Will Your Mattress Come Between You?

Little things mean a lot in a relationship. Unfortunately, it's the insignificant details -- such as squeezing the toothpaste or emptying the garbage -- that can often bring the greatest discord for couples. But what if the problem literally leaves you sleepless? If so, you're not alone. Many couples have difficulty sleeping well on the same bed and efforts to compromise often threaten the quality of their sleep.

According to the Better Sleep Council, 37 percent of men and women say their spouse is more comfortable sleeping on their bed than they are. Furthermore, one in four couples report that they would sleep better if they did not sleep in the same bed.

"Sharing your bed with cover thieves, snorers, and tossers and turners can make it difficult to get a good night's sleep," says Dr. Gary Zammit of the Sleep Disorders Institute at St. Luke's -- Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. "However, most couples do not realize that their bed is preventing them from sleeping well because it is too firm or too soft for one of the individuals."

Technology has now made it easier for those couples who cannot agree on the firmness of their mattress. "Fortunately, there are new and important advances in bed design that offer choices for couples," says Dr. Zammit.

Finding your Sleep Number

One of these choices is The Sleep Number Bed by Select Comfort with dual adjustable air chambers that allow each partner to individually adjust the firmness of their side of the bed to their SLEEP NUMBER. A Sleep Number is a number between zero and 100 which represents the ideal combination of mattress comfort, firmness and support for each individual on a Sleep Number bed. Interestingly, Select Comfort customer survey results show that 90 percent of people have a different Sleep Number than their partner.

Working Together for a Better Night's Sleep

There are plenty of ways couples can work together to get a better night's sleep. The following tips will help couples bid farewell to sleepless nights:

1. Choose a mattress that is comfortable for you. Since no two people are alike, the Sleep Number bed by Select Comfort is designed so that each side of the bed can be adjusted according to personal preference. You can find your Sleep Number at www.sleepnumber.com.

2. Create a bedtime ritual. Your body will recognize the pattern over time and it will act as a trigger to unwind.

3. Avoid using your bedroom as a workspace. Reserving this room for sleep will allow your body and mind to forget the worries of the day and drift off to sleep.

4. Avoid exercise two to three hours before bedtime.

5. Keep your sleeping space as cool and dark as possible -- a room that is too warm or humid can disrupt sleep.

6. Wear earplugs if noise disrupts your sleep.

7. Use a light, clean aromatherapy fragrance in your bedroom to create a relaxing environment.

8. Take a warm (not hot) bath before bed.

9. Avoid caffeine several hours before bedtime. Try a warm cup of caffeine-free herbal tea instead.

10. If you can't sleep, don't stay in bed. Get up and go to another room to read or watch TV.

For more information about the Sleep Number bed by Select Comfort, call 1-800-535-BEDS or visit the Web site at www.selectcomfort.com. Sleep Number beds are also available at Sleep Number Stores by Select Comfort and SELECT COMFORT stores at leading malls nationwide.

Courtesy of ARA Content, www.aracontent.com, e-mail: info@aracontent.com