Flou - Dormire Bene

SLEEP IS FOR THE RIGHT AND THE JUST.
HOWEVER THE MATTRESS IS NOT ALWAYS THE RIGHT ONE.

Sleep is the final stage of any day; it is an essential period during which our body recovers its strength and energy to face the next day.
The sedentary existence of modern living, our jobs, the lack of exercise and the increasingly stressful way we live are all factors that combine to necessitate that we pay much more attention to choosing a mattress that is much more suitable for our needs.
An analysis of our life style, therefore, makes an important contribution to highlighting our needs and leaving us receptive to the best advice regarding our choice.

PHASES OF SLEEP

PHASES OF SLEEP

Sleep: a natural and necessary everyday process, during which the body recovers energy and psycho-physical equilibrium. At the end of each day, tiredness takes over and we fall asleep. There is no precise moment; for each one of us it changes on the basis of many variables that depend on our type of lifestyle, our commitments and our necessities.

Every night, during sleep, there is an alternation between REM and non-REM sleep phases. REM is short for Rapid Eye Movement, and during this phase the mind dreams and the eyes move rapidly beneath half-closed eye-lids. In the non-REM phase, there is an alternation of light and deep sleep. These phases can be stable and restful, or they can be unstable and this unfortunately leads to non-revitalization.

Short micro-awakenings interrupt sleep without the person sleeping being aware of the event. If the micro-awakenings are few, the quality of sleep will still be good; if there are too many, the sleep will not perform its primary function, resulting in the person waking up tired and sluggish.
DANGER OF STRESS

DANGER OF STRESS

Stress is an excessive fatigue of the mind and the body and can modify overall quality of sleep. A condition of prolonged stress can lead to insomnia, which is the true illness of sleep.

People who suffer from insomnia do not sleep well, are not able to rest sufficiently, do not recover their vital energies and so the next day will find themselves dealing with drowsiness, listlessness, concentration difficulties and mood disorders (eg: intolerance, impatience, short-temperedness).

It is possible to combat insomnia, without resorting to drug treatment, simply by making some minor changes to daily routines.
GOOD RULES

GOOD RULES

The Italian Association of Sleep Medicine (Associazione Italiana Medicina del Sonno - A.I.M.S.) has a list of rules to promote the greatest advantage and benefit from sleep. It is important to go to bed and rise at the same time every day. If one awakens before their alarm rings, it is better to get out of bed and start the day.

If sleep does not arrive quickly on going to bed, it is better to get out and perform some relaxing and restful activity, like having a bath (not a shower), read a book or drink a warm herbal drink.

Many doctors, homeopathic and naturopathic specialists suggest eating the evening meal at least three hours before bedtime. The evening meal should also be light, not too rich or elaborate to encourage good digestion.

It is important to perform physical activity during the day, everyday, particularly in the afternoon. And finally, it is essential to leave the day's problems outside of the bedroom.

There are also things that should not be done. The Italian Association of Sleep Medicine (Associazione Italiana Medicina del Sonno - A.I.M.S.) states that it is useless and even damaging to go to bed if one is not sleepy.

Sleeping during the day can deteriorate quality of nocturnal rest. Drinking caffeine, alcohol or other stimulating drinks before going to bed alters the possibility of relaxation. The same applies to smoking or performing intensive physical activity prior to retiring.
LOCATION FOR SLEEP

LOCATION FOR SLEEP

Sleeping well means improving the quality of sleep. A study held at the University Hospital Center (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire) in Montpellier, France, demonstrated a new mattress placed on suitable support, allows 53 minutes more sleep than a mattress more than 10 years old. There is also a reduction of 20 minutes in time needed to fall asleep and a reduction of 30 minutes in total duration of periods of wakefulness.

A good mattress must be comfortable and must provide optimal support for the vertebral column. After 8-10 years of use, it should be replaced; over the years it will have lost its elasticity and ability to adapt to the sleeping body.
HOUSE MITES AND ALLERGIES

HOUSE MITES AND ALLERGIES

The bed must be stripped periodically and mattress left free of sheets and covers to allow it to breath for a while. Water accounts for 40-60% of the body mass. This percentage increases to approximately 65-75% in the muscles.

During nocturnal sleep, there is an intense dispersion of body fluid due to transpiration and evaporation.

This humidity passes through the mattress and in order to avoid stagnation, it must be transferred to the surrounding environment.
Therefore it is essential that the lower part of the bed is suitably aired.

EVEN WHEN SLEEPING ALONE,
PEOPLE SHOULD LIE IN THE RIGHT POSITION.

EVEN WHEN SLEEPING ALONE,
PEOPLE SHOULD LIE IN THE RIGHT POSITION.

The position we sleep in tells a lot more about us that would be expected, revealing many aspects of our personality.
STARFISH

Anyone who sleeps in this position is open to friendship, listening and helping others. Yet they like to distance themselves from the crowd and will often not assume their responsibilities.

TREE-TRUNK

Many pregnant women lie in this position because it is so comfortable. In more terms, the tree-trunk sleeper is sociable and loves company.
RESEARCHER

An open mind is typical of the person who sleeps in this position, even though time and thought are necessary before a decision is made. However, once the decision has been finalized, it is unlikely anyone will change his mind.

FETAL POSITION

This person is very sensitive and loves relaxing in this typically feminine position.
SOLDIER

The person who sleeps in this position is severe with himself and with others; s/he is always calm and reserved and loves a regular, orderly life.

FREE FALL

The person who sleeps in this position detests criticism and tries to avoid stressful situations; s/he will be argumentative, tends to be passive and always walking on a razor’s edge.

SLEEPING POSITIONS ARE IMPORTANT IN THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A COUPLE

SLEEPING POSITIONS ARE IMPORTANT IN THE PRIVATE LIFE OF A COUPLE
SPOON POSITION

This position indicates a need for protection and epitomizes a stable couple living in harmony. According to the sociologist Thomas, this position is typical of a couple in their second important relationship; they have already experienced the feeling of abandonment, and now require stability, certainty and shelter.

THE GATE

The person who sleeps in this position has little inclination to dialogue even when serious discussion is needed.
ABUSIVE

As its name would suggest, one person tries to dominate the other, with an unbalanced power-base and little equality between the two partners.

CRIME SCENE

Despite its name, this position is typical of the couple that is fully satisfied with their relationship and who cohabit in a loving, relaxed, peaceful environment.
THE KOALA

Be careful, what would appear to be the perfect loved-up position actually reveals that one of the partners suffers from excessive possessiveness who is obsessed and suffocating.

SCALES

The couples who sleep back-to-back have a very solid bond and will be able to survive moments of crisis by tackling them together and their relationship will grow stronger thanks to these testing experiences.

Goodsleep