Categories
Bedrooms Homewares Interiors Addict

Only 12% of Aussies are getting a good night’s sleep

If you feel like you’ve been missing out on sleep more and more lately, you’re not the only Aussie going through it. According to a recent survey by Freedom Furniture for World Sleep Day (today) only 12% of people could say they had a great night’s sleep. So, what can we do to help the rest of us?

In today’s ever-alert world, over half of the 1,000 people surveyed said stress and worry were major reasons for losing sleep. Surprisingly, those aged 45-to-54 are especially concerned. All of us have had to live through more than two years of constant Covid updates and it shows, with 40% reporting it had a negative impact on their sleep.

Of course, there’s the more common classics to this phenomenon too. 27% complained about noise, 20% informed of illness or injury, and 20% noted that they used an uncomfortable pillow or bed. One thing we can do to remedy this then, is select a good quality mattress. Lloyd Craske, head of sleep at Freedom, shares some key factors to getting the right mattress:

  • A mattress with a quality spring system is vital to bringing back the skip in your step. Pocket springs can reduce motion transfer, meaning you won’t keep waking up because of your partner or pet anymore.
  • Remember that the top of the support system are the comfort layers. Too soft will have you in the sunken place and too hard will have you tossing and turning towards a stiff lower back. Avoid this by opting for foams, memory foams or latex.
  • Lastly, consider the very top layers of the mattress. Made with natural fibres they can create a healthier sleep environment for a comfier night’s sleep.

Freedom has launched a new mattress range handcrafted in Australia and inspired by its landscapes. They have Warwick fabric on the sides and a matching base. Available in three feels: firm, medium and plush, they do what mattresses should by conforming to your body and providing pressure relief. They also have hundreds of individual pocket springs for all night support and natural fibres on top for better breathability.

Other key findings from the research include:

  • Retirees/over-65s reported the best quality sleep while those aged 45-to-54 and those performing home duties reported the worst.
  • 73% of 18-to-24 year olds reported that worry and stress was a reason for their poor night’s sleep, compared to 33% of over-65s.  
  • 1 in 5 people take over an hour to get to sleep.
  • 30% of respondents included taking a bath or shower in their bedtime routine.
  • 47% have a hard mattress.
  • Australians have an average of 1.69 pillows per person.

For more on Freedom’s new mattresses

Categories
Bedrooms Expert Tips

Review: My first two weeks on our new SleepX mattress

Sponsored by SleepX

Mattresses in a box: they’re popping up everywhere at the moment, am I right? There’s certainly a new way to buy a mattress which is quicker, more affordable, and –let’s be honest– we love that novelty factor of something so bulky coming to the door rolled up in a box!

When new kids on the block SleepX approached me to work with them as a spokesperson, I wasn’t going to put my name to a brand until I knew why they were different, that their quality was high, their manufacturing processes sound, and, of course, that their mattresses were comfortable. Happily, I was in the market for a new one so it was a good time for Damian and I to test drive (sleep?) the SleepX difference for ourselves!

Here’s what always got me about the many other one-size-fits-all mattress-in-a-box brands: there is no way that one mattress fits everyone. Comfort is such a personal thing, we all sleep differently, we all have a different view of what is too hard or too soft. We are different body shapes, heavier and lighter, back sleepers (my husband) and side sleepers (that’s me). Yes, you can return your one-size-fits-all mattress if it doesn’t work for you, but there’s no alternative to swap it for.

So the fact that SleepX offer three different mattress designs was the first thing that impressed me. You can even go and try them out at their showroom in Sydney’s Chippendale. What’s more, if you and your other half like completely different mattresses, they’ll make you a half-n-half Duo mattress for just $200 more. How good is that?! SleepX may be new to the market but the company behind the brand has decades of experience in the bedding industry, so it’s no wonder they know what they’re doing and their offering is more sophisticated than most.

I was convinced that Damian and I would end up with a Duo and I was excited that this was an option for us. Our existing mattress was a very expensive latex and memory foam number that he loved and I, well, really didn’t. I was having a selfless wife moment when we bought it. He has a chronic shoulder injury from his days as a tennis coach so I thought it was more important that we chose something he found really comfortable. But when we went to try out the SleepX options we both really liked the Balance Medium option (there’s also the Serenity Soft and the Restore Firm). Who would have thought it? And two weeks later (because you can’t review a mattress overnight, pardon the pun) we are both loving it. An added bonus is that when Sebastian sneaks into our bed in the night, which happens pretty often, we don’t even notice. This will be down to SleepX technology which provides excellent support and weight distribution – so there’s no chance of being disturbed if your partner tosses and turns (or your child jumps in). You’ll also stay cool and comfortable throughout the night.

