Americans
Select New Mattress as Best Investment to Improve Health and Happiness,
According to Recent Survey
Consumers Connect
Quality Bedding to Quality
Sleep, and Quality of Life
ALEXANDRIA,
VA
(October
24, 2006)
–Americans voted a new mattress as the runaway winner for the
best investment to
improve health and
happiness, according to a new national survey by the Better Sleep
Council (BSC).
It received more votes than all other options combined, including spa
visits, a
new television, or a new car.
“Americans
recognize that a new mattress really
can add to their quality of life” said Nancy Shark, executive
director of the
Better Sleep Council. “If you look at the cost-per-use,
sleeping on a bed you
absolutely love is a smart investment - and an easy way to pamper
yourself
every day.”
Suite
Dreams Are Made of These
The trend toward
investing in
quality mattresses can be attributed to several factors: the steady
climb of
luxury spending by American consumers; the exciting new technology and
diverse
choices offered by the mattress industry; and the hotel
industry’s substantial
investment in upgraded mattresses, bedding and improved sleep
experiences for guests.
These efforts are not
lost on
consumers. According to the BSC survey, when sleeping on an especially
good
mattress (whether their own, in a hotel, or other), a whopping 84
percent of
Americans noted at least one positive change in either the quantity or
quality
of their sleep.
Top positive changes
included:
Feeling more rested (53 percent)
Fewer aches and pains (47 percent)
Easier time falling asleep (41 percent)
Consumers
Wake Up in Love
More and more consumers are falling in love with
their beds as they replace
their older mattresses with luxurious new models that cradle them in
comfort. In fact, the majority of Americans polled (51 percent)
confessed that they “love their mattress” because it is “comfortable”
and provides a “good night’s sleep.” Additionally, of those respondents
who confessed they were “in love,” 71
percent had recently purchased a new bed within the last year.
Create
a Sleep Sanctuary
Makeover
mania continues to sweep the nation. Whether it’s
an extreme
renovation or a quick décor touch-up, the
bedroom should always be a top priority
when making home improvements. This room should be an oasis; a
soothing space
conducive to relaxation and indulgent comfort. While the mattress is
the heart of your sleep
sanctuary, other environmental elements play an important role in the
total sleep experience. Individual behaviors and overall sleep
surroundings are
major contributors to quality sleep.
Creating a sleep sanctuary doesn’t
have to be difficult or costly. Regardless of space
or budget, the BSC offers these five steps to help transform a bedroom
into a haven of comfort. Comprehensive
bedroom makeover and
mattress shopping guides, along with general sleep tips, are available
online at www.bettersleep.org.
Assess It: Evaluate your bedroom. Start
with the basics: take note of lighting, temperature, noise-levels,
mattress quality and comfort, décor, and clutter. Keep in mind
that the bedroom is for sleep and sex only! It’s not an
office, movie theatre, or restaurant. Look for any items that remind
you of daily stresses or don’t evoke relaxation, and remove
them from the room.
Visualize It: Once you identify trouble
spots, start visualizing the bedroom of your dreams. Think of a bedroom
where you have enjoyed an extraordinary
night’s sleep. What were the characteristics? Look through
magazines for
inspiration. An image of your ideal bedroom will begin to emerge.
Invest in It: While creating a sleep sanctuary doesn’t have
to break the bank, it is important to invest in a quality mattress and
foundation. If you’ve had your mattress for more than five to
seven years, it’s likely not
providing you with the necessary comfort and support – treat
yourself to a new one.
Create
It: Focus on the elements of design: color, texture, accessories, etc.
Select colors based on how they make you feel and opt for hues that
make you feel at ease. Include photos and mementos to make it unique
and
personal. Include something organic to add life. Above all, keep it
clean and
uncluttered.
Enjoy It: A sleep sanctuary is part of a larger commitment to restful,
rejuvenating sleep.
Better sleep requires you to make sleep a priority. Keep a consistent
sleep routine; exercise regularly (but not immediately before bedtime);
and
reduce intake of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine near bedtime.
You’ll enjoy the better
quality of life that results from your efforts.
###
Research conducted by the polling
company™, inc./ WomanTrend. The survey was fielded online
continuously from
August 31 through September 4, 2006.
The
national web-based survey includes responses from 1,090 adults aged 18
or older. Sampling controls were used to
ensure that a proportional and representative number of adults were
interviewed
from such demographic descriptors as age, gender, race and ethnicity,
income and
geographic region. The margin of error is calculated at +/-3% at the
95% confidence level, meaning that in 19 out of 20 cases, the results
obtained would differ by no more than three percentage points in either
direction if the entire population nationwide were to be surveyed.
About BSC: Established in
1979, the
Better Sleep Council (BSC) is a non-profit organization supported by
the mattress industry. The BSC is devoted to educating the public about
the
importance of sleep to good health and quality of life, and about the
value of the sleep system and sleep environment in pursuit of a good
night's
sleep.
