With new gizmos and gadgets popping up everyday and major advances in all forms of technology, it isn't surprising how much research and development has occurred in the mattress industry as well. Many people will buy HD televisions, new cell phones and cars, but when it comes to something that can add significant quality to your life like a new mattress, people often neglect or defer buying new when the time comes due.

With new gizmos and gadgets popping up everyday and major advances in all forms of technology, it isn't surprising how much research and development has occurred in the mattress industry as well. Many people will buy HD televisions, new cell phones and cars, but when it comes to something that can add significant quality to your life like a new mattress, people often neglect or defer buying new when the time comes due.

As we continue to become busier in our everyday lives, sleep seems to have become the new sex, the thing everyone wants more of but isn't getting enough. Sleep experts agree that most adult humans function best on 8.5 hours of sleep per night, while the average actual sleep habits are slightly less than 6.8 hours. Common reasons for this include not being able to fall asleep, restless sleeping throughout the night, and lack of time in a day. The whole story is not in quantity, but rather in quality.

Everywhere you look, there are energy drinks and cognitive enhancement products gearing up to help you remain alert. Sealy, the mattress manufacturer has started a new campaign with the motto "a better 6" with the intent that people will be more rested with their less than optimum sleep habits. In many ways, they are on the right track and yet there is a tendency for the mass majority to purchase other luxury items like new cars, cell phones, and televisions before replacing a worn out bed.

Quality mattresses can be expensive, but there are many different payment options available from most mattress stores. One need not have a roll of bills in their pocket to end up in a bed that meets their sleeping needs. Especially as we continue in an economic low, this is a prime motivator against a new bed.

People are living more stressful lives and sleep is considered a prime stress reducer. A lack of sleep causes a myriad of problems including negative effects on memory, cognitive skills, digestion and immune deficiencies. Although sleep has remained somewhat of a mystery to us throughout the years, modern research is making great leaps in understanding the complexities involved in quality sleep. REM (Rapid Eye Movement) is one of five sleep cycles in sleep which serves a significant role in feeling rested and locking in memories from your previous wake. Sleep goes through 5 cycles, from light (almost wakeful) to a deep sleep, hitting REM after an average of 90 minutes, then restarts its cycle. Through course of the night, the cycle becomes more rapid with increases in the amount of REM per hour of sleep.

Sleep quality is largely proportional to the amount you are able to remain in an REM state. If you have frequent interruptions for instance, due to a sore back, tossing and turning, or simply trying to get comfortable, you throw the cycle off and begin to diminish the REM time you are able to spend in a night.

The best thing you can do for yourself, is find a way to get a better sleep. If you are too busy to get sufficient amounts of sleep, then you should really invest in a quality bed to help you get the rest you need. You may never find an easier way to increase your quality of life!