Monthly Archives: October 2017

Five Common Myths About Sleep

Post by Jessica Schoenenberger

five common sleep myths

How well do you sleep?


This question seems to be cropping up lately. You could say sleep issues seem to be an epidemic. New articles and studies about the importance of sleep to our health come out every day. But still, there are so many common misconceptions about sleep, that even I’m guilty of thinking. Read on to find out the truths behind some of these sleep myths that I have found.


1. You Can Make Up Lost Sleep on the Weekend


Unfortunately, as much as we wish, you can’t make up for your lack of sleep by sleeping all day Saturday. You feel the effects of sleep debt during the week in foggy brain, lethargy, and more. And while sleeping extra long on the weekend might feel nice, it throws off your internal body clock. The best thing you can do for yourself is stick to a schedule and go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Yes, even on the weekends.

 

2. 8 Hours of Sleep is Best


All your life you’ve heard that 8 hours of sleep is the healthiest. But in reality different age groups need different amounts of sleep, and so do individuals. Kids 9-13 years old need 10 to 13 hours. 14 to 17 year olds need 8 to 10. And adults need 7 to 9. Personally, I function great with 7 hours of sleep. It’s best to shoot for somewhere in between 7 and 9 and see where you feel the healthiest.

 

3. People Who are Sleepy During the Day Must not Get Enough Sleep


There are many disorders where a person gets enough sleep, but it isn’t quality sleep, and they end up not feeling their best. If you have sleep apnea, you may always feel tired during the day, even accidentally snoozing at times. If you’re getting your 7-9 hours but are still exhausted, check out what might be causing it, and talk to your doctor if necessary. Could just be that you need a new mattress! (We might be biased on that one).

 

4. Insomnia Only Means You Can’t Fall Asleep


Speaking of sleep disorders, insomnia tends to be the one we’re most familiar with. But did you know there are many types, and it doesn’t just mean you can’t fall asleep? Not being able to remain sleeping once you fall asleep is another type of insomnia. There’s also acute and chronic insomnia. Acute might be from external factors and resolve on its own, which chronic might need some treatment. If you are having continual trouble sleeping in any way, you should address it.

 

5. Drinking Alcohol Makes You Sleep Better


While you might crash harder after relaxing with a few drinks, the quality of your sleep won’t be as good. You might fall asleep quicker, but your REM sleep will be sacrificed. It also affects how well you can breathe at night, and makes sleep apnea worse. Plus, you most likely won’t wake up feeling refreshed. So don’t turn to a nightcap to fix any of the sleep issues we’ve been talking about.

 

There are so many factors that go into a good nights sleep. Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all, easy solution. Taking the time to experiment with your own sleep habits and behaviors while keeping a log may be the best way to determine your personal needs to hit that sweet spot of sleep your body needs.

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5 Uniquely Cozy Bedrooms (and how to get them)

Post by Jessica Schoenenberger

As it (finally!) starts to feel like fall outside, I like everything around me to be as cozy as possible. I break out a ton of blankets, candles, and warm lighting in my house to really get me in the mood for changing seasons. We tend to keep our house very maximalist, with texture, color and pattern everywhere, so cozy is easy to achieve. But that is far from the only way to warm your house up for the colder months. I went looking for inspiration on the coziest bedrooms out there of many styles to help you hunker down. All links open in new tab so you can view and read.

 

https://www.houzz.com/photo/1443931-tracie-ellis-home-midcentury-bedroom-melbourne

 

Simple and modern, the dark tones in this bedroom are warm and inviting. Start with the rustic wooden bed with metal accents, like our Mies. Keep it modest and clean, but bring in richness and texture in the few accents you choose. Instead of layering, they chose a luxe, heavy duvet, and decidedly cold weather throw pillows (the faux fur trend is everywhere). Finish off with a lavish rug to tie in the design and give that extra level of coziness from top to bottom.

 

https://www.houzz.com/photo/52714873-john-lewis-boutique-hotel-bedroom-contemporary-bedroom-london

 

A frosty, shiny take on a cold weather room. To get this look, use a rich upholstered bed as a base- our Linen Hampton would work well here. Choose a few bold, lustrous pieces for bedding, and leave them casually draped. Stick to a lighter, blush palette and metallic accents to keep things feeling elegant. Keep the bedding fluffy for ultimate luxury.

 

https://www.houzz.com/photo/59222861-kilburn-park-scandinavian-bedroom-london

 

A softer look, with just enough heavy accents to take it away from spring and summer. If you don’t like the classic warm tones of fall, this more accessible look is just right for you. Start with a simple platform bed, like our Madera. Accent the bedding with soft, light colors. Fill in the headboard void with a small abstract gallery, keeping the the color tones complimenting to the bedding. Add a faux fur throw and some knit elements for a transition into fall.

 

https://www.houzz.com/photo/28112396-monarch-mediterranean-bedroom-orange-county

 

This classic bedroom pairs bright white linens with a few accents that makes it just cozy enough for autumn. Use a bed that is simple and white. Our Newhouse headboard in Belgian linen would perfectly compliment the soft neutral tones here. The oversized pillows and puffy feel of the linens make it perfect for snuggling. Our striped duvet cover would enhance the traditional feel of this space. The central piece of artwork is great to carry over many seasons, and the area rug warms up the floor for chilly mornings.

 

https://www.houzz.com/photo/95203965-miami-eclectic-ranch-house-midcentury-bedroom-miami

 

I had to throw in one with the classic warm colors of fall and a BoHo look that is totally my taste. Starting with a mid-century looking bed (our Alana with the upholstered headboard would be a great addition), simple textured linen patterns are layered for the perfect warm look. The rug combo feels eclectic, and the autumn florals on the nightstand are the perfect touch.

It’s a great time of year to cozy up and spend some quality time with the cool Autumn air gently blowing into your bedroom. Enjoy it now before you have to get the heater going and your windows closed tight!

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