Why do humans need sleep?
Doctors have a lot of different theories about the answer to that question, but the most common is that sleep is a basic, life-sustaining activity that our bodies show us again and again we just can’t live without.
"While we may not often think about why we sleep, most of us acknowledge at some level that sleep makes us feel better." says the Division of Sleep Medicine. "Sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions."
The benefits of a good night’s rest are nearly endless. In addition to helping us get rid of that “overwhelmingly sleepy” feeling, getting enough sleep can also help us feel more alert, more energetic, happier and better able to function. Not to mention, sleep is an essential part of allowing our bodies to heal.
Plus, sleep just feels good, doesn’t it? In addition to all the necessary bodily functions that sleep supports, it makes you feel good and therefore, is an important part of self-care. So, maybe it’s time you and sleep got to know each other a little better. Your relationship with sleep starts in the bedroom (surprise, surprise). You love your bed—so, here are a few ways you can create a bed that loves you back.
Find the Right Mattress
Do you and your partner have different sleep styles? Maybe you like to sleep on your side and your partner is more of a stomach sleeper. If you have the right mattress, that won’t matter—it’s possible to have a bed that loves you both and satisfies both of your sleeping needs.
The Leesa Original Mattress provides comfort and pressure relief, made with premium top layer foam for a cooler night’s rest. With advanced contouring, the Leesa Original mattress was made for all body types and sleep positions. Our Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress offers cooling, supportive premium comfort foam and memory foam layers, along with more than 1,000 individually-wrapped springs for maximum support, from edge-to-edge. For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, the Leesa Reserve Hybrid Mattress combines an innovative two-part design with high-density memory foam to completely cradle your body, delivering exceptional motion-absorbing properties for the most undisturbed and rejuvenating sleep.
If it’s time for a new mattress, you’ll have to get rid of your old mattress. There are several things you can do with your old bed, from donating it somewhere like the Salvation Army or homeless shelter (or even to a frugal college student), placing it for garbage removal or even recycling it.
Once you’ve found the perfect mattress, show it some love to make sure it lasts. Taking care of your mattress is easier than it sounds. To clean it, we recommend stripping your bed bare and vacuuming your foam mattress every three months, or roughly once a season, with a HEPA-rated vacuum cleaner and an upholstery attachment. If you accidentally get liquids like coffee, wine or blood on your mattress (hey, life happens), check out our tips on how to safely remove the stains—including recipes for homemade cleaning solutions.
Add the Perfect Pillow
A top-quality mattress only goes so far if you have a flat, old or worn pillow that doesn’t give your head and neck the support it needs. If you’re in love with your mattress, it's time to make sure you have a pillow you love, too.
To get your best rest, you need a pillow that keeps your head, neck and spine aligned while you sleep. The perfect pillow varies from person to person, depending on their go-to sleeping position.
The Adjustable Foam Pillow features customizable foam fill, combining deconstructed latex and memory foam that you can adjust to suit your preferred loft and support level. With innovative cooling technology—including a cool-to-the-touch cover and gel beads—this pillow keeps you comfortable throughout the night. For a fluff-free option, our Premium Latex Pillow delivers a dynamic bounce and resilient support that maintains its shape, no matter how much you move. Its ventilated channels promote natural cooling, ensuring a fresh, restful sleep. Both pillows come with easy-to-care-for removable covers, making maintenance a breeze.
Pro Tip: Always be sure to check the tags on your pillow to determine if they are machine-washable and keep in mind that memory foam pillows should always be cleaned by hand.
Cozy-it-up with the Perfect Bed Sheets
The right bed sheets can make you feel like you’re being hugged by a cloud while you sleep. And really, how your sheets feel (and the quality of rest you get with them) is what’s important, no matter the thread count or brand name.
You should take good care of your sheets, just as you do your mattress. After all, they’re the part of your bed you come in contact with the most. Everyone has their own routine as far as how often they wash their sheets, but most doctors recommend changing your sheets every one- to two-weeks, since they’re exposed to everything from sweat, to hair products, to dust mites, to dead skin cells and more. Nothing beats the feeling of crawling into bed at the end of a long day and being cradled by crisp, clean, fresh-smelling sheets, so take care of your sheets and get that clean-sheet feeling.
Psst! Don’t forget your duvet or comforter. You guessed it, we have the best tips for washing and taking good care of those, too. You’ll want to do that (at least) every six months to keep them fresh and feeling good as new.
Make your Bedroom a Sleep Sanctuary
Just like your bed should be a sanctuary that you can’t wait to crawl into every night, your bedroom should also be a tranquil place for you to escape. If it’s not and you find the idea of curling up on your cramped, old couch more desirable most nights (yuck!), it may be time for a bedroom makeover.
There are some simple, easy things you can do to make your bed a calming, relaxing place to spend time—not just when you’re asleep, but also when you need to de-stress, dive into a good book, reconnect with loved ones and binge-watch your favorite show. Try adding an extra touch of color, a framed photo above the headboard or candles in your favorite calming scents can take your bedroom’s coziness up several notches, transforming it into the true heart of your home.
You love your bedroom—treat it right so that it loves you back. Upgrade the heart of your home with Leesa.
