Wednesday, July 12, 2017
American Down & Feather: How to Choose a Pillow
American Down & Feather: How to Choose a Pillow: Pillows. They're the last thing you feel before you fall asleep. Since we spend a third of our lives sleeping, it's important ...
How to Choose a Pillow
Pillows. They're the last thing you feel before you fall asleep. Since we spend a third of our lives sleeping, it's important that you have a pillow that is comfortable and provides you with a great night of sleep. Here are some tips on choosing a pillow:
First, determine what your sleeping position is. Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach? The way you sleep is going to give you an idea of the firmness the pillow needs to be. Back sleepers need medium support that provides the perfect position for your head and neck. Side sleepers need firm pillows that will provide an even sleeping surface. Stomach sleepers should have a soft pillow to ensure that the head and neck stays at a natural and comfortable angle. If you find you change your sleeping position throughout the night the best route is a medium pillow that can fit all positions.
Decide what you would like the fill to be. If you are concerned about any allergies, avoid down and feather as they can cause an allergic reaction. There are plenty of alternatives when it comes to pillow fill.
Did you know that there are multiple pillow sizes to choose from? Just like a bed, pillows come in a variety of sizes. Typical sizes are standard, queen, king and Euro. Euro sizes are square and are typically pillows that you don't sleep on, they're there for looks. King pillows and long and require a king size pillow case, perfect for king size beds. Queen pillows go well with a full or queen bed, using a standard pillow case. Standard pillows work well on twin beds or with two on a full or queen bed.
Now that you know a little more about pillows it will be easier for you to know which route to take when you are choosing a pillow.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Sleep Tips for Anybody
Why do we need to sleep when we are so busy and could use more hours in the day just to accomplish what needs to be done? Sleep is a very important part of your life, without it you cannot function properly. Here are some sleep tips for anybody thanks to sleepfoundation.org.
Stick to the same bedtime and wake up time, even on the weekends.
This helps to regulate your body's clock and could help you fall asleep and stay asleep for the night.Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual.
A relaxing, routine activity right before bedtime conducted away from bright lights helps separate your sleep time from activities that can cause excitement, stress or anxiety which can make it more difficult to fall asleep, get sound and deep sleep or remain asleep.Avoid naps, especially in the afternoon.
Power napping may help you get through the day, but if you find that you can't fall asleep at bedtime, eliminating even short catnaps may help.Exercise daily.
Vigorous exercise is best, but even light exercise is better than no activity. Exercise at any time of day, but not at the expense of your sleep.Evaluate your room.
Design your sleep environment to establish the conditions you need for sleep. Your bedroom should be cool – between 60 and 67 degrees. Your bedroom should also be free from any noise that can disturb your sleep. Finally, your bedroom should be free from any light. Check your room for noises or other distractions. This includes a bed partner's sleep disruptions such as snoring. Consider using blackout curtains, eye shades, ear plugs, "white noise" machines, humidifiers, fans and other devices.Sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows.
Make sure your mattress is comfortable and supportive. The one you have been using for years may have exceeded its life expectancy – about 9 or 10 years for most good quality mattresses. Have comfortable pillows and make the room attractive and inviting for sleep but also free of allergens that might affect you and objects that might cause you to slip or fall if you have to get up during the night.Use bright light to help manage your circadian rhythms.
Avoid bright light in the evening and expose yourself to sunlight in the morning. This will keep your circadian rhythms in check.Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and heavy meals in the evening.
Alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine can disrupt sleep. Eating big or spicy meals can cause discomfort from indigestion that can make it hard to sleep. It is good to finish eating at least 2-3 hours before bedtime.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Your Brain Doesn't Stop When You're Asleep
Did you know that your brain does not stop when you're sleeping? Research has shown that your brain is very active while you're sleeping. Here are just some of the things that your brain focuses on.
Your brain processes information and prepares for actions during sleep. A recent study found the brain processes complex stimuli during sleep and then uses the information to make decisions while awake.
Another thing your brain does while you're asleep is form new memories, consolidate older ones and linking memories together. This happens during REM and non-REM sleep. Have you ever heard that sleep is highly important when it comes to learning? A teacher has probably told you that before, and now studies have shown that sleeping before you learn will help your brain prepare for initial formation of memories. Sleep after you learn is important to help save new information as well. Without sleep, your ability to learn information can drop up to 40%.
Your brain doesn't stop when you're asleep, because it is also clearing out toxins at the same time. During sleep, the brain clears out damaging molecules associated with neurodegeneration.
If these are not good enough reasons to convince you of the importance of sleep, then read on for more information on what your brain does while you're asleep: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/28/brain-sleep-_n_5863736.html?ir=Healthy+Living
Your brain processes information and prepares for actions during sleep. A recent study found the brain processes complex stimuli during sleep and then uses the information to make decisions while awake.
Another thing your brain does while you're asleep is form new memories, consolidate older ones and linking memories together. This happens during REM and non-REM sleep. Have you ever heard that sleep is highly important when it comes to learning? A teacher has probably told you that before, and now studies have shown that sleeping before you learn will help your brain prepare for initial formation of memories. Sleep after you learn is important to help save new information as well. Without sleep, your ability to learn information can drop up to 40%.