There’s not just three different firmness options but an impressive six sizes: single, long single, king single, double, queen and king. They’re made from the highest quality materials — a combination of memory foam and high-resilience foam – so they’re comfortable yet supportive. And the 10-year warranty definitely adds peace of mind! And they’re great value too, starting at $650.

And did I mention they’ll deliver within four hours to metro areas if you order before 2pm (and within 48 hours for a Duo mattress which really impressed me)?

So, what about how they’re made as well as how they feel to sleep on? As I mentioned before, I can’t put my name to something without knowing they’re a legitimate operation making high quality goods. The entire range of products are non-allergenic, anti-bacterial and environmentally- friendly. They’re 100% recyclable and certified by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), awarded to products that use clean, high-quality and environmentally-friendly materials. Another bonus is that all SleepX products use CompriShield during the manufacturing process – a natural, sustainable, bio-based microbial control solution providing great protection against mould (which seems to be a big Sydney problem!), mildew, dust mites and odour that lasts the lifetime of the foam. This last point especially appeals to me as a parent. And they’re made right here in Australia.

The offering doesn’t end at mattresses, there are pillows too, in three different sizes (and Damian and I did need different ones here, no doubt because his shoulders are about twice as wide as mine!). They also sell mattress toppers from $199 if you want to add some extra comfort to your existing mattress. All in all, our new mattress and pillows have been giving us the best nights’ sleep in ages this month! As a busy mum and business owner, to say I value my sleep would be a huge understatement!

SleepX do encourage customers however to max out their 120-day free trial period because it takes at least two weeks to acclimatise to a new mattress.

For more information and to shop online.

Photography by Jacqui Turk.

Categories
Bedrooms Expert Tips

Create your own dream world with Sleepmaker

Sponsored by Sleepmaker

How good is sleep?! I seem to have a complicated relationship with it at the moment. Being 26 weeks pregnant, I’m feeling the urge to nap way more often but when it comes to bedtime, I’m not always succeeding at getting comfy!

Image: Country Road. Click for details.
Image: Country Road. Click for details.

I’m definitely glad we got a new memory foam mattress recently though. You’ve got to start from the best possible place, even when getting those zeds doesn’t come as easily as it usually does!

The importance of a good mattress and/or bed is often neglected when we concentrate on the aesthetics of our bedrooms. Sometimes getting the perfect bedsides, right height table lamps, the latest linen and the killer combo of decorative cushions (yes, I bet your other halves hate them too, ladies!) seems much more significant! But the right bed, one where you spend so much of your life, can make a massive difference to your health and mood.

Image: Hale Mercantile Co. Click for details.
Image: Hale Mercantile Co. Click for details.

But if the thought of traipsing around bed showrooms is what has made you keep putting the task in the too-hard basket, Sleepmaker’s online comfort selector tool can help.

By answering a few quick questions, it can make some recommendations which will narrow down the search for you and save you time. Of course you still need to go and lie on the thing and make sure it’s for you, but it can make the task a little less overwhelming. There really are so many options with beds these days, as technology has come on so much. I personally love the idea of starting with a recommendation or shortlist!

Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 10.42.12 AM

You’ll answer questions for you (and your partner if applicable); everything from your weight, age, size preference, budget, any aches and pains you usually wake with and how you sleep, then enter your postcode to choose from your nearest stores, before being given a bed suggestion. You don’t even have to hand over your email address for the privilege, but you can easily email the details to yourself. They even suggest your perfect pillows!

Screen Shot 2015-01-12 at 10.42.32 AM

There are so many reasons a good bed is important. As Sleepmaker say: “Often people see purchasing a mattress as just something that meets a functional need and they miss the opportunity for it to become a place of pure comfort.”

They suggest three steps to experience your own dream world:

  • Take one perfect SleepMaker bed
  • Lay your head on a dreamy SleepMaker pillow
  • And top it all off with quality protectors and a cosy quilt.

So, check out the Sleepmaker online comfort selector tool today and get started on choosing your new bed and creating your own dream world!

Need more bedroom inspiration? We have a whole section on that! And kids’ rooms too! Later this month, we’ll show you how to bring together the other elements of your perfect bedroom, brought to you by Sleepmaker.