Since the turn of the millennia, society has taken a look at itself in the mirror and said “You need to get healthy, this isn’t working anymore”. We are more conscious about our food ecology, our exercise routines, and our sleep health. The practice of being mindful about these things may once have been considered new age-y hippie drivel, but is now widely accepted as the logical way to get the most out of your life- and extend it too.

If you have been looking at mattresses recently you may have noticed another new trend: adjustable beds. While adjustable beds are certainly nothing new, there has been a surge in popularity and prevalence. So, what’s up with that?

Up until recently, adjustable beds held a stigma. Many people have categorized them as ‘hospital beds’, evoking imagery of medical equipment and, frankly, old people. And we all know you aren’t that old yet, right? So what has changed? Why is everyone and their grandma (no pun intended) getting an adjustable mattress now?

Adjustable beds made the migration from hospital room to the bedroom for one main reason: healing. There are two main ingrediants that are crucial for healing: oxygen and blood circulation. These supply the body’s cells with what they need to repair, regenerate, and reproduce; which is imperative while in a recovery state.

Sleep itself is our body’s way of repairing the damage from the days’ activities, both physically and neurologically. Lack of sleep is associated  with cognitive and memory impairment, increased stress, decreased alertness and performance and increased likelihood of injury or accident. If the lack of sleep becomes chronic it can manifest in high blood pressure heart attack/ failure, diabetes, weight gain and obesity, depression, ADD, alzheimers, and the list goes on.

So how does an adjustable enhance sleep health? Studies show by elevating the head and torso respiration improves, increasing the oxygen intake while sleeping. This can have an immediate impact in reducing snoring, symptoms of sleep apnea, and COPD. Elevation in the upper body also improves digestion and reduces the symptoms of acid reflux and GERD, and has been shown to reduce headaches and migraines. Raising the legs and feet will improve circulation and decrease inflammation; and can aid in relieving low back pain. A side effect from this laundry list is that most report is an overall improvement in comfort.

Knowing the likelihood that at some point in most adults lives they will experience one or more of the conditions mentioned above, many have decided to go the preventative route and start sleeping on an adjustable bed before they need it in order to deter the necessity itself.

With this information at our fingertips in our modern culture of reviews and research, it is a logical conclusion for health-focused individuals to take the plunge sooner rather than later. Modernity is one more reason adjustable beds have taken the reins in consumer focus. Reading in bed, watching television, or working on your laptop is more convenient with the back support moving to your precise preference (instead of using a pile of pillows to prop yourself up).

At European Sleep Design we offer a variety of adjustable bed options to suit your needs. If you find yourself waking up and thinking this just isn’t working anymore, our team is here to guide you in finding the best solution for you, be that an adjustable bed or not.