Your brain doesn't stop when you're asleep, because it is also clearing out toxins at the same time. During sleep, the brain clears out damaging molecules associated with neurodegeneration.
If these are not good enough reasons to convince you of the importance of sleep, then read on for more information on what your brain does while you're asleep: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/28/brain-sleep-_n_5863736.html?ir=Healthy+Living
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Did you Catch That Nasty Cold?
You might have heard that there is a respiratory illness sending many children to hospitals this season. It is a severe illness that has taken over many other states besides Colorado, starting as a common cold but continuing into something much worse. What are some things you can do to avoid this nasty cold for you and for your family?
1. If you or a loved one has a respiratory problem to begin with, such as asthma, make sure you are taking all medications necessary. This will help if you do catch a cold to lessen the harshness of the illness.
2. As always, wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. After every time you use the rest room, cook a meal and sneeze, you should be washing your hands to ensure that this cold doesn't spread, especially if you already show signs of a cold.
2. People who are already sick are the ones you should avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups and eating utensils with.
3. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces. This includes things from doorknobs, toys, Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. A good cleaning around the house with disinfectant can help with any frequently touched surfaces.
4. With kids, make sure vaccinations are up to do. The influenza vaccine is one that is highly important since it can help avoid the flu any time of the year.
By taking these steps you can help avoid that cold that could knock you out and keep you from work for a few days. As winter nears us, it's important that we keep our health in check.
1. If you or a loved one has a respiratory problem to begin with, such as asthma, make sure you are taking all medications necessary. This will help if you do catch a cold to lessen the harshness of the illness.
2. As always, wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. After every time you use the rest room, cook a meal and sneeze, you should be washing your hands to ensure that this cold doesn't spread, especially if you already show signs of a cold.
2. People who are already sick are the ones you should avoid kissing, hugging and sharing cups and eating utensils with.
3. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces. This includes things from doorknobs, toys, Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds. A good cleaning around the house with disinfectant can help with any frequently touched surfaces.
4. With kids, make sure vaccinations are up to do. The influenza vaccine is one that is highly important since it can help avoid the flu any time of the year.
By taking these steps you can help avoid that cold that could knock you out and keep you from work for a few days. As winter nears us, it's important that we keep our health in check.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Prepare Your Home for Fall
Did you notice the leaves changing colors and you have slowly been adding more layers to your outfits? It's that time of the year again; the time where you dreadfully are aware that winter is upon us. Here are some ways you can prepare your home for fall.
1. It's important to always think of that one way you keep warm in your house every winter: the furnace. Without heat you are going to be pretty miserable, so to avoid being miserable look up your favorite professional that will inspect your furnace and provide you with the comfort in knowing you will stay warm and cozy this winter. It's always best to hire a professional instead of trying to inspect your furnace yourself so you know it is working as efficiently and effectively as possible.
2. One thing you can do for your furnace is change the filter. A fresh filter will help your furnace run smoothly as well.
3. If you have a fireplace, make sure you have a professional clean the chute and make sure nothing is clogging the fireplace as well. You will want your fireplace to produce a warm atmosphere, not a smoky and hazardous atmosphere.
4. Do a home safety check. This means checking all of the smoke and CO detectors, fire extinguishers should be full and get rid of any fire dangers such as old newspaper. Making your home as safe as possible should always be a priority. Your home needs to be prepared for fall before it becomes an issue.
5. Make sure outside is safe as well. Gutters can easily get clogged from all of the falling leaves as well as downspouts. You don't want to be dealing with anything outdoors such as your gutters when it's the middle of winter and a blizzard is blowing through.
6. Inspect your roof for any leaks, damage and corrossion. A faulty roof can be a huge problem in the winter time, so make sure that none of the summer storms caused any substantial damage.
These are just a few of the ways you can prepare your home for fall. Fall is a great time of the year and a time where you should be spending your time carving pumpkins, going to corn mazes and other fun events, not a time where you should be dealing with issues because you ignored them to begin with!
1. It's important to always think of that one way you keep warm in your house every winter: the furnace. Without heat you are going to be pretty miserable, so to avoid being miserable look up your favorite professional that will inspect your furnace and provide you with the comfort in knowing you will stay warm and cozy this winter. It's always best to hire a professional instead of trying to inspect your furnace yourself so you know it is working as efficiently and effectively as possible.
2. One thing you can do for your furnace is change the filter. A fresh filter will help your furnace run smoothly as well.
3. If you have a fireplace, make sure you have a professional clean the chute and make sure nothing is clogging the fireplace as well. You will want your fireplace to produce a warm atmosphere, not a smoky and hazardous atmosphere.
4. Do a home safety check. This means checking all of the smoke and CO detectors, fire extinguishers should be full and get rid of any fire dangers such as old newspaper. Making your home as safe as possible should always be a priority. Your home needs to be prepared for fall before it becomes an issue.
5. Make sure outside is safe as well. Gutters can easily get clogged from all of the falling leaves as well as downspouts. You don't want to be dealing with anything outdoors such as your gutters when it's the middle of winter and a blizzard is blowing through.
6. Inspect your roof for any leaks, damage and corrossion. A faulty roof can be a huge problem in the winter time, so make sure that none of the summer storms caused any substantial damage.
