Sleep is worth taking your time over as it can affect the way you live your life! We spend roughly a third of our lives asleep and during this time our bodies rest and repair, so it is worth investing time and money to find the bed that is right for you.
Which mattress?
Which mattress is right for you will be defined by your body weight, shape and of course sleeping position and it important to note any medical issues as well as personal comfort. When trying a bed, you need to allow long enough to relax and feel what the mattress is doing for you, ideally 15-20 minutes for the first one and then long enough on the next ones so you can feel how each one is different.
Your spine should be able to rest in its natural position, and your head should also lie naturally on top and in alignment, not dropping down or being pushed up. The correct sleeping position is like the correct posture – your body is balanced and supported and there should be no stresses or strains. The correct pillow is also essential and so Hastens make them in the same factory as the beds.
When choosing a mattress we recommend natural materials which are environmentally friendly. These mattresses ‘breathe’ enabling body temperature to be regulated and providing a comfortable sleep. Materials include horse hair, cotton, wool and cashmere. Horse hair also ‘wicks’ away sweat and moisture. Natural materials are more sympathetic to our own bodies.
Buyers should also check how these mattresses are treated as some manufacturers use chemicals which can cause irritation.
Make a considered purchase
Before you make a purchase, go back several times – at different times of the day, weekends and weekdays, when you mind and body will be experiencing different levels of stress or relaxation. Your bed should be a sanctuary where you can go however stressful the day has been. Breathing deeply and slowly will help you relax more quickly. A large, brightly-lit showroom will not replicate you normal sleeping environment, so look for lower lighting and quieter music and don’t be shy of asking for a duvet if it helps you get a feel for the mattress.
A duvet should keep you warm without stifling you, using your natural body heat to maintain an ideal temperature. The weight (sometimes known as ‘tog’) you need is determined by how your body temperature fluctuates while you sleep and how warm or cool your room is. Your bedroom should ideally be on the cool side so you don’t overheat when you get into bed. Many people find their temperature goes up dramatically at night and it is important your body is able to breathe so you do not wake up hot and sweaty.
You should change your bed linen every week and wash your duvet every month or two. Bear in mind that skin and hair cells are shed every night and so regular washing will help to keep them cleaner. Once your duvet becomes stale or discoloured, you should consider changing it.
A good pillow can make a bad bed feel better
A bad pillow can make a good bed feel bad. Again, natural materials gently accommodate the shape and weight of your head and prevent it from over-heating and getting sweaty. At Hästens, we use down and feathers and do two heights of pillow - low (standard) and high (deluxe) - in 3 tensions - soft, medium and firm. Each pillow has different quantities of down and feathers to provide greater comfort or support, depending on what is required.
Which pillow depends on your sleeping position, build and personal comfort and we check that the head is properly supported – not dropping or too high – allowing the spine and shoulders to relax. All our pillows are made in the same factory as the beds, which means they are subject to the same high standards of manufacture. Materials should be held securely inside and they use 100% natural cotton cases. A pillow lasts on average 2-3 years, though much depends on how and how often it is used (some people rotate their pillows). Also, for hygiene reasons, you should consider changing your pillow this frequently.
Hastens uses only the finest natural materials to make its beds. For more information, please visit the following: http://www.hastens.com/en-uk/our-story/art-of-sleep/