When arriving at work after a terrible night’s sleep, most of us feel foggy, clumsy, and—at the worst of times—on the verge of falling asleep at our desks. Unfortunately, this is a feeling many of us experience all too often, and—according to a decade’s worth of sleep research—it may be holding us back professionally. In a sleep study performed by researchers at Loughborough University, substantial evidence uncovered a correlation between lack of sleep and a reduction in work productivity, frequent mistakes, slower career progression, and decreased job satisfaction. Further research conducted by the Society of Behavioral Medicine in 2021 confirmed that sleeplessness causes one to be less mindful during the day, which is important for stress management, fulfilling daily tasks properly, and maintaining consistent routines.
So, what’s the secret to getting an adequate amount of sleep and arriving at work ready to seize the day? Given sleep quality is so subjective, finding a perfect night’s sleep can be a game of trial and error. Sam Prochazka, CEO and Founder of Edmonton-based e-commerce company, GoodMorning.com, suggests starting with what he’s coined the “sleep platform,” or rather, a bed that offers your body proper sleep support and comfort.
Two integral components you’ll need to assess in order to achieve your best sleep are your mattress and pillow. There is a lot to keep in mind when choosing the perfect mattress and pillow – let’s touch on a few important considerations:
Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position is an important factor to consider when choosing the right mattress. It determines where pressure points form on the body and dictate what level of firmness on your mattress will alleviate any discomfort.
Whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper or stomach sleeper, you need to ensure your mattress compliments your style to achieve the most comfort.
Body Weight
Another important note to consider is body weight. It’s been proven that different body weights require different levels of firmness and support for sound sleep.
Upper Body Alignment and Your Pillow
Just like a mattress, the wrong pillow can cause discomfort and contribute to sleeplessness.
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- If you are a stomach-sleeper, thick pillows can cause a strain on your neck; you might find it beneficial to utilize a very thin pillow—or no pillow at all!
- Similarly, back-sleepers should use thin pillows to keep their neck level with the rest of their spine.
- Side-sleepers need a thicker pillow that fills in the space between their neck and shoulder, keeping their upper back and neck aligned.
- If you are a combination sleeper, a great option is to purchase an adjustable pillow, which allows sleepers to remove and add foam to fine-tune the pillow for personal comfort and preference.
Looking to upgrade your mattress and achieve your best night’s sleep? GoodMorning.com has created an online Mattress Matchmaker Quiz; utilizing feedback from over 25,000 verified customers and data from engineer lab resting. This quiz can help you find the right mattress based on your sleep style in just a few minutes. Find your best sleep option today!