The Holiday Sleep Test… How Does Your Bed Compare?

Ever woken up after a holiday sleep feeling like you’ve just slept on a cloud, only to return home and find your own bed feels more like a lumpy sack of potatoes? Holidays often give us a unique chance to sleep on different mattresses, pillows, and bedding, turning your getaway into an unexpected (but delightful) study on sleep quality.

Instead of dreading the post-holiday blues, why not turn your recent trip into an opportunity to evaluate your home sleep setup? In this blog, we’ll help you dissect your holiday sleep experience, offering tips on how to compare it with your bed at home and uncovering the secrets behind those blissful holiday nights. Spoiler alert: it’s more than just the fancy pillow mints.

Comparing Home vs. Holiday Sleep

Why do you seem to sleep better on holiday? It’s not just the lack of alarm clocks or the joy of being away from daily stresses. The beds at your favourite hotels or charming guest houses often feature high-quality mattresses, pillows, and bedding that are carefully selected to offer support and an optimal holiday sleep.

Does your home mattress offer the same level of comfort? If not, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Think about how quality sleep during your holiday compares to your usual rest at home.

Identifying Structural Issues in Your Bed

A good night’s sleep depends heavily on the structural integrity of your bed. Over time, mattresses can sag, springs can wear out, and the overall support can diminish, leading to restless nights and aching mornings. When you are in a different bed during your holiday sleep, you might notice how a well-maintained mattress can significantly improve your sleep quality.

Here are a few signs that your home mattress might need replacing:

• Sagging and Indentations: Over time, mattresses can develop sags and indentations where your body rests. These can disrupt your sleep quality and posture and lead to discomfort.

• Lumps and Bumps: Uneven surfaces can create pressure points, causing pain and discomfort.

• Noise: If your mattress makes creaking or squeaking noises when you move, it could indicate internal structural damage.

• Edge Breakdown: A worn-down edge can reduce the usable sleeping surface and make getting in and out of bed more difficult.

Assessing Personal Sleep Quality

It's not just the bed itself but how well you sleep in it that matters. After a holiday sleep, do you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day? Compare this to your usual wake-up routine at home. If you often wake up feeling tired, groggy, or with body aches, it’s a clear sign that your sleep environment might need some adjustments.

Bringing that same comfort back home starts with recognising the signs of personal sleep discomfort.

Common indicators include:

• Morning Stiffness: Waking up with stiff muscles or joints can suggest your mattress isn't providing adequate support.

• Back and Neck Pain: Persistent pain in these areas is a clear sign that your mattress and pillows may not be aligned correctly with your body’s needs.

• Frequent Tossing and Turning: If you find yourself constantly shifting to find a comfortable position, it might be due to inadequate support or pressure points.

• Numbness or Tingling: These sensations can be caused by pressure points from a mattress that doesn’t conform properly to your body.

Improve Your Sleep Environment

Creating a restful sleep environment at home can make all the difference in matching that holiday sleep. Start by keeping your bedroom cool and comfortable, ideally between 16-18°C. Good air circulation is key, so consider using a humidifier or air purifier if needed. Block out any light with blackout curtains or an eye mask, as light can disrupt quality sleep.

Keep your bedroom quiet. If noise is a problem, try earplugs or a white noise machine. Tidy up your space; a clutter-free room can promote relaxation and reduce stress.

Lastly, consider adding a touch of aromatherapy. Scents like lavender and chamomile can help you relax and improve your sleep quality. Use essential oils or a diffuser to create a calming atmosphere in your bedroom.

Choosing the Right Mattress

To capture that dreamy holiday sleep at home, start by reconsidering your mattress. Think about what made those hotel beds so comfortable. The starting point is probably a mattress that ticks many boxes, and that your home mattress may be lacking in.

Here are some key features that set high-quality hotel mattresses apart, but are now available to South Africans wanting great home quality sleep:

Firmness: The right balance of firmness and softness, like the Comfort Solutions Deluxe Mattress.

Firm Edge Support: This feature is present in the Mewer Posture Advantage range, which provides a stable mattress edge to prevent roll-off, extending quality foam to the bed's edge and offering a larger sleep surface.

Edge to Edge Silent Partner Pocket Springs: Offers zero disturbance with up to 30% more pocket springs and a fuller sleeping surface, avoiding foam encasement. Comfort Solutions Deluxe Mattress features these pocket springs, providing excellent support and reducing motion transfer, ensuring a peaceful night's rest.

Heavy Knit/Soft Touch Fabric: Adds comfort through a soft, luxurious feel.

Pure Foam: Ensures durability and support, as it contains no chalks or fillers, lasting much longer than cheaper foams. Try the Comfort Solutions Deluxe Mattress for this.

Memory Foam: Provides pressure relief and hypoallergenic properties for improved sleep, with options like Comfort Solutions Signature range with iGel memory foam that contains gel beads to regulate temperature.

When shopping, take advantage of Bed King’s Sleep Assessment and in-store sleep mapping services. These tools can help identify the difference between your holiday and home sleep, finding the perfect mattress for your needs - getting you the same restful sleep at home that you enjoyed on holiday.

Supportive Pillows for Holiday Sleep

Ever noticed how your neck never complains after holiday sleep? Your pillow might be the secret. A good pillow supports your neck and spine, keeping those morning aches at bay.

If you sleep on your back or side, try a medium to high loft pillow like the Comfort Solutions Gel Contour Pillow. It cradles your neck, aligning your spine, and its gel layer keeps you cool throughout the night. Prefer something firmer or softer? Bed King offers a variety of pillows, including memory foam and down alternatives, to cater to your personal preference. Take a peek at your holiday pillow to see what it is made from, and start from there.

The Role of Quality Bedding

Remember how luxurious those hotel sheets felt? Recreate that at home. High-quality bedding can transform your sleep experience.

Natural, breathable materials like Bed King’s Organic Cotton or linen are big sellers in the hospitality industry. The Comfort Solutions Egyptian Cotton Duvet Cover Set offers a soft, breathable, and luxurious feel. High thread count sheets not only feel like luxury but also keep you cool and comfortable.

Don’t forget mattress protectors and toppers. They add comfort and extend your mattress's life. A quilted mattress protector creates a breathable barrier, protecting against spills and allergens while adding a bit of cushioning – leaving you feeling like you are getting holiday sleep all-year-round.

Conclusion

Recreating the comfort of your holiday sleep experience at home is doable with a few adjustments. Bed King's Sleep Assessment and in-store sleep mapping services can guide you in finding the perfect bed tailored to your needs. Invest in your sleep quality today and ensure that every night matches your holiday sleep.

Visit Bed King for your personalised Sleep Assessment and in-store sleep mapping to discover your ideal bed and sleep accessories.

Back