May is a pretty big month –– there’s mother’s day, graduations and bunches of spring flowers. It’s also Better Sleep Month! So, while you’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather, don’t forget about how important sleep is for your life.
A study from the Better Sleep Council found that a lack of sleep can impair our productivity at home and the workplace:
- 30% of respondents experience poor detail recall when they don’t get enough sleep.
- 30% reported decreased accuracy and quality of work.
- 31% experienced impaired decision-making.
We all want to sleep better, and we promise ourselves that we’ll fix the shortcomings in our sleep schedules. But months pass, and we’re still tired. Sound familiar? The same study found:
- 2 out of 3 people reported that stress regularly impacts their sleep.
- 16% of people have been diagnosed with stress-induced insomnia.
- ⅓ of Americans have at least one night of bad sleep each week.
Here’s What You Can Do To Sleep Better
Try and reduce stress
Easier said than done, we know. But there are a few things you can do to mitigate that stress and keep it from interfering with your sleep. Setting priorities and staying organized will help you reclaim control of your day. Taking a break from work and stepping away when you need to will keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
Find your sleep schedule and establish a routine
If you want your body’s natural sleep and wake cycles to be strong, you need to go to sleep and wake up in the same 20-minute window every day. Yes, that means on weekends, holidays and vacations. Sleeping in sometimes won’t ruin your circadian rhythm; just don’t make it a habit.
Doing the same things each night to wind down before bed will help get your body ready to sleep. Relaxing activities like reading or yoga promote relaxation. You’ll want to avoid electronic devices and your TV.
Limit how many naps you’re taking
There’s nothing wrong with taking a nap once in a while. If used correctly, naps can be a good thing. However, if you’re taking naps that are long or late in the day, there’s a good chance it will interfere with the sleep you get at night. The shorter the nap, the less impact it’s going to have on your night’s sleep. Do not use naps to make up for poor sleep quality at night; it will only make things worse.
Get a new mattress
The fact is, mattresses do wear out. Eventually, your mattress will stop giving you what you need –– it will no longer relieve pain points, and you’ll wake up tired. Mattresses are a significant investment that you thankfully won’t have to invest in every year.
So if it’s time to make the leap and buy a new mattress, you’ll be happy to know that for Better Sleep Month and Memorial Day, many brands are having sales on mattresses. There are plenty to choose from –– including our favorite bed-in-a-boxes and budget level beds.
Best Sales for Better Sleep Month
Nectar
The fan-favorite signature memory foam mattress is now on sale with $399 of accessories included. In addition to your bed, you’ll snag a cooling pillow, sheet set and mattress protector all for free. If you are looking for a twin or twin XL, the included accessories add up to $299.
Nectar is a good option for true memory foam lovers, and the price is an excellent value. We like the Nectar bed so much it even made our Best Mattress list.
Purple
Purple mattresses are one of the most sought-after brands on the bed market. Its proprietary Hyper-Elastic Polymer material is both pressure-relieving and supportive. But that does translate into a unique gel-like feel, which is not everyone’s cup of tea. Right now, if you buy a Purple mattress, you’ll also get Purple sheets (valued at $89) for free. If you upgrade to a Purple Hybrid or Purple Hybrid Premier, you’ll get the sheets and a plush pillow (valued at $183 together) for free!
Leesa
Right now, there is the opportunity to take advantage of their Memorial Day Early Access Sale. Leesa offers $200 off and two free pillows when you buy the Leesa Original mattress or the Leesa Hybrid Mattress. You can get up to $500 off and two free pillows when you buy the Leesa Legend Mattress.
Tuft & Needle
Like other brands, Tuft & Needle is running pre-memorial day sales. These shake out to be 15% off the T&N Original mattress, The Mint and The Hybrid. You also have the opportunity to take advantage of deals on pillows, accessories, bedding and more.
Avocado
If you’ve been on the hunt for an environmentally friendly mattress, Avocado should be one of your top choices. Avocado is running a sale for $100 off their Avocado Green mattress, Vegan mattress, and Latex mattress –– all you have to do is use the code “HONOR” at checkout. Additionally, you can get $250 off the Organic Luxury Plush mattress with the code “MEMORIALDAY.”
Too Long, Didn’t Read?
If we had it our way, every month would be Better Sleep Month. However, we’re happy brands are rewarding people for taking a step towards healthier sleep. That said, if you’re not ready to invest in a new bed right now, there are still things you can do to make sure you get better sleep at night. Do us a favor and try at least two tips from our list and report back on how you’re sleeping.