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It feels so good to wake up refreshed and energised, ready to slay the day. But many Kiwis wake up tired and foggy, only reluctantly roll out of bed at the last snooze alarm.
What’s going on there?
How much sleep is enough sleep?
Ideally, we should be getting seven to nine hours of sleep per night for optimal health. Unfortunately, up to 70% of New Zealanders aren’t even getting the minimum.
Yawning fits and afternoon brain fog are frustrating. They also make total sense, because they’re common symptoms of being busy, stressed and sleep-deprived.
Fatigue is only sometimes normal
Most of us suffer from fatigue from time to time, and we know it’s easily remedied with a good dose of shuteye.
But what if you have trouble opening your eyes in the first instance?
What if a solid night’s sleep simply doesn’t seem possible?
Our lifestyle and mental well-being can sometimes explain a bad time in bed. Family and personal pressures, anxiety, shift work, illness, jet lag—these can all keep a good night’s sleep out of reach.
A medical checkup can also reveal underlying health difficulties that might be contributing.
If there’s nothing you can pinpoint to explain a below-average sleep, the answer may literally be right underneath you.
When we have trouble sleeping, we often put it down to stress or a few too many iced lattes – and while, yeah, too much stress and caffeine is going to impact your sleep quality, the environment you’re sleeping in has a part to play as well.
Vibe check your sleep environment
Take a look at your bed for a moment.
Whether you’re having wriggly, restless nights or a blissful beauty sleep may depend a lot on your mattress—in particular, how old it is and whether it’s a good fit for you.
Mattress Love Pop Quiz:
- Do you wake up stiff and sore as well as tired?
- Is your mattress looking manky, with visible signs of wear and tear?
- Does your mattress ever feel uncomfortable?
- Is your mattress more than 10 years old?
- If you spend a night away from home – for example, in a hotel – do you notice that you sleep better?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your sleep environment does not pass the vibe check, and it’s time to think about replacing your bed.
Why you probably need a new mattress
- An old mattress probably isn’t giving you the support you need.
Even a young body needs the right support! If your mattress is old and saggy, it’ll be putting your pressure points under strain.
- Old beds are… pretty gross.
You know how much you sweat on those relentlessly muggy summer nights?
It has to go somewhere, and it does: it goes into your mattress. And over time, this creates ideal damp conditions for mould growth. Ew.
Oh, and then there’s the dust, the dust mites and the dust mites droppings.
All of this can play havoc with allergies and your overall health.
The rule of thumb? If it’s over 10 years old, it’s time to let it go.
- It’s not your mattress. It’s you.
Maybe your mattress is totally fine—just not for you. We’re all different, and it’s important to choose a mattress that works for our shape and our needs.
