Seventy-three percent of Americans have fallen asleep in bed with their television on according to a recent survey conducted on behalf of the Better Sleep Council. The national survey said seven out of 10 people tend to regularly watch television in bed.
“It seems that ‘bed potato’ may be a more apt term than ‘couch potato nowadays,’” quipped Helen Sullivan, spokesperson for the BSC. On a more serious note, she advised that more time spent in bed means more wear and tear on the mattress. “Consumers should be sure their sleep set is providing maximum comfort and support for late night TV watching, as well as for waking up refreshed each morning,” she said.
To determine when your mattress is a rerun in need of a new season, the BSC
recommends checking your mattress at least twice a year to make sure it is providing the comfort and support you need. It’s time for a new mattress when:
• You wake up with pain, stiffness and soreness
• You are not sleeping as well as you were a year ago
• Your mattress shows visible signs of wear and tear
• You haven’t bought a new bed since Johnny Carson was hosting “The Tonight Show.
Late Night TV and Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
According to the Better Sleep Council, late night television watching can have these detrimental effects on the quality of sleep: Changes in light and sound emanating from the television while you are sleeping may move you from a deeper stage of sleep to a lighter, less restorative stage. Even if you shut the television off before falling asleep, you may go to sleep later than planned in order to finish the program.
Disturbing images on late night television or too much suspense on a television drama before bed may create anxiety that inhibits relaxing into a good night’s sleep.
For more sleep tips, send for a free copy of the 16-page Better Sleep Guide, P.O. Box 19534, Alexandria, VA 22320 or download it at www.bettersleep.org.
– Courtesy of ARA Content