These are just a few of the ways you can prepare your home for fall. Fall is a great time of the year and a time where you should be spending your time carving pumpkins, going to corn mazes and other fun events, not a time where you should be dealing with issues because you ignored them to begin with!
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Do you sleep walk?
Do you or somebody you know suffer from sleep walking? Sleep walking is a serious issue because it can cause harm. Although mostly children suffer from sleep walking, adults can also have the problem as well. Let's learn more about sleep walking.
Approximately 15% of children between 4-12 years of age will experience sleepwalking. Genetic tendencies could be the cause, but scientists are not positive that genetics have anything to do with sleep walking. It is also much more likely to occur if a person is sleep deprived because when they are sleep walking they remain in a deep sleep, so when someone is sleep deprived it makes it harder to wake them.
Most people do not remember sleep walking. Since it is a deep sleep, other complex behaviors can happen such as talking and sitting up in bed. Many people have been told not to wake a sleep walker as it could be dangerous, but it can be even more dangerous not to wake a sleep walker.
Between 1 and 15% of people sleep walk. There is no association with psychiatric or psychological problems, but common triggers include sleep deprivation, sedative agents, febrile illness and certain medications.
Sleep walkers might also experience:
American Down and Feather can help you find the best products to provide you with the best night of sleep possible! Contact us today.
Approximately 15% of children between 4-12 years of age will experience sleepwalking. Genetic tendencies could be the cause, but scientists are not positive that genetics have anything to do with sleep walking. It is also much more likely to occur if a person is sleep deprived because when they are sleep walking they remain in a deep sleep, so when someone is sleep deprived it makes it harder to wake them.
Most people do not remember sleep walking. Since it is a deep sleep, other complex behaviors can happen such as talking and sitting up in bed. Many people have been told not to wake a sleep walker as it could be dangerous, but it can be even more dangerous not to wake a sleep walker.
Between 1 and 15% of people sleep walk. There is no association with psychiatric or psychological problems, but common triggers include sleep deprivation, sedative agents, febrile illness and certain medications.
Sleep walkers might also experience:
- Sleeptalking
- Little or no memory of the event
- Difficulty arousing the sleepwalker during an episode
- Inappropriate behavior such as urinating in closets (more common in children)
- Screaming (when sleepwalking occurs in conjunction with sleep terrors)
American Down and Feather can help you find the best products to provide you with the best night of sleep possible! Contact us today.
Thursday, September 4, 2014
ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
I'm sure you've heard of it by now - the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. It's a great way to raise money for a terrible disease and everyone is posting their videos up on Facebook. If you haven't seen them yet, a few great ones to watch are Mark Zuckerberg, Chris Pratt, Conan O'Brien and Bill Gates. Those are just some videos to give you a feel for what the Ice Bucket Challenge is although anybody can do it!
So what is ALS? ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS eventually leads to death when the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. Patients in later stages may become totally paralyzed when voluntary muscle action is affected. Jean-Martin Charcot found the disease in 1869, but it wasn't brought to attention until 1939 when it ended the career of Lou Gehrig, a famous baseball player.
This disease does not have a cure which is why so many people have participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge. If you haven't, do the Ice Bucket Challenge, donate to http://www.alsa.org/about-als/ and upload your video to Facebook! Share with American Down and Feather so we can see them all!
So what is ALS? ALS, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS eventually leads to death when the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. Patients in later stages may become totally paralyzed when voluntary muscle action is affected. Jean-Martin Charcot found the disease in 1869, but it wasn't brought to attention until 1939 when it ended the career of Lou Gehrig, a famous baseball player.
This disease does not have a cure which is why so many people have participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge. If you haven't, do the Ice Bucket Challenge, donate to http://www.alsa.org/about-als/ and upload your video to Facebook! Share with American Down and Feather so we can see them all!
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Why is Denver so great?
Denver, Colorado is known for many great things. Awesome outdoor activities, amazing weather, incredible craft beer and the economy is only improving. Let's talk more about what makes Denver such a great place for you.
1. If you like sports then Denver is the place for you. Not only does Denver have the great Broncos NFL team, but they actually do have four major sports teams including the Avalanche, Nuggets and Rockies. There's also two professional lacrosse teams to entertain you as well.
2. For music lovers, there is no better place to go for a concert than Red Rocks. Just a little outside of Denver, Red Rocks hosts many famous musicians as well as comedians, movies, work out groups and even church services.
3. The food is phenomenal. Denver is known for the green chili which is used makin hatch chiles from New Mexico and typically comes smothering a burrito or tamale.
4. Mentioned earlier, Denver is known for its craft beer. Many cities have the saying that you can't walk a block without running into a Starbucks or McDonalds, well in Denver the saying is that you cant walk a block without running into a brewery. You really can't go wrong with any of them either.
5. Just as there are breweries, there are parks as well! Denverites love to spend time outdoors and if they can't make it to the mountains there is still a numerous amount of parks that you can go to whether it's for a good workout, play some sports, have a picnic or just spend some time outside reading a book.
6. Love riding your bike? Denver has the Cherry Creek Bike Path which is a 40-mile route that starts Downtown Denver and goes all over to suburbs such as Aurora, Centennial and Parker.
