Month: September 2020

17
Sep
2020
Lower back pain treatment: Research reveals the best type of mattress for lower back pain

Lower back pain treatment: Research reveals the best type of mattress for lower back pain

LOWER back pain will affect two out of three people during their lifetime but its prevalence does not come at the cost of solutions. Even the simplest lifestyle changes can help, and, to that end, a particular type of mattress is recommended.

Lower back pain varies markedly in its severity, with some people finding it subsides within a couple of weeks and others finding it rages on for months if not years. Treating back pain is often complicated by erroneous advice or advice that seems counterintuitive at first, but actually benefits you in the long run. Exercise is a prime example of this.

If you are experiencing lower back pain, exercise is probably the last thing on your mind.

As the NHS explains, it used to be thought that bed rest would help you recover from a bad back, but it’s now known that people who remain active are likely to recover quicker.

This may be difficult at first, but do not be discouraged – your pain should start to improve eventually.

What’s more, keeping active may distract you from your pain, notes the NHS.

The best mattress?

According to one survey of 268 people with low back pain, those who slept on very hard mattresses had the poorest sleep quality.

There was no difference in sleep quality between those who used medium-firm and firm mattresses.

Soft mattresses, on the other hand, can also be problematic.

Harvard Health explains: “While a soft mattress that conforms to your body’s natural curves may help the joints align favourably, you might also sink in so deeply that your joints twist and become painful during the night.”

The survey results may not have found a meaningful difference between medium-firm and firm mattresses, but additional research has suggested a medium-firm mattress provides optimal support.

According to an article published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, two separate studies found that medium-firm mattresses reduced clinically diagnosed back pain, shoulder pain, spine stiffness, and positively affected sleep quality.

What’s more, even subjects with minor sleep disturbances benefited significantly in sleep quality and efficiency with medium-firm bedding systems.

The researchers concluded that medium-firm mattresses served to reduce low back pain more so than firm mattresses.

According to Bupa, another handy tip is to place a small cushion between your knees if you sleep on your side.

Posted by m6beds in Choosing The Right Mattress, Investing in a Bed, Lower Back Pain, M6 Beds, Mattress Type, Mattresses
08
Sep
2020
How to remove mattress stains

How to remove mattress stains

When it comes to removing mattress stains, you should try to get rid of them as soon as they occur as it will then be much easier to remove the stain.

You should check the mattress label before applying any cleaning product as not all products are suited to all mattresses.

If you are unsure about a product and its suitability for your mattress, you should test the solution on a small part of the stain before proceeding with the entire stain.

To remove a mattress stain you can use any of the following methods.

Cold water and baking soda

  • Begin by dabbing the stain with a little cold water being careful not to soak your mattress and avoid rubbing so the stain is not spread further.
  • This method with cold water alone is often effective, but if not add a little baking soda to the water and apply to the stain, leaving it for 30 minutes before dabbing it with cold water and leaving it to dry.

Diluted washing up liquid in water

  • Try diluting washing-up liquid in water and then gently dab the stain with a cloth or sponge.

Upholstery cleaner

  • For more stubborn stains it is best to use an upholstery cleaner, but you should always read the label thoroughly before using this method.
Posted by m6beds in Buy The Right Bed, Choosing The Right Mattress, Investing in a Bed, M6 Beds, Mattress Type, Mattresses, Memory Foam Mattress, Upholstery cleaner
03
Sep
2020
School Bedtime Routine

School Bedtime Routine

Create a Relaxing Wind-Down Routine. 

For about an hour before you want the lights turned off for the night, set aside time for you and your child to do quiet activities, such as taking a bath, reading a book together, telling stories, listening to soothing music, drawing or coloring, or engaging in another calming experience that will set the stage for a good night’s sleep. Repeating this pre-sleep routine every night in the weeks leading up to the first day of classes will help your child learn to anticipate sleep time, making it easier for everyone once school starts again.

Adjust Bedtimes Gradually. 

Starting two weeks before the first day of school, move your child’s bedtime five to 15 minutes earlier at night. The next morning, wake your child (or set the alarm) an equally incremental number of minutes earlier to match it.  Continue this process every night until your child is waking at the same time that will be necessary once school starts. Keep in mind: Kids ages six to 13 typically need nine to 11 hours of shut-eye per night—so you’ll want to plan a sleep schedule that allows for this.

Introduce a Curfew. 

Put an end to any form of screen time—including use of TV, computers, video games, and mobile devices—at least an hour before you want your child to fall asleep;  exposure to these devices can delay the onset of sleep and shorten its duration.  Although your kids may not realize it, the artificial blue light that’s emitted from these screens can suppress the body’s release of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin, thus increasing alertness and resetting your child’s internal clock (or circadian rhythm) to a later timetable.

Posted by m6beds in M6 Beds, School Bedtime Routine
02
Sep
2020
How to clean your mattress

How to clean your mattress

Mattresses are a large investment and should be cleaned regularly, especially considering you typically spend six or seven hours each night on yours. But how do you clean your mattress?

If you buy correctly, mattresses can be among the most expensive and longest lasting items in your home so it is best to take care of it by regularly cleaning it. Mattresses can harbour several types of unhygienic matter including dust mites, dead skin, dirt and other debris, especially if you do not use a mattress protector (these can be purchases in our showroom!).

Below, M6 Beds have compiled a guide to explain how you can effectively clean your mattress to keep it in tip-top shape.

Why do you need to clean a mattress?

Regardless of how often you change your bed linen, you must still give your mattress a thorough clean every so often – after all what’s the point in having lovely clean linen if you mattress is dirty.

Mattresses may not look unclean, but according to the Sleep Council, the average adult loses 285ml of fluid each night.

Humans also shed around 454g of dead skin during one year, most of which is left in one’s bed.

How often should you clean a mattress?

Cleaning schedules for mattresses differ based on the type of mattress and the individual sleeping on that mattress.

However, generally, it is suggested one cleans their mattress at least every three to six months.

Many experts believe mattresses should be vacuumed on a monthly basis and those with allergies should make sure to vacuum mattresses more often to remove dust and other allergens.

How to clean your mattress

If your mattress is stain-free, the cleaning process is uncomplicated and easy to complete quickly.

To clean a stain-free mattress you should strip your bed and wash the bed linen.

Begin cleaning your mattress by gently vacuuming the surface of the mattress using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, making sure the attachment is clean before you begin.

You should be sure to go over any nooks and crannies thoroughly to ensure you pick up every last bit of dust and other debris.

Next, rotate your mattress from head to toe if it is one-sided, or flip it if its two sides.

Air your mattress for a few hours to allow the fabric to breathe, leaving the window open if possible to allow fresh air to circulate.

You can also steam clean your mattress.

You should begin by following the same guidance as above but adding this step before remaking the bed.

To do this you will need a garment steamer and using this tool you should go over the mattress holding the nozzle as close to the mattress fabric as you to help kill any dust mites lurking near the surface.

You should then vacuum the mattress again to remove these mites.

Posted by m6beds in Choosing The Right Mattress, Choosing the right pillows, Clean Bed, clean your mattress, Coronavirus, Investing in a Bed, M6 Beds, Mattress Care, mattress protector, Mattress Type, Mattresses, Memory Foam Mattress, rotate my mattress, Sleep Better, The Right Mattress