A Comprehensive Breakdown of Mattress Types and Recommendations
Best Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses are known for their pressure-relieving comfort and body-contouring support. They typically consist of a high-density polyurethane foam base topped with a layer of viscoelastic memory foam. This combination provides a balance of support and comfort, with the memory foam layer responding to body heat and pressure to mold to the sleeper’s shape.
Top Picks for Memory Foam Mattresses:
Purple Mattress: Known for its unique grid design, the Purple mattress offers a balance of support and pressure relief, making it a great choice for side sleepers. It’s also praised for its breathability and temperature regulation.
Leesa Mattress: With a combination of memory foam and avena foam, the Leesa mattress provides a cool sleeping surface and a comfortable hug, ideal for side sleepers.
Nectar Mattress: Offering an exceptional value, the Nectar mattress has a sturdy construction and comes with a generous trial period and warranty, making it a top budget-friendly choice.
Best Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine the support of innerspring coils with the comfort of foam layers. The key to a great hybrid mattress is individually wrapped coils and a layer of foam on the sides to conceal the coils and enhance edge support.
Top Picks for Hybrid Mattresses:
DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress: This 15″ luxury hybrid mattress offers a combination of pocketed coils and foam layers for a plush yet supportive feel. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking a premium mattress at a competitive price.
Sapira by Leesa: A luxury hybrid mattress that caters to a wide range of sleepers, including athletes and those with a heavier build. It combines pocketed coils with high-quality foam layers for a supportive and cool sleep experience.
Tomorrow Sleep Hybrid Mattress: Backed by Serta, this hybrid mattress offers a balance of comfort and support, with gel memory foam layers that provide a cool sleeping surface.
Best Mattresses by Material and Type
When searching for the perfect mattress, consider the materials and construction that will suit your preferences. For example, Talalay latex is known for its bounciness and breathability, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more responsive mattress. Copper-infused memory foam offers antimicrobial benefits and can help keep the mattress cool.
Best Mattresses for Specific Sleep Positions
Side Sleepers: Look for medium-firm mattresses that provide enough cushioning for the shoulders and hips, such as the Leesa or Layla mattresses.
Back Sleepers: A medium-firm mattress with cooling technologies, like copper infusion or gel-infused covers, can provide the necessary support and temperature regulation.
Stomach Sleepers: A mattress with a mid-range comfort level, such as the Sapira Hybrid, can ensure proper spinal alignment and support.
Combo Sleepers: The Nest Bedding Alexander Signature offers multiple firmness options and has been praised for its ability to accommodate different sleeping positions.
Top Budget Mattresses
For those on a tight budget, online mattress retailers offer high-quality options at a fraction of the cost of in-store models. The Nectar mattress stands out for its sturdy construction and exceptional value, while Brooklyn Bedding offers a great mattress at an amazing price due to its direct-to-consumer model.
Top Luxury Mattresses
Luxury mattresses can provide a premium sleep experience without the high price tag of in-store options. The DreamCloud 15″ hybrid mattress and the Zenhaven 100% Talalay latex mattress are excellent examples of luxury mattresses that deliver comfort and support.
Recommendations for People with Medical Issues
Back Pain: Mattresses like the Purple and Layla can help alleviate back pain by providing the right balance of support and pressure relief.
Scoliosis: Mattresses that allow for some sinking, such as the Purple or Tomorrow Sleep Hybrid, can accommodate the curvature of the spine.
Neck Pain: An adjustable shredded memory foam pillow can offer the necessary support to alleviate neck pain.
Snoring: An adjustable bed frame can help reduce snoring by elevating the head and improving breathing.
Mattress Sizes and Considerations
When choosing a mattress size, consider the dimensions, the intended users, and the room size. Here’s a quick overview:
Twin: Ideal for children and single adults under 6 feet tall.
Twin XL: Suitable for taller single adults and split adjustable bed users.
Full (Double): Good for children and single adults; may be too small for adult couples.
Queen: A versatile size for single adults and couples.
King: Spacious enough for couples and large pets.
California King: Best for tall couples, offering extra legroom.
Split King: Allows for individual customization on adjustable bed frames.
Our Rating System
We evaluate mattresses based on ten categories, including comfort, support, motion transfer, sleep quality, cooling, materials, durability, and value. Each category is scored on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest.
Why Buy a Mattress Online?
Purchasing a mattress online offers several advantages:
Free shipping directly to your door.
No pressure from salespeople.
Extended trial periods to test the mattress.
High-quality mattresses at lower prices.
The convenience of comparison shopping from home.
By considering these factors and recommendations, you can find the best mattress to suit your needs and enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
Anxiety. It’s a common ailment. When my clients list their medical history, anxiety is often on the list