Have you fallen in love with Denver yet?! If you haven't, consider the museums, the mountains that are oh-so-close, and the great variety of people that you'll meet. Denver is a mecca for greatness and will continue to be so as it grows. We're proud to be a Denver-based business!
1. If you like sports then Denver is the place for you. Not only does Denver have the great Broncos NFL team, but they actually do have four major sports teams including the Avalanche, Nuggets and Rockies. There's also two professional lacrosse teams to entertain you as well.
2. For music lovers, there is no better place to go for a concert than Red Rocks. Just a little outside of Denver, Red Rocks hosts many famous musicians as well as comedians, movies, work out groups and even church services.
3. The food is phenomenal. Denver is known for the green chili which is used makin hatch chiles from New Mexico and typically comes smothering a burrito or tamale.
4. Mentioned earlier, Denver is known for its craft beer. Many cities have the saying that you can't walk a block without running into a Starbucks or McDonalds, well in Denver the saying is that you cant walk a block without running into a brewery. You really can't go wrong with any of them either.
5. Just as there are breweries, there are parks as well! Denverites love to spend time outdoors and if they can't make it to the mountains there is still a numerous amount of parks that you can go to whether it's for a good workout, play some sports, have a picnic or just spend some time outside reading a book.
6. Love riding your bike? Denver has the Cherry Creek Bike Path which is a 40-mile route that starts Downtown Denver and goes all over to suburbs such as Aurora, Centennial and Parker.
Have you fallen in love with Denver yet?! If you haven't, consider the museums, the mountains that are oh-so-close, and the great variety of people that you'll meet. Denver is a mecca for greatness and will continue to be so as it grows. We're proud to be a Denver-based business!
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Cities with the most sleep
Everywhere you live there is a different lifestyle. Whether you live somewhere where people go on hikes after work or you live somewhere where you find there is nowhere to go spend time outside so you spend the time watching television. A new study just came out showing what cities get the most amount of sleep.
Jawbone, the makers of UP, which is a digitized wristband tracking how users move and sleep, released a new dataset to determine who gets the most sleep. Melbourne is where people get the most sleep with Tokyo getting the least amount of sleep. Overall, Americans just need more sleep overall.
Although Up users might not show are very accurate reading, it can show that people tend to need more sleep. What else did this study reveal?
People in areas with a large population like New York have a grid-routine where they get up early on weekdays, move little during the day and sleep in more on weekends. They go to bed later every weekday and go to sleep the earliest on Sundays. Orlando and Beijing there is a distinction between how users sleep on weekends and weekdays compared to places such as New York.
Do you think that where you live determines how much sleep you get every day?
Jawbone, the makers of UP, which is a digitized wristband tracking how users move and sleep, released a new dataset to determine who gets the most sleep. Melbourne is where people get the most sleep with Tokyo getting the least amount of sleep. Overall, Americans just need more sleep overall.
Although Up users might not show are very accurate reading, it can show that people tend to need more sleep. What else did this study reveal?
People in areas with a large population like New York have a grid-routine where they get up early on weekdays, move little during the day and sleep in more on weekends. They go to bed later every weekday and go to sleep the earliest on Sundays. Orlando and Beijing there is a distinction between how users sleep on weekends and weekdays compared to places such as New York.
Do you think that where you live determines how much sleep you get every day?
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Waking up Sore
You know there has been at least one time that you have woken up after a whole night of sleeping full of aches and pains. Waking up sore is a terrible feeling and there are many reasons for you to wake up feeling sore. Here are some of those reasons you might be waking up sore.
1. Illness is largely a reason to wake up sore, or to feel sore in general. When you come down with a cold or the flu your body is trying to fight to get you back to healthy mode. This means your body is never fully resting, hence the feeling of being sore when you wake up.
2. Exercise can oftentimes cause you to wake up feeling sore as well. Although this is a soreness that you generally feel great about, it can be annoying to feel sore after having a great workout session. This soreness will go away once your body gets used to you working out.
3. Anxiety can also cause you to wake up feeling sore. Many of us suffer from anxiety for a wide variety of reasons such as our jobs, finances, relationships and more. Anxiety can cause your muscles to tighten up, giving you a sore feeling after a night of sleep.
4. An underlying disease can also cause soreness in the morning. Fibromyalgia is a common cause of soreness, which is a chronic widespread pain that a doctor can help you diagnose. A vitamin deficiency and sleep disorders can also cause you to wake up not feeling well rested.
If you are consistently waking up sore, talking to your doctor is the best way to go about solving the problem at hand. It could be any one of the issues stated above, but before you jump to conclusions analyze your daily routine and see if you can find what could be causing the issue to begin with.
1. Illness is largely a reason to wake up sore, or to feel sore in general. When you come down with a cold or the flu your body is trying to fight to get you back to healthy mode. This means your body is never fully resting, hence the feeling of being sore when you wake up.
2. Exercise can oftentimes cause you to wake up feeling sore as well. Although this is a soreness that you generally feel great about, it can be annoying to feel sore after having a great workout session. This soreness will go away once your body gets used to you working out.
3. Anxiety can also cause you to wake up feeling sore. Many of us suffer from anxiety for a wide variety of reasons such as our jobs, finances, relationships and more. Anxiety can cause your muscles to tighten up, giving you a sore feeling after a night of sleep.
