Top 5 Reasons You Might Not Be Sleeping Well

Sleep should account for a third of your life, and yet three out of five Kiwis report having trouble sleeping throughout the night. There are many ways you can point your finger when troubleshooting why you might struggle to snooze. Shutting your brain off is hard enough when you find yourself tossing and turning. However, it may not actually be your mind that’s at fault.

One of the leading causes of a poor night's sleep is often your current pillow or mattress. Just ask anyone that’s had an air bed deflate on them while camping or they’ve had to try to get comfortable on a fold-out bed from the 1980s, and they’ll tell you it’s difficult to get good shut-eye.  Thankfully, at Briscoes, we have sleep experts with one of the largest ranges of pillows in NZ and fantastic box mattress options from Serta. In this guide, we’re going to list the top five reasons you may not be sleeping well. Let’s get started!

Why a good night's sleep matters

Ever tossed and turned throughout the night but still had a busy day at work the following day? No matter the amount of caffeine you ingest, it’s still difficult to concentrate and be in top form. Yes, sleep is important for focus, but not getting enough sleep can also cause many other adverse health effects. Some of these issues can include:

• High blood pressure 
• Weakened immune system
• Decreased brain function
• Depression and anxiety 
• Stunted growth

All in all, it’s vital to prioritise a good night's sleep. And, your bedding choice has a significant role to play in this, from breathable linen and cotton sheets to pillow choice and mattress type. We value a good night's sleep which is why we offer a broad range of bedding, pillows and now a range of top-quality Serta mattresses to help you catch those extra winks.

How to tell if you're not getting enough sleep

There are some subtle and not-so-subtle signs that you aren’t sleeping well. As we’ve mentioned, health issues can arise from regularly not getting enough sleep. However, there are easier to diagnose signs to look for. Some may experience any combination of these symptoms. So, it can sometimes be easy to assume you run on little or poor sleep when in reality, you need better sleep. Some common signs of poor sleep may include:

• Your eyes look red
• There are bags under your eyes
• You are gaining unexplained weight
• Your mood worsens
• It’s tough to get up in the morning
• Your focus or memory is affected

None of these symptoms of poor sleep are good. All the more reason to choose a comfortable mattress in a box from Serta or a supporting memory foam pillow. Now, into our top five reasons you might not be sleeping well!

Your mattress is too old

Unlike a fine wine, your mattress doesn’t get better with age. Generally, if your current mattress is over eight years old, it may be time for an upgrade. The years affect your mattress in many ways, including:

• General wear and tear
• Sagging
• Stains
• Unwanted microscopic bugs

When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, a sagging or damaged mattress will not provide the same body support it was designed to offer. As we know, when you’re not supported at night, you may struggle to get good quality sleep. Dust mites and marks on the bed can affect your health while you sleep and may even cause issues with your breathing. Thankfully, Serta’s Perfect Sleeper mattresses have been treated with anti-allergen protection to ensure you get a night of healthier and more restful sleep. 

The firmness of your mattress doesn't fit how you sleep

Some people prefer a stiffer mattress, whereas others prefer to feel like they’re floating in a cloud. Technically speaking, it’s best practice to match the firmness of your mattress to the way you sleep. If you don’t have the right firmness, even if it feels comfortable to you, it may affect the quality of your sleep. Common sleep styles, include:

• Back sleeper

A firmer mattress might provide better back support for you.

• Side sleeper

A softer and more forgiving mattress can help contour your body shape to provide better relief to your should and hip pressure points. 

• Front sleeper

Similar to what’s recommended for back sleepers, a firmer mattress may be a good option. 

If you currently have a mattress that’s too firm, a mattress topper like the Perfect Sleeper Cloud might help to relieve any aches and pains without buying a completely new mattress. This particular mattress topper from Serta can help give your bed a softer and more luxurious feel without the hefty price tag. View our range of mattress toppers online (one of the largest ranges of mattress toppers in NZ) or read our guide to protecting your mattress for other tips for more comfort at night.

Your pillow isn't quite right

Which pillow you use is just as important as your mattress when it comes to a good night's sleep. Are you a mover? A snorer? Do you sleep on your side, front or back? Do you have allergies? If you wake up in the night with a stiff neck or itchy nose, your current pillow may be too tall, too flat, too lumpy, too stained or too old. 

At Briscoes, we’re proud to supply some of the best pillows in NZ. This selection includes the popular Serta’s Perfect Sleeper Pillows that come in various fillings, shapes and sizes to fit your sleeping needs. These pillows are treated with an antimicrobial to help protect you from allergens and come with a cover to keep your pillows fresh and clean. Our Serta pillows of memory foam, aptly named The Memory Foam Pillow, come in a classic shape making them the perfect pillows for side sleepers. The Serta Down Alternative Pillow uses balled recycled fibre to be resistant to flattening and comes in soft, medium, and firm feels. For more pillow tips, read our guide to buying pillows. 

Growing pains

People change, sleeping circumstances change, and it doesn’t matter if you have the best double mattress or single mattress in NZ; after a while, it may no longer be the right fit. Maybe you have more bodies in your bed, or you’ve grown taller and now find yourself with your feet hanging off the end of your bed. If your bed is too big or too small, it can significantly affect the quality of your sleep. If there’s no more room in your bed, you need a bigger bed! Luckily at Briscoes, we have a range of mattresses and bedding options to suit everyone's needs, from queen mattresses to some of the best quality single mattresses in NZ. Regarding box mattresses, we can help you towards a better night's sleep with The Perfect Sleeper range. 

Your room is at the wrong temperature

The temperature of your body can affect the quality of your sleep and how long you spend in the different stages of your sleep cycle. Each stage of your sleep cycle is important when it comes to impacting your overall health and well-being, but it’s especially important to have enough REM sleep. I think we can agree it’s nearly equally tricky trying to get some shut-eye when it’s too hot in summer or shivering in your bed during winter. The World Health Organisation recommends that your home be between 18 to 21 degrees for optimal sleep. 

There are many ways you can address the temperature in your bedroom at night. At Briscoes, we have a wide variety of heating options that are suitable for your bedroom, including general heaters and electric blankets. It’s also worth checking that you have a good quality duvet inner or sheets that are suited to the particular season. For more advice on how to regulate the temperature in your room, read our popular guides, including:

• Your guide to duvet inners
• Your guide to bed sheets
• Heater buying guide 
• Electric blanket buying guide

Time for a better night's sleep?

Getting the right amount of sleep that’s of good quality is essential to your overall health and well-being. As you can see, there are many reasons you may not be sleeping well, and sometimes it’s a bit of a process by elimination. One of the common reasons for poor sleep is your bedding and mattress. Thankfully, we have you sorted at Briscoes with a wide variety of bedding options, including mattress toppers, box mattresses and one of the best ranges of pillows in NZ. 

If you’re unsure which type of mattress or pillow is right for you and your family, pop into your local Briscoes and talk to the local experts. Otherwise, head over to our sleep shop, which explores in detail the different bedding options available to you and their unique benefits. If you’d like advice on electric blankets, including our popular Sunbeam electric blankets, view our wide variety online or check out our electric blanket buying guide. Remember, it’s always important to prioritise a good night's rest.