The sleep alphabet: all you need to know, from A to Z
The mysterious world of sleep has always fascinated scientists, researchers, and not only.
Let’s discover all the fun facts about sleep, from A to Z!
A as in “Apnea”
Sleep apnea is a brief, involuntary, and repeated breathing interruption, which occurs in about 20% of the adult population aged over 45. Find out more in our article about symptoms and remedies!
B as in “Bed sheets”
A necessary accessory we all need in our room is bed linen. Sheets made of natural materials undoubtedly combine style with comfort. Discover our Luxury Bed Kit in fine percale cotton.
C as in “Circadian”
From the Latin circa diem or “around the day”. Circadian rhythms indicate our body’s natural cycles, which depend on our planet’s regular light-dark alternation. Our internal clock allows us to sleep at night and keeps us awake during the day. Moreover, it regulates the normal functioning of our organs and glands.
D as in “Dark”
Although some people can’t fall asleep without a light on in the bedroom, sleeping in the dark stimulates the production of melatonin, the essential hormone for a good night’s rest. According to Ohio State University, sleeping with a light on confuses our biological clock.
E as in “Exercise”
Practicing physical exercise regularly, is maybe the most effective natural solution to counteract insomnia. Sport not only makes us feel physically tired but also stimulates the production of endorphins, the hormones that encourage a good mood.
F as in “Feng-Shui”
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art dating back more than 5,000 years and concentrates on the connection between human beings and the space that surrounds them. Find out how to make your bedroom harmonious for greater wellness!
G as in “Golden Milk”
Given to us from the ancient Ayurvedic tradition, Golden Milk is a natural cure-all that can boost our immune system and help us fight coughs, colds, menstrual pains, and high cholesterol. How to prepare this drink? Find out now!
H as in “Hour”
From the moment we fall asleep, it takes about 60 minutes to enter the REM sleep phase, which is the stage where dreams occur.
I as in “Insomnia”
According to recent studies, about 60% of the world’s population suffers from insomnia. This number is really significant when we think about the impact sleep has on our daily life.
J as in “Jet-lag”
According to research, we suffer less from jet-lag when traveling from east to west because our time regulating cells take more than 24 hours to complete an entire cycle. Therefore, our body better adapts to the time change as it’s already prepared for long time cycles.
K as in “Knees”
Most of us suffer from lower back pain, not only during the day but also during the night. If you’re struggling to get proper sleep, use an extra pillow between your knees! This solution allows us to restore the natural alignment between the spine, hips, and pelvis.
L as in “Lavender”
Essential oils have extraordinary calming qualities. In particular, lavender has soothing qualities that alleviate sudden mood swings. Add a few drops in a warm bathtub or directly on your pillowcase, and get ready to doze off.
M as in “Melatonin”
Who, for at least a period of their life, has never taken melatonin supplements? Our body naturally produces this sleep-regulating hormone, but sometimes we need a greater contribution in case of insomnia or jet-lag. Did you know that some foods like almonds, avocados, pineapples, and cherries are rich in magnesium, a mineral that stimulates melatonin production?
N as in “Newborn”
There’s no magic number able to tell us how many hours of sleep a baby needs. However, newborns sleep approximately between 15 hours a day.
O as in “Optimism”
According to a study conducted at the University of Illinois, optimist people sleep much better. In particular, what emerges from the research on about 3,500 people aged between 32 and 51, is that participants with high levels of optimism not only sleep well but also claim to sleep from 6 to 9 hours each night.
P as in “Phototherapy”
Phototherapy, or light therapy, has also been studied in relation to circadian rhythm disturbance and insomnia. Exposure to morning sunlight keeps the delicate balance between sleep and wakefulness active.
Q as in “Quality”
A quality bed system is essential if we want to get truly restful sleep. It should include a mattress, bed base and pillow able to satisfy our physical features.
R as in “REM”
REM stands for “rapid eye movement” and is one of the 4 stages of sleep. Dreams occur during this phase but not only. This is when our brain develops other essential functions such as memory and mood.
S as in “Sugar”
Many studies have shown that refined sugar is a great enemy of good sleep. But if you’re a sweet tooth, you can choose a healthier natural sweetener like honey, stevia, and maple syrup.
T as in “Tibetan bowls”
“Sound massages” practiced using Tibetan singing bowls are an ancient form of physical and mental regeneration. Their resonant tone, which is not perceived only through our sense of hearing but also through the epidermis, generates relaxation, alleviates stress, and stimulates the elimination of toxins. Learn more in our article!
U as in “Unconscious”
We may think we’re unconscious during sleep hours, but we aren’t. Our brain and body functions continue to work for us and perform a number of important jobs to keep us healthy.
V as in “Vacation”
While on vacation, let go of the usual frenzy and remember that our mind loves slowness. Get at least 8 hours of sleep even while you are away from home! And if sleeping on a different bed doesn’t allow you to rest well, choose our practical Topper Sport and the irreplaceable travel pillow.
W as in “Weight loss”
The rest we get during the night affects our metabolism. Scientific research has shown that getting at least 7 hours of sleep every night helps our metabolism work more actively during the day. But also remember to work out regularly and stick to a healthy and balanced diet.
X as in “X-Mas”
We know it’s so difficult getting the kids to bed during the festivities. However, keeping an evening routine before bedtime helps children (and parents) wind down and enjoy the magic on Christmas morning!
Y as in “Yoga”
Yoga, and in particular Hatha Yoga, offers so many psycho-physical benefits proved by scientific studies. For example, it can help you fight insomnia, sleep apnea, teeth grinding, and irregular sleep rhythms. Find out more!
Z as in “Zzz”
What would it be like if we never went to sleep? Time would undoubtedly stretch our days and nights would seem never-ending. Not nice, right? But most importantly, sleeping each night allows us to wake up every morning ready for a new fresh start. So make sure you’re getting enough rest!
The fascinating world of sleep
Sleep is a boundless world, filled with fascinating mysteries to be discovered. And since wellness begins with “Healthy Sleep”, choose a bed system that best satisfies your needs for truly regenerating nights!