4. An underlying disease can also cause soreness in the morning. Fibromyalgia is a common cause of soreness, which is a chronic widespread pain that a doctor can help you diagnose. A vitamin deficiency and sleep disorders can also cause you to wake up not feeling well rested.
If you are consistently waking up sore, talking to your doctor is the best way to go about solving the problem at hand. It could be any one of the issues stated above, but before you jump to conclusions analyze your daily routine and see if you can find what could be causing the issue to begin with.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Great Apps to Improve your Sleep
We're all attached to our phones. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. We use our phones for work, to keep in touch with long distance family and friends, check our social media accounts and play games. Maybe you also use your phone to track your nutrition, read the news and for your daily routines. Another reason to use your phone is to help improve your sleep. Here is a list of great apps to improve your sleep.
1. Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock. We've all heard it a million times: getting into a sleep cycle is one of the best ways to ensure you feel well rested. This app analyzes and graphs your sleep quality, lets you add sleep notes and wakes up at your lightest sleep time by using soft tones to wake you. Now doesn't that sound great?! For the real deal, it'll cost you 99 cents, but you can find trial apps and ones like it for free.
2. Sleep. By using soothing lullabies and relaxing music, this app will help release all of the tensions from the day and relax your mind. This one also costs 99 cents.
3. Feeling like an insomniac? Insomnia Cure has all of the information you need to help battle insomnia from learning tips and tools that will help you form a stress-free natural sleep. A little more costly, but rated highly, this will cost you $2.99.
4. Sleep Pillow. This white noise app has 70 high-quality sounds such as bubbling streams, wind chimes, rain and much more. You can mix any of these into personalized combinations to help calm you into a great sleep. This app runs at $1.99, with a trial run that is free!
These four apps will help you improve your sleep, all at a cost lower than trying a new thing and having it not work for you. Everybody has their own method to improving their sleep, finding what works best for you is the sure way to do it! Keep in mind most of these apps do offer free trial periods, so you don't have to buy until you know that's what you want. Happy sleeping!
1. Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock. We've all heard it a million times: getting into a sleep cycle is one of the best ways to ensure you feel well rested. This app analyzes and graphs your sleep quality, lets you add sleep notes and wakes up at your lightest sleep time by using soft tones to wake you. Now doesn't that sound great?! For the real deal, it'll cost you 99 cents, but you can find trial apps and ones like it for free.
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| photo credit: http://www.justbedding.com.au/blog/could-your-iphone-help-you-to-sleep-better/ |
2. Sleep. By using soothing lullabies and relaxing music, this app will help release all of the tensions from the day and relax your mind. This one also costs 99 cents.
3. Feeling like an insomniac? Insomnia Cure has all of the information you need to help battle insomnia from learning tips and tools that will help you form a stress-free natural sleep. A little more costly, but rated highly, this will cost you $2.99.
4. Sleep Pillow. This white noise app has 70 high-quality sounds such as bubbling streams, wind chimes, rain and much more. You can mix any of these into personalized combinations to help calm you into a great sleep. This app runs at $1.99, with a trial run that is free!
These four apps will help you improve your sleep, all at a cost lower than trying a new thing and having it not work for you. Everybody has their own method to improving their sleep, finding what works best for you is the sure way to do it! Keep in mind most of these apps do offer free trial periods, so you don't have to buy until you know that's what you want. Happy sleeping!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Lack of Sleep Hurts Memory
Have you ever found yourself struggling to remember certain things when you've had a rough night of sleep? A recent study shows that lack of sleep can hurt your memory. Misidentifications are thought to be the leading cause of wrongful convictions in areas such as criminal justice in the U.S.
People are getting less sleep each night than they ever have before, which is causing for these issues. Participants in the study who were kept awake for 24 hours, or got five or fewer hours of sleep, were more likely to mix up event details than those who were well rested. Memory distortion is more likely to form in people who repeatedly get low amounts of sleep every night.
Lack of sleep can hurt your memory, making it even more important that you get your full night of sleep every night. American Down and Feather can help you by providing you with comfortable pillows, comforters and more! Contact us today to learn about our products.
People are getting less sleep each night than they ever have before, which is causing for these issues. Participants in the study who were kept awake for 24 hours, or got five or fewer hours of sleep, were more likely to mix up event details than those who were well rested. Memory distortion is more likely to form in people who repeatedly get low amounts of sleep every night.
Lack of sleep can hurt your memory, making it even more important that you get your full night of sleep every night. American Down and Feather can help you by providing you with comfortable pillows, comforters and more! Contact us today to learn about our products.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Sleep Disorders Raise Risk of Alzheimer's
A recent study has shown that sleep disorders might increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Copenhagen is set to introduce the findings over six days.
Sleep plays a crucial role in the aging brain's health. Those who have been diagnosed with sleep disorders are 30 percent more likely to suffer dementia than those without sleep disorder issues.
Alzheimer's has been a growing diseases as it affects more than 5 million Americans and the number is expected to continue to rise to 16 million people by 2050.
Read more about Alzheimer's and sleep disorders being related here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/sleep-disorders-may-raise-risk-of-alzheimers-new-research-shows/2014/07/13/acce3d9e-0a09-11e4-a0dd-f2b22a257353_story.html.
Sleep plays a crucial role in the aging brain's health. Those who have been diagnosed with sleep disorders are 30 percent more likely to suffer dementia than those without sleep disorder issues.
Alzheimer's has been a growing diseases as it affects more than 5 million Americans and the number is expected to continue to rise to 16 million people by 2050.
Read more about Alzheimer's and sleep disorders being related here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/sleep-disorders-may-raise-risk-of-alzheimers-new-research-shows/2014/07/13/acce3d9e-0a09-11e4-a0dd-f2b22a257353_story.html.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
The History of Sleep Pillows
It's something you have probably never, ever thought about. The history of sleep pillows. You lay your head down, go to sleep and that's it. Maybe you consider how much money you want to spend on that pillow, but have you ever thought about where pillows originate from? Well, after reading this you will be able to educate all of your friends with the history of sleep pillows!
Wealthy men in Asia were the first to actually use pillows. Using sophisticated dyes and sewing techniques made the pillows to be viewed as prized commodities in China and Persia, later followed by Medieval Europe. Ancient Asian cultures believed that a soft pillow would steal energy from your body while you slept, so they used hard pillow blocks with a half-moon cut out for the neck.
A traditional Chinese pillow are hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal or porcelain. Stone blocks kept the head off the ground and prevented bugs from entering your ears.
In England pillows were used by women giving birth, and only by them. King Henry VIII banned the use of pillows because they were seen as a status symbol. The Industrial Revolution provided a high rise in decorated pillows as they became more affordable with mass production. These pillows can still be found and purchased in antique shops.
So if you are ever thinking that your "soft" pillow just isn't soft enough, consider an ancient pillow used of stone. Or if you're worried about bugs getting in your ears, know that stone is the way to go. Although American Down and Feather does not carry any stone pillows, we can find the perfect pillow for you!
Wealthy men in Asia were the first to actually use pillows. Using sophisticated dyes and sewing techniques made the pillows to be viewed as prized commodities in China and Persia, later followed by Medieval Europe. Ancient Asian cultures believed that a soft pillow would steal energy from your body while you slept, so they used hard pillow blocks with a half-moon cut out for the neck.
A traditional Chinese pillow are hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal or porcelain. Stone blocks kept the head off the ground and prevented bugs from entering your ears.
In England pillows were used by women giving birth, and only by them. King Henry VIII banned the use of pillows because they were seen as a status symbol. The Industrial Revolution provided a high rise in decorated pillows as they became more affordable with mass production. These pillows can still be found and purchased in antique shops.
So if you are ever thinking that your "soft" pillow just isn't soft enough, consider an ancient pillow used of stone. Or if you're worried about bugs getting in your ears, know that stone is the way to go. Although American Down and Feather does not carry any stone pillows, we can find the perfect pillow for you!
Pillows
were originally used mainly by wealthy men in Asia. They were also
found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes
and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form,
with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China
and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows
became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth and weak men
should use one. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of
decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows
are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead
of stuffed fabric. Some ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made out of
stone. - See more at:
http://www.pillowloft.com/pillow-facts/fun-facts-about-pillows#sthash.obrtqKzx.dpuf
Pillows
were originally used mainly by wealthy men in Asia. They were also
found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes
and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form,
with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China
and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows
became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth and weak men
should use one. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of
decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows
are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead
of stuffed fabric. Some ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made out of
stone. - See more at:
http://www.pillowloft.com/pillow-facts/fun-facts-about-pillows#sthash.obrtqKzx.dpuf
Pillows
were originally used mainly by wealthy men in Asia. They were also
found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes
and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form,
with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China
and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows
became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth and weak men
should use one. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of
decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows
are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead
of stuffed fabric. Some ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made out of
stone. - See more at:
http://www.pillowloft.com/pillow-facts/fun-facts-about-pillows#sthash.obrtqKzx.dpuf
Pillows
were originally used mainly by wealthy men in Asia. They were also
found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes
and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form,
with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China
and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows
became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth and weak men
should use one. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of
decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows
are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead
of stuffed fabric. Some ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made out of
stone. - See more at:
http://www.pillowloft.com/pillow-facts/fun-facts-about-pillows#sthash.obrtqKzx.dpuf
Pillows
were originally used mainly by wealthy men in Asia. They were also
found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes
and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form,
with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China
and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows
became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth and weak men
should use one. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of
decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows
are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead
of stuffed fabric. Some ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made out of
stone. - See more at:
http://www.pillowloft.com/pillow-facts/fun-facts-about-pillows#sthash.obrtqKzx.dpuf
Pillows
were originally used mainly by wealthy men in Asia. They were also
found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes
and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form,
with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China
and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows
became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth and weak men
should use one. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of
decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows
are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead
of stuffed fabric. Some ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made out of
stone. - See more at:
http://www.pillowloft.com/pillow-facts/fun-facts-about-pillows#sthash.obrtqKzx.dpuf
Pillows
were originally used mainly by wealthy men in Asia. They were also
found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes
and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form,
with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China
and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows
became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth and weak men
should use one. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of
decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows
are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead
of stuffed fabric. Some ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made out of
stone. - See more at:
http://www.pillowloft.com/pillow-facts/fun-facts-about-pillows#sthash.obrtqKzx.dpuf
Pillows
were originally used mainly by wealthy men in Asia. They were also
found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes
and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form,
with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China
and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows
became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth and weak men
should use one. The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of
decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows
are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead
of stuffed fabric. Some ancient Egyptians slept on pillows made out of
stone. - See more at:
http://www.pillowloft.com/pillow-facts/fun-facts-about-pillows#sthash.obrtqKzx.dpuf
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
What are YOUR fourth of July plans?
The fourth is just in a few short days. It's a great holiday meant for spending time with family and friends, grilling, being by a body of water and soaking up the sun. It's also popular for watching a fireworks show! What are your fourth of July plans? Here are some ideas if you're looking for things to do this upcoming holiday.
If you're a baseball fan, The Rockies always play a fourth of July game with fireworks to follow. Although the tickets are more than a typical game it's a great way to spend the day outside with a good group of people and seeing fireworks before the night is over.
Cherry Creek North has an arts festival with international art, fun games for kids, music dance and theater. It's a great opportunity for you to let out the artsy side of you. The event is free so it's even something that won't destroy your budget!
Music lovers can go to one of the best venues in America for some music on the fourth. Sugar Ray, Uncle Cracker and Smash Mouth are set to perform at Red Rocks on the fourth. Red Rocks concerts can be more on the pricy side.
Theme parks are even celebrating the fourth with a fireworks show at Elitch Gardens. Not only is this great if you love roller coasters and other thrilling rides but they also have water slides to keep you cool! Tickets start at $34.99.
There are numerous amounts of parades all throughout Denver and the suburbs. Look in your local newspaper or search online to find times of parades!
There you have it. If there isn't something here that you will enjoy, maybe a day out in the wilderness is perfect for you, or catching a new movie! Spend your fourth of July in a way that it will be remembered. Happy Fourth of July!
If you're a baseball fan, The Rockies always play a fourth of July game with fireworks to follow. Although the tickets are more than a typical game it's a great way to spend the day outside with a good group of people and seeing fireworks before the night is over.
Cherry Creek North has an arts festival with international art, fun games for kids, music dance and theater. It's a great opportunity for you to let out the artsy side of you. The event is free so it's even something that won't destroy your budget!
Music lovers can go to one of the best venues in America for some music on the fourth. Sugar Ray, Uncle Cracker and Smash Mouth are set to perform at Red Rocks on the fourth. Red Rocks concerts can be more on the pricy side.
Theme parks are even celebrating the fourth with a fireworks show at Elitch Gardens. Not only is this great if you love roller coasters and other thrilling rides but they also have water slides to keep you cool! Tickets start at $34.99.
There are numerous amounts of parades all throughout Denver and the suburbs. Look in your local newspaper or search online to find times of parades!
There you have it. If there isn't something here that you will enjoy, maybe a day out in the wilderness is perfect for you, or catching a new movie! Spend your fourth of July in a way that it will be remembered. Happy Fourth of July!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
How to Choose a Pillow
Pillows. They're the last thing you feel before you fall asleep. Since we spend a third of our lives sleeping, it's important that you have a pillow that is comfortable and provides you with a great night of sleep. Here are some tips on choosing a pillow:
First, determine what your sleeping position is. Do you sleep on your back, side or stomach? The way you sleep is going to give you an idea of the firmness the pillow needs to be. Back sleepers need medium support that provides the perfect position for your head and neck. Side sleepers need firm pillows that will provide an even sleeping surface. Stomach sleepers should have a soft pillow to ensure that the head and neck stays at a natural and comfortable angle. If you find you change your sleeping position throughout the night the best route is a medium pillow that can fit all positions.
Decide what you would like the fill to be. If you are concerned about any allergies, avoid down and feather as they can cause an allergic reaction. There are plenty of alternatives when it comes to pillow fill.
Did you know that there are multiple pillow sizes to choose from? Just like a bed, pillows come in a variety of sizes. Typical sizes are standard, queen, king and Euro. Euro sizes are square and are typically pillows that you don't sleep on, they're there for looks. King pillows and long and require a king size pillow case, perfect for king size beds. Queen pillows go well with a full or queen bed, using a standard pillow case. Standard pillows work well on twin beds or with two on a full or queen bed.
Now that you know a little more about pillows it will be easier for you to know which route to take when you are choosing a pillow.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
How Exercise Benefits Your Sleep
You've heard it before: exercise has many great benefits for your mind and your body. It's easier said than done to get off that couch and get exercising. Exercise benefits your sleep in many ways, making you feel more energetic and positive every day. Here are some ways that exercise benefits your sleep.
1. Researches say that people who exercise on a regular basis report better quality of sleep. This is because your body is burning calories and energy, causing you to feel more relaxed and tired at the end of the day.
2. Exercise boosts your mood and causes less sleepiness during the day. Many people find working out in the morning helps them stay awake throughout the day rather than rolling out of bed and going to work.
3. Depressive symptoms are reported in fewer people who exercise. Depression can cause many sleep issues, therefore if a person exercises they are less likely to feel depressed and lose out on valuable sleep time.
4. When you sleep better you are more willing and able to get up in the morning and exercise. A great night of sleep can equal to a great morning with a work out to help you start your day correctly.
5. Exercise benefits your sleep because your body feels healthier and your metabolism is on the right track as well. When you feel healthy, your body is healthy and you are able to sleep better.
All in all, exercise and sleep go hand in hand. If you want a great night's sleep, get some exercise is. Exercise does not have to be something you force yourself to do, even going on a morning walk through the park can be just what you need!
1. Researches say that people who exercise on a regular basis report better quality of sleep. This is because your body is burning calories and energy, causing you to feel more relaxed and tired at the end of the day.
2. Exercise boosts your mood and causes less sleepiness during the day. Many people find working out in the morning helps them stay awake throughout the day rather than rolling out of bed and going to work.
3. Depressive symptoms are reported in fewer people who exercise. Depression can cause many sleep issues, therefore if a person exercises they are less likely to feel depressed and lose out on valuable sleep time.
4. When you sleep better you are more willing and able to get up in the morning and exercise. A great night of sleep can equal to a great morning with a work out to help you start your day correctly.
5. Exercise benefits your sleep because your body feels healthier and your metabolism is on the right track as well. When you feel healthy, your body is healthy and you are able to sleep better.
All in all, exercise and sleep go hand in hand. If you want a great night's sleep, get some exercise is. Exercise does not have to be something you force yourself to do, even going on a morning walk through the park can be just what you need!
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Why am I still tired?
Did you wake up after eight hours of sleep only to still feel tired? It's something everyone deals with almost every day. Our bodies feel tired, your brain feels like it never stopped and all you want to do is lay in bed all day, right? There are many reasons why you might be feeling tired even after a full night of sleep.
Fatigue affects everyone at some point in their life. Lack of sleep is one of the main reasons you will still feel tired. About one third of us deal with insomnia, a serious sleep issue that causes it hard for you to get to sleep or to stay asleep. You might think eight hours is enough sleep for you, but you might need to adjust the amount of hours you sleep for.
The food you eat before bed, or lack of food you eat, can also cause you to still feel tired. By not eating enough or eating the wrong foods, your energy levels will fluctuate throughout the day and by the end of the day when it's time to go to bed you will find it hard to get that sleep.
Depression has a large affect on your sleep as well. Known for causing emotional pain, depression also causes physical pain as well. Lack of sleep can be a sign of poor mental health, something that you should seek medical advice for.
There are many health issues that can also cause you to still feel tired. Diabetes, heart disease, urinary tract infections, underactive thyroid and anemia are just some of the examples when health issues can harm your sleep.
It is important that if you are experiencing a continuous period where you are feeling tired and down that you seek medical advice to find the cause. We all have crazy lives where sleep might not be at the top of your list, however it is important that you are well rested so you can carry on with your life.
Fatigue affects everyone at some point in their life. Lack of sleep is one of the main reasons you will still feel tired. About one third of us deal with insomnia, a serious sleep issue that causes it hard for you to get to sleep or to stay asleep. You might think eight hours is enough sleep for you, but you might need to adjust the amount of hours you sleep for.
The food you eat before bed, or lack of food you eat, can also cause you to still feel tired. By not eating enough or eating the wrong foods, your energy levels will fluctuate throughout the day and by the end of the day when it's time to go to bed you will find it hard to get that sleep.
Depression has a large affect on your sleep as well. Known for causing emotional pain, depression also causes physical pain as well. Lack of sleep can be a sign of poor mental health, something that you should seek medical advice for.
There are many health issues that can also cause you to still feel tired. Diabetes, heart disease, urinary tract infections, underactive thyroid and anemia are just some of the examples when health issues can harm your sleep.
It is important that if you are experiencing a continuous period where you are feeling tired and down that you seek medical advice to find the cause. We all have crazy lives where sleep might not be at the top of your list, however it is important that you are well rested so you can carry on with your life.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Sleeping in Summer Heat
The 90+ degree days are upon us, which means there's plenty of time to be spent outside. This also means you are going to worn down a lot quicker and feel the need to hit the pillow earlier every night. However, when it's so warm and you don't want to crank the air conditioning, how can you possibly fall asleep?! Here are some ways to help you sleep comfortably in the summer heat.
1. Keep your windows and shades closed during the day. At night, open as many as possible.
2. Change your sheets to materials that retain less heat. Light colored, lightweight cotton is a perfect example for this.
3. Adjust fans to run counter-clockwise to pull the hot air up.
4. Wear loose-fitting clothes. Or don't wear any clothes at all.
5. Take a cool shower right before bed.
6. Sleep on lower levels.
These six tips will help you sleep comfortably in the summer heat. You will find the best way possible for you to sleep, whether it is taking a shower, having lighter sheets or adjusting the fans. Happy sleeping!
1. Keep your windows and shades closed during the day. At night, open as many as possible.
2. Change your sheets to materials that retain less heat. Light colored, lightweight cotton is a perfect example for this.
3. Adjust fans to run counter-clockwise to pull the hot air up.
4. Wear loose-fitting clothes. Or don't wear any clothes at all.
5. Take a cool shower right before bed.
6. Sleep on lower levels.
These six tips will help you sleep comfortably in the summer heat. You will find the best way possible for you to sleep, whether it is taking a shower, having lighter sheets or adjusting the fans. Happy sleeping!
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