippie hype

Bedrooms became stages for self-expression as America headed toward the psychedelic era. Do-it-yourself designers began using colorful posters and memorabilia to transform walls into personal art. Blowup furniture, beanbag chairs and open plan designs brought a “groovy” feel to the bedroom, while larger beds and waterbeds also became part of the free-love culture.

1970-1979

The sparkling seventies

Unlike the do-it-yourself attitude of the ’60s, in the ’70s glitz became glam and bigger became better when it came to home decorating. The decade brought a focused attention to bedroom design, with bold, earthy colors, woodgrain paneling and wallpaper dominating the décor. As bedroom sizes expanded, queen and king became the preferred bed sizes for couples.

1980-1989

The extreme eighties

The term “McMansion” first appeared in the ’80s to describe the extreme size of new homes. Bedrooms increased in both size and number, accommodating larger furniture and electronics. Interior design became more stylized, with geometric patterns and bold, electric accents of hot pink and teal. Retreating to a spacious bedroom with a queen-size mattress to watch late-night TV became one of America’s most desired ways to relax.

1990-1999

The new age nineties

By now, more than 85% of new homes were being built with three or more bedrooms. With more available space, bedrooms became even more multifunctional and personalized. In 1991, the queen-size mattress surpassed the traditional full-size as the most popular sleeping choice for American couples. Also happening at this time, luxury mattresses were reaching mainstream popularity with the pillow-top feature.

2000s

21st century: sleep sanctuary

Home sizes have doubled since 1970, and homeowners are taking advantage of the extra space by transforming the bedroom into a place for personal retreat, relaxation and rejuvenation. Calming colors and textures are taking over, creating a spa-like atmosphere. The added sleeping space of queen- and king-size mattresses continues to win new fans. Intriguing new technologies, such as memory foam and adjustable airbeds, are piquing consumers’ interest in exploring the many luxury mattress choices now available. More than ever, the bedroom has become a personal sleep oasis.

Sleep not only feels good but it’s vital for our overall health. Science has shown us that sleep allows your brain to do some basic housecleaning. While you sleep, your brain takes out the trash and carefully puts away your memories. Enough sleep also keeps the rest of your body running in tiptop shape, helping you to burn fat and rejuvenate tissue. In fact, sleep is an important daily medicine for your brain and body.

Wake up to good health

More and more people are appreciating the important role of sleep. A sleep study revealed that the vast majority of people rated a good night’s sleep as the most important factor for their health and well-being. This is especially true as we age, and the majority of survey respondents over age 55 strongly agreed that there is an important connection between mattresses and health. Most people surveyed also believe sleep is an essential factor in work productivity, overall energy, and physical and mental agility. Despite this fact, more Americans are getting less sleep than ever before. 45% of those surveyed recently say they are not getting enough sleep, compared with 27% in 2000 and 36% in 2004. With such an epidemic going around, it’s important to work hard at getting enough sleep so you can start the day refreshed and rejuvenated.

78% of people surveyed say they want improvement in their sleep quality, and 49% say they would like to own a better mattress than they currently do.

What lies beneath

Studies reveal that your mattress plays an important, if not critical, role in how well and how long you sleep. Four out of five survey respondents agreed that poor mattresses affect sleep quality. Once a mattress is seven years old it has reached the end of its lifespan, and can no longer support and cushion your body well enough for you to sleep comfortably and get the benefits you need from sleep. Replacing your mattress can make it easier to sleep, relieving back pain and body aches. 85% of people surveyed believe sleeping on a bad mattress can cause serious back problems. Getting a new mattress also means that the pounds and pounds of pet dander, dust mites and allergens that have taken up residence in your old mattress are gone, allowing you to breathe easier and be healthier while you sleep. A healthier you starts with a new mattress.

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The eyes are closed during Stage 1 sleep and you can be awakened without difficulty; however, if aroused from this stage of sleep, you may feel as if you havenʼt slept. Stage 1 may last for five to 10 minutes. During this time, you may feel like youʼre falling, which may cause you to jump suddenly (called hypnic myoclonia).

Stage 2:

During this light period of sleep the heart rate slows and the body temperature decreases. At this point, the body prepares to enter deep sleep.

Stages 3 and 4:

These are deep sleep stages, with Stage 4 being more intense than Stage 3. This is when REM sleep occurs. These stages are known as slow-wave, or delta, sleep. If aroused from sleep during these stages, a person may feel disoriented for a few minutes.

Stage 5:

Most dreaming occurs during Stage 5, known as REM. REM sleep is characterized by eye movement, increased respiration rate and increased brain activity. Your brain and other body systems become more active while your muscles become more relaxed. REM sleep is when you typically dream because of increased brain activity. Voluntary muscles become paralyzed, and this period of paralysis is a built-in protective measure to keep you from harming yourself. Do you ever feel like you can’t escape during a dream? Well, the truth is, you can’t. You can breathe, and your heart is working, but you really can’t move.

• Excessive sleepiness during the day
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Snoring or episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
• Urge to move your legs at rest or an uncomfortable feeling in the legs at night

In general, there are several basic types of sleeping disorders. Here are a few:

• Insomnia
• Sleep apnea
• Restless leg syndrome
• Narcolepsy
• Sleepwalking

• Irritability
• Exhaustion
• Easily distracted
• Making unsound decisions

However, there are other consequences of poor sleep that aren’t always as obvious. For example, sleep deprivation can negatively affect your immune system.

Research also suggests that sleep deprivation may lead to:

• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Bone loss
• Depression

Sleep deprivation also can impair:

• Learning
• Memory
• Alertness
• Concentration
• Judgment
• Problem solving
• Reasoning

But these are only a few of the health issues sleep deprivation creates. According to Eve Van Cauter of the University of Chicago, a “lack of sleep disrupts every physiologic function in the body.” To make matters worse, lack of sleep hinders your ability to realize your own performance is impaired, making you think you’re functioning well when you probably aren’t.

So now we know that sleep is necessary, but it’s up to each of us to make sure we get enough rest. In the end, getting better sleep helps you lead a better life.

New mattresses sold in the United States must meet specific safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

To ensure consumers know important safety information, many mattress manufacturers attach a Safety Hangtag to their products. This hangtag is distributed by the Sleep Products Safety Council (the product safety and research arm of the International Sleep Products Association). Here’s what the council suggests: