• the soldier position is prone to snoring and waking up with dry mouth
• you get more oxygen when you sleep sitting but it fees uncomfortable and you can wake up with neck pain
• a pillow between your knees makes  sleeping on a side way more comfier

• sleeping only 6 hours a night increases the chances of being overweight
• a 20 minute nap is more effective than 200 mg of caffeine
• when you sleep less than 4 hours your body will need 22% more calories
• only 3% of the population has a gene that allows them do well with just 6 hours of sleep

Source: Medical Billing & Coding

Your mother or grandmother already told you this, right? You know that if you have to consider between two or more difficult choices, you are better of making your decision after a good sleep. This is true mainly because while you sleep, your brain goes to work in putting the pieces together so that, in the morning, you usually feel you know exactly what needs to be done.

-You didn’t know this, did you?

When ducks feel that they are at risk of being attacked, half their brain sleeps, while half is awake in case danger approaches.

-What are you dreaming of?

It seems that men often dream of other men most of the time (about 70% of the time to be exact). As it turns out, women will dream of other women about half the time.

-Did you just take a cat nap?

Did you know that you could be taking a cat nap without even knowing it? You could fall asleep with your eyes open and it would be very hard for someone else to notice you are not awake.

-Is your rainbow black and white?

About 12% of individuals dream only in black and white! Why? Mainly because they are more used to black and white television, which was the norm before color television appeared.

-What was that noise?

If you hear an unfamiliar noise within the first and last 2 hours of your sleep, your sleep will suffer even if you won’t be aware of that.

-Are you married?

About 25% of married couples are sleeping in separate beds.

-How much internet is too much?

It has become obvious that the internet is one of the biggest distractions when it comes to going to bed at night. “I’ll just stay another 15 minutes online and then go to bed!” and those 15 minutes turn in 2 hours. Does it ring a bell?

-Which mammal sleeps the less?

Stop trying to guess! It’s the giraffe which only needs 1.9 hours of sleep daily! Just imagine how many things we could do if we needed so little sleep!

-Which mammal sleeps the most?

The brown bat needs 19.9 hours of sleep and yet there is another animal that sleeps more: the koala. The koala needs 22 hours of sleep! They don’t even have time to wake up properly as they are back in bed!

-Can you remember last night’s dream?

I used to be bothered by the fact that I would rapidly forget what I dreamed. This was until I started writing it down right after I wake up. It seems that we usually forget half of what we dreamt within only 5 minutes after we wake up! And after 10 minutes we won’t remember more than 10% of our dream(s)! So, start writing!

One thing that bugs me about TempurPedic is that they don’t have any negative customer TempurPedic mattress reviews posted on their website. Not even one. They have some reviews in which the client says that he isn’t satisfied with the mattress but he will try another model. Let’s face it, from the thousands of customers they have/claim to have it’s impossible not to have at least one customer that says that your mattress was bad for him and advices other potential buyers to avoid it. There are people that aren’t satisfied with anything so this option of having only reviews that praise your mattress is kind of in your face.

Where can you find it?
You won’t have problems getting this mattress, both online and offline. You can use the retail locator on the TempurPedic website to find dealers near your home or buy it online from their own store. Depending on the model you look for, you can even have chances finding it on Ebay or Amazon.

Mattress components
All TempurPedic mattresses are made from a patented material which the company developed throughout the years. Tempur material is somewhat similar to memory foam but, in their own words, “it’s more comfortable, supportive, and durable”. If you are looking for a more traditional mattress, Original mattress factory is specialized in innerspring mattresses.

My take on it
Ok, so the TempurPedic mattresses relieve pressure on painful joints and create a comfortable and supportive sleep. The only question now is how long will it last. An overwhelming percent (about 90%) of the bad TempurPedic mattresses reviews posted all over the web focus on the lifespan of the mattress. After 4 or 5 years the mattress tends to sag on the side you sleep and this creates more problems in your joints instead of making them go away. Ok, but there’s the 20 year warranty that covers this kind of problem, right? No! The warranty states that you can ask for a new mattress only if the old one doesn’t return to at least 3/4 of its original height. So basically the mattress has to have a huge indentation in order to qualify for the warranty policy.

If you want a cheap yet comfy mattress than TempurPedic is out of the question. The mattress alone can be at least $2000, depending on the size and model. Then you should buy a box spring, foundation as they call it because this type of mattresses were developed to work together with a sturdy supportive system. You can also go for a bedframe to support your foundation and this means some extra hundreds even $1,000, depending on the design you choose.

As with all mattresses, regardless of the material they are made from, the golden rule is to give it a test run before making a purchase. Go to showrooms or factories and sit on the mattress, turn around, do some fake toss and turnings and see how you feel. Then you can start your online hunt and see if you can find a better deal on the mattress. Don’t base your decision on the reviews you read online because, like I’ve said to everyone, a mattress that is good for my back doesn’t have to be good for yours also. There are many factors that influence your comfort like: weight, sleeping position, whether you sleep alone or not and even your bedroom temperature.

Still, there are people that are satisfied with the TempurPedic mattresses and experienced the comfort they longed for on these mattresses. In the end it al depends on your luck and your determination to find the right mattress for you. Ask the salesman all the things that come to your head and take his advice. You may like how a certain mattress looks like but this doesn’t mean it should automatically provide the comfort that you need.

Resources:

Tempurpedic reviews at PissedConsumer.com can be found here.

Mattress ratings at Sleeplikethedead.com can be found here.

Compared to other manufacturers that have been on the market for more than 100 years, this company can be considered a newbie as it opened its first factory in Ohio in June 1990. Still, it managed to spread around US quite quickly, now having 11 factories and more than 100 showrooms.

Where can you find it?

On the company’s official website you have a store locator, which shows both stores and factories. One big downside of this is the fact that you really don’t have the opportunity to read original mattress factory reviews on the exact mattress you plan to buy. One big advantage they have, compared to others mattress brands that are sold exclusively offline is that they have the prices on their website, for each mattress and size. Just by visiting the original factory shop you will find these prices.

Mattress components

All 6 Original mattress factory mattresses models are innerspring based, having various paddings and toppers. You can see how many coil units each mattress has and all the components and layers that are inside it. They might not have a wide range of mattresses but focusing on a certain subject can make you an expert in that field and that is what they claim to be.

My take on it

I personally think is confusing finding the right mattress for your needs from all the information overload you can find on their website. That means that you just have to hope that you find a salesman that knows his job and can help you buy the mattress that you need not the one that you like.

If you already bought one of their mattresses than you know that on the back of the receipt there’s a paragraph claiming that for certain fee (from what I’ve seen this can be around $60) you can have them “change the construction of your mattress”. Add to this shipping charges and you might spend well over $100 revamping a new mattress. However, if you happen to buy the worst mattress you ever slept on and there’s no way out, except for buying a new one, this may be the only way out. My advice is to make sure that they tell you exactly how much the procedure will cost you and what they add. You don’t want to pay extra for one inch foam layer.

“Set price includes mattress and box spring. We will sell mattresses and box springs separately, but please note that they are designed to work together.  If you do not purchase a matching set, you may shorten the life and/or alter the comfort of your new mattress.”. Don’t ignore this warning because you will surely end up with a big hole in the middle of the mattress. Their mattresses can’t properly support your body weight without the box spring so a platform bed is out of the question. Do your research and make sure you know all the facts before getting your credit card out.

What about you?

Is the Original mattress factory mattress a comfortable and sturdy one or you’re completely unsatisfied with  this company? Did you have problems regarding the warranty policy? How would you rate this mattress?

Where can you find an intex air bed?
On the Intex website you they sell several models but I think it’s best to buy spare parts from them. Look for and Intex air mattress on sites like Amazon or Target as you will have more models to choose from and you can also find it on sale.

Mattress components
Most of the Intex mattresses have built in pump for better access which is great if you plan to use the mattress indoors. However I couldn’t find out more about the plastic the mattress is made off. Yes, it’s a durable type of plastic but I was wondering how toxic it actually is.

Not all Intex air mattresses are built equal, so to speak, as they are different construction methods. If you are picky or intend to use the mattress on a regular basis than you should definitely check this aspect further.  Comfort-Top Construction consists of two layers and seems to be the most supportive and flexible technology they have.

My take on the intex inflatable bed
For an air mattress this one sure takes the cake. My advice is to go for the ones that are at least 17 inches high because not only they are more comfortable to sleep on but they are more comfortable to get up in the morning too. The waterproof flocked top makes it so much easier to use because sheets actually stay on the mattress, you don’t sweat like hell and you don’t slip when you move around.

One issue all air mattresses have is the plastic smell it has after you first inflate it. You just have to allow it time and it should de-gas in les than a week. Open the windows or keep a fan near it and eventually wipe it off with some vinegar if you just can’t bare the smell.

Some models are backed up by a 90 day limited warranty but it’s no biggie because almost all problems can be fixed through an easy DIY. A small puncture can be covered by a patch and if the mattress deflates too quick you can either give it some extra pumps with the intex pump before sleeping on it or replace the valve/cap or plug.

The Foam Top Intex air mattress has a memory foam layer for a softer sleep while the Raised Comfort-Top Bed resembles a pillow top mattress. Basically, for around $100 you can sleep as comfortable as you would in a regular bed (if you had a bad mattress in the past, you will sleep even better).

The weight limit is important because you don’t want to end up on the ground so make sure to check this aspect before making the purchase. If in the product description doesn’t say anything about this, contact the seller or the company. Many customers said that they used the mattress every night for 2-3 years and the mattress still holds up nicely. If you respect the weight limit and take proper care of your mattress, you should be on the safe side.

The Intex mattress fulfills are the requirements of a good, supportive and durable mattress and all for a bargain price.

What about you?

What Intex mattress do you own? What do you feel about it? Where did you get it from?

Resources:

You can find Intex store replacement parts here.

A showcase with all Intex air mattresses can be found here.

1. Contents: What do these pillows have inside them?

Sobakawa cloud pillow

Looking at its commercial you would be inclined to think that the Sobakawa cloud pillow is filler with small air beads which offer a “soft as a cloud” sleep (thus the name of the pillow). Well, you will be amazed to know that within this pillow there aren’t any air beads at all. What you will find are very cheap Styrofoam balls. And, believe me, these won’t make you sleep so well!

Total pillow

The pillow is filled with tension easing micro beads which are able to support the head and neck area. This pillow will also prevent any morning soreness from appearing.

Cloud pillow rating for contents:  2

Total pillow rating for contents: 4

2. Noise factor: Are these pillows “noisy”?

Sobakawa cloud pillow

Unfortunately for people that really like this pillow and would wish to buy it, we have bad news. Because of the constant movement of those Styrofoam balls we talked about earlier, this pillow is very noisy and will disturb you during the sleep. Moving your head, turning from side to side or pushing it harder into the pillow will quite literally make you want to run for the hills.

Total pillow

This pillow is much different when it comes to noise. You will most likely never have issues in this area with this particular pillow because its components are of a better quality and regardless of your movements during sleep, you will not feel unease.

Cloud pillow rating for noise factor: 1

Total pillow rating for noise factor: 5

3. Size: What can be said about this?

Sobakawa pillow

Sobakawa comes in a lot of different sizes, which is actually a reason for its success. People like to have more alternatives to choose from and the cloud pillow gives them plenty. Small, full size, king or queen size are there for your picking. Some people are not aware of the fact that this pillow comes in such a wide variety of sizes and get tricked into buying the small size one. Who tricks them? The seller, of course, as he does not tell them there are different sizes to pick from.

Total pillow

At this chapter, this pillow is very weak, as it only comes in one single size, the 12 by 12. If someone does not like it, they will have to pick another pillow, and this is a real shame. The good part is that this pillow can very easily be bended in half and customized a lot, so people will appreciate this even if the initial size is not to their liking.

Cloud pillow rating for size: 5

Total pillow rating for size: 2

(Total pillow didn’t receive a 1 star here just because it is very versatile and can be transformed into a half sized pillow in a moment.)

4. Smell: Do any of them have a peculiar smell?

Sobakawa pillow

When it comes to smelling, Sobakawa seems to have a little problem which was signaled by some people who use(d) this pillow. It seems that sometimes the smell, either goes away after 4-5 days, or after approximately 2 weeks. But, there are cases, where people have sworn that this smell did not go away at all. It could be that some people are a little picky when it comes to smells, but it also raises some questions about this pillow.

Total pillow

This pillow has never had any complaints regarding a possible bad smell it could have. This means that either the materials from which it is made are very good, or it is packaged better, or both.

Cloud pillow rating for smell: 2

Total pillow rating for smell: 5

5. Versatility: Which pillow is more versatile?

Sobakawa pillow

It has an interesting shape, but nothing we have not seen before. It does offer a good sleep, but its shape was never its problem. It has problems in other areas like smell, contents or noise.

Total pillow

On the other hand, this pillow is really something innovative. With the shape of a flower, a daisy actually, which is empty in the middle, this pillow offers a level of versatility you will not believe. It can be twisted into all kinds of forms until the most suitable has been found. It is also perfect to take on travels when using the plane or car/bus as the means of travel.

Cloud pillow rating for versatility: 2

Total pillow rating for versatility: 5

Conclusion

So, is Total pillow the second choice if it was compared to Sobakawa Cloud pillow or is it the other way around? The decision should ultimately be yours, and after you have examined the facts in this comparison you should be able to draw your own conclusions.

What’s your opinion? Which one of these pillows is better? If you have a review/testimonial about these two pillows, please leave a comment bellow.

A heated mattress pad does the job of keeping your bed warm and cozy and it also cuts down on energy bills.

If you live in a big house you know how much it costs to heat all the bedrooms just for one night. Let’s face it, you need a warm bed, you don’t have to heat up the whole room. Use heated mattress pads in your kids bedrooms, in guestrooms, wherever you have someone sleeping and say goodbye to bed shivers.

The difference between a pad and a heating blanket is the fact that the first one keeps your bed warm instead of just having a warm blanket on top. The comfort is way better and if you have a busy sleep, constantly tossing and turning you don’t have to worry about the blanket not staying on.

1. The couple’s choice
Rest Secure Restwarmer Dual Control Mattress Pad from Westpoint Stevens

Size: Full, Queen, King and California King

Features:
* Extra cushioning prevents the wire from disturbing your sleep
* Two controls that allow using different temperature setting on each side of the bed
* The matters is protected from the heat by the Fiver Wooven 100% polyester cover
* Automatically turns off after 10 hours to prevent any incident
* Forget spot cleaning, this pad is machine washable and dryable

Warranty: 5 years

If you share the bed with someone chances are that you won’t need the exact temperature in the bed. You might have cold feet when he feels just right or the other way around. This dual control heated mattress pad uses a zoned heating system that allows both of you to use the right settings for you. It can provide extra heat for the feet to prevent waking up with cold feet.

2. The thick mattress choice
Sunbeam Heated Electric Mattress Pad Sz. Queen

Size: Queen only

Features:
* 10 temperature settings
* Great for mattresses up to 15″
* Expand-a-grip technology that keeps the pad from sliding
* Dual control

Warranty: 5 years

The Sunbeam heated mattress pad also features a dual control but it’s the best choice for thicker mattresses. It works great even for smaller mattresses because it keeps the pad in place so you don’t have to tuck it under the mattress each morning.

3. The low voltage choice
Soft Heat Electric Heated Warming Microplush Twin Top Mattress Pad, White

Price: $87.25

Size: Twin, Full, Queen, King and California King

Features:
* It has ultra thin wires which makes them almost undetectable
* Low voltage technology
* Automatically shuts down after 10 hours
* It’s machine washable and dryable

Warranty: 5 years

The most “expensive” model is the best looking one also. A problem people seem to have quite often is a buzzing noise which comes from AC/DC adapter. Some are disturbed by it while others don’t even notice it. They claim that their low voltage technology is safer compared to others. In fact, this is somewhat a new system and people seem to be satisfied with it.

My take on it:

A heated mattress pad will warm up your bed in about 20 minutes and it will keep you warm throughout the whole night. You should feel comfortable, without being too hot or too cold. If one of these two things happens return the pad immediately. It either has a manufacturing issue or it’s a bad model.

Read whatever heated mattress pad reviews you can find for the model you intend to buy but don’t guide yourself after them. Each of us has personal preferences and while one might enjoy a super hot bed you might like a medium warm bed. As I’ve said, if you aren’t happy, refund it!