A new wave of the coronavirus seems to be creating major ripples in people’s lives – affecting their concerns, behaviors and shopping habits, according to the Q4 2021 “Inside the Mind of Today’s Mattress Consumer” survey by the Better Sleep Council. The research suggests that people are partially retreating into their homes – increasing their prioritization of optimizing them for comfort and efficiency. The study found that mattress purchase intent, specifically, is also rising as people continue to make getting a good night’s sleep their No. 1 health and wellness priority.

Preference for shopping and buying mattresses online rose in the fourth quarter, edging ahead of in-person mattress shopping, compared with the previous quarter. Despite recent increases in people’s overall concerns and preferences for not going out, consumers remain significantly more confident about going to the doctor, shopping/purchasing in-store, and traveling/patronizing a public establishment than they were a year ago at this time.

More details about what mattress shoppers are thinking, feeling and doing can be found in the full report here: BSC Tracker Results: Q4 2021.

In Q3 of 2021, Americans experienced a major COVID-19 resurgence – through the number of cases, in people’s news feeds and in consumers’ concerns and behaviors. According to the Better Sleep Council’s Q3 2021 Tracker, people are reverting toward some attitudes and behaviors exhibited earlier in the pandemic. This comes after seeing some relaxation of COVID-19 concerns and shopping behaviors earlier in 2021. In these third-quarter results, consumers are showing revived concerns about COVID-19 and the overall environment they live in. Confidence in travel and in brick-and-mortar shopping and purchasing has declined in this quarter, as opposed to the previous quarter, and preference for online shopping and purchasing remains strong.

Not surprisingly then, many people – almost two-thirds of those surveyed – said the current environment is affecting their sleep. Interestingly, more people are reporting their sleep as “good” and “very good”– perhaps reflecting the impact of strong mattress purchasing over the past 18 months and the fact that sleep remains their most important health priority.

People are cocooning again, spending much more attention and dollars on optimizing their homes for work, education and living. Bedroom products/sleep accessories purchases are still the No. 1 actual and planned purchases, and purchase intent for mattresses rose slightly. This suggests demand will continue. Brick-and-mortar purchases of mattresses surpassed online purchases for the first time since the BSC tracker began monitoring people’s shopping behaviors in 2020. All of this suggests that sleep will remain a high priority for consumers, and that demand for mattresses is unlikely to dip significantly. It also suggests retailers and manufacturers with effective digital and eCommerce programs will compete more effectively than others.

More details about what mattress shoppers are thinking, feeling and doing can be found in the full report here: BSC Tracker Results Q3 2021.

To give the industry insight into shifting consumer attitudes and behaviors in today’s environment, the Better Sleep Council has set about to conduct a quarterly national survey of mattress buyers.

The first quarter of 2021 (the second installment of the research) has seen some changes and some consistencies in how people are sleeping, how they are shopping and what they’re buying for their homes.

This installment of the Better Sleep Council’s quarterly tracker found:

• Respondents still say that a good night’s sleep is more important than diet, exercise and even relationships when it comes to their health.
• Almost half of respondents still aren’t getting a good night’s sleep – many of those who are credit their mattress and sleep environment for the quality of their sleep.
• In Q1 2021, mattresses became a lower priority for people’s purchases, falling from 5^th most important to 8^th – although the larger bedroom products category remains a priority for home product purchases.
• While online mattress shopping remains strong, people who are shopping for mattresses are starting to return to in-person shopping as they become more confident about going out to public spaces.
• Slightly more people are shopping locally, while interest in new retailers and new brands fell in the first quarter of the year.

More details about what mattress shoppers are thinking, feeling and doing can be found in the full report here: BSC Tracker Results: Q1 2021 .

Go here to see the first installment of the BSC’s quarterly research.

There’s no argument that 2020 was a crazy year. Uncertainty, turmoil and change hit virtually everyone and all sectors of the economy, including the bedding products industry. Unlike other sectors of the economy, mattress sales and revenue were strong in 2020, but how companies did business and how consumers thought about, shopped and bought bedding products underwent significant transformation.

To give the industry insight into shifting consumer attitudes and behaviors in this environment, the Better Sleep Council has set about to conduct a quarterly national survey of mattress buyers. The initial study, conducted in late November, surveyed 500 people, all of whom had purchased a mattress in the last month or planned to do so within 30 days.

The study uncovered several interesting facts about mattress shoppers’ mindsets and actions, and about how they’re adapting to the current environment. For example:

• Mattress buyers say a good night’s sleep is even more important than diet and exercise when it comes to their health.
• With home being the place where people have to live, work and attend school, consumers are spending money on all kinds of things to optimize their homes – and the broad category of bedding products is their top purchase, while mattresses rank fifth.
• Not surprisingly, people are buying mattresses online more frequently, but they miss the in-store shopping experience.
• With so much of their lives being affected by change, people are reacting by searching for and shopping new brands and retailers.

More details about what mattress shoppers were thinking, feeling and doing in Q4 of 2020 can be found in the report here: BSC Tracker Results: Q4 2020

Your bedroom is not only your sanctuary. It’s your retreat from the world, your place of rest –  it’s the one room where you spend most of your time. And with everything going on during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re practically spending all your time indoors. With kids being home from school and with everyone required to work from home, areas like kitchens – and even bedrooms – are being transformed into classrooms and home offices. Being cooped up in the house and spending all this time indoors may bring stress levels to an all-time high, and you may be struggling to maintain your sleep sanctuary as well. However, there is a way to get quality sleep during stressful times like these, and that is with feng shui.

Feng shui shows us how, with just a few simple adjustments, the energy in the bedroom can work for you to achieve better sleep.

Size Matters

When it comes to both size of the bedroom, and size of the bed, we’re looking for that Goldilocks fit: not too big, not too small, but just right! We are at our most vulnerable when we are asleep. If the room is too big, it can be difficult for us to fully relax enough to sleep soundly. This feeling of needing to be on alert is a survival instinct from way back when. If the room is too small, we can feel cramped, or trapped like we’re in a prison cell.

If you’re looking to upgrade your mattress (and if so, we currently recommend searching online), there are a few things to keep in mind:

• A twin-size bed is generally too small for an average-sized adult to feel comfortable in. Most colleges provide XL twin mattresses in their dormitories for this reason.
• A full-size or queen-size bed is usually a good fit for most adults.
• Most couples are happy with a queen mattress. If you prefer a king, look for one that does not have split box springs under the mattress, so as not to create disharmony in your relationship, according to feng shui.

The Command Center

Feng shui says that the bed should be placed in a “commanding position” in the bedroom. When you are lying in bed, you should be able to see the door in front of you so that you have a feeling of safety and stability – you can easily see when someone or something enters your space. The wall opposite the door is the best place to position the bed. At the same time, you do not want to be directly in front of the door. The head of the bed should be placed against a wall, and there should be a headboard to stabilize the bed’s position in the room. Ideally there should be equal space on either side of the bed so each person can get in and out easily, and the room feels balanced. You also want to have access to turning on the light quickly and easily.

When rearranging your room, avoid putting the head of the bed under a window. Windows represent the gateway from the bedroom to the outside world. Having your head right under a window affects sleep from all the energy that comes from the outside – including noise, light, wind, scents and shadows. When you sense something unfamiliar, that survival instinct kicks in and you wake up, and it can be difficult to fall back asleep.

Circulation

It is important that energy be allowed to circulate freely throughout the room, and around and under the bed. For this reason, clutter should be kept to a minimum. The bed should be elevated off the floor on a frame or a platform, not placed directly on the floor. Don’t store boxes, books or shoes under the bed; leave that space open for air to flow through. Don’t overcrowd the room with furniture, and as much as it may be difficult, keep any work-related or exercise-related items out of the bedroom.

Although it might be a challenge right now, try to maintain a clean and organized bedroom as best as you can. A room like this helps you to feel more relaxed, and that is good preparation for sleep.

Décor

When it comes to new décor, shop online for colors that are soothing and relaxing. Nature’s colors – blues, greens and browns – are ideal. Think of the sky, a field of trees, a beautiful meadow: this is the feeling you want to evoke. Warm colors signify activity and are energizing, so avoid colors like bright reds, pinks and oranges. If you like those tones, go for muted versions such as peach, maroon or lavender.

For wall décor, add artwork that makes you feel happy. A beautiful floral design is more likely to make you feel relaxed than a painting of a shipwreck, for example. Think about what you see when you first wake up in the morning and how you want it to make you feel.

It is always best to keep electronics out of the bedroom, but if you insist on having a TV in the room, consider keeping it in a media cabinet behind closed doors. You can also cover it with a pretty blanket or piece of fabric when not in use. This way you don’t have a big black void taking up valuable space in the room.

Lighting should be set on dimmers wherever possible, so you can control the light in the room and have options for how much you need during any time of day.

Comfort is Key

Feng shui recognizes how important it is that the bedroom be a comfortable place to rest. The room needs to be cool – between 65 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit is good. The room should also have good window treatments to block out light from outside. Most importantly, your mattress is the foundation of a good night’s sleep. Invest in the best mattress you can afford. And make sure your mattress continues to support you with time. Mattresses generally need to be replaced at least every 7 years, so keep checking to make sure your mattress is in good shape.

Bedding is also important. Pure cotton is best, as it breathes. A standard rule of thumb is that the higher the thread count, the softer the sheets. Blankets should also be soft and cozy. And don’t go crazy with the pillows! Beds with too many decorative pillows can feel cluttered and crowded. You need one great pillow to actually sleep on – one that works for your preferred sleep position.

A good night’s sleep prepares us for a good day’s activity. When we implement some of these feng shui strategies in the bedroom, it helps us to have good energy, too!

Sweet dreams!

Lissa

This blog provides general information about sleep and sleep products. The words and other content provided in this blog, and in any linked materials, are not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified heath care professional. This blog should not be construed as medical advice or used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition. If the reader or any other person has a medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed physician or other health care professional. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health or the health of others. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog or elsewhere on bettersleep.org. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.