Win a €1,000 mattress voucher for The Sleep Shop

The Sleep Shop – Because Sleep Matters

We are all aware that diet, exercise, stress and physical fitness all contribute to our overall well-being, but what about sleep? The Sleep Shop has the expertise you need to pick the right mattress to guarantee the very best sleep.

The number of health problems associated with sleep deprivation is alarming, with two-thirds of adults not getting adequate or quality sleep. The health problems associated with sleep deprivation include a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, increased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, increased risk of cancer and weight gain. A lack of sleep is al so a leading cause of car accidents.

What should you look for in a mattress?

There are many things that need to be considered and each person is unique. A few things that have a bearing on the decision are: old injuries, preference, size and sleeping arrangement. This is why we fit the customer to the mattress. Is the most expensive mattress the best? Not necessarily! One thing that is for certain is that the bigger the better. On average people move 40-60 times per night so there should be some space to ensure comfort, especially if sharing a bed. A standard double bed is 4’6”, with a couple sleeping in it this is 2’3” per person, or the same amount of space a child had in a cot. A pocket-sprung mattress is optimal for couples as it reduces sleep disturbance and will improve quality of sleep for both people.

How often should you replace your mattress? Over time, a mattress will gradually lose support and collect dust mites and allergens! Replacing it a minimum of every eight years is recommended.

Pillows are the second important factor to take into consideration. Head size, size of shoulder to ear, mattress firmness, sleeping position, preferred position and previous injury should influence your choice of pillow. Pillows should be replaced every two years for reasons of support and hygiene. Sleep hygiene is another important factor. This refers to the environment in which you sleep: the room temperature should be kept between 16-18°C, with good air quality, routinely cleaned fresh sheets and pastel or calming colours are also helpful. Create complete darkness with black-out blinds or an eye mask and keep LEDs, blue lights, TVs and computers ou t of the sleeping area with a pre-sleep ritual and waking ritual help enhance the overall sleeping quality.

At The Sleep Shop, we believe that to live well you need to sleep well. With consistent and high quality sleep, one can expect an increased ability to learn, improved memory, enhanced creativity, logic and decision-making. Adequate sleep also improves the immune system, helps fight malignancy, prevents infection, wards off sickness, the microbiome of the gut flourishes and there is improved cardiovascular health.

The Sleep Shop is the first retailer in Ireland to have a house chiropractor offering a free, no obligation fitting service for both mattresses and pillows. The Sleep Shop is located on the Dublin Road, Ankers Bower, Athlone. For more information, visit www.thesleepshop.ie or call 086-084 6501 For your chance to win this blissful prize, simply answer the question below:

How often is it recommended you change your mattress? Is it: a) 6 years b) 8 years c) 19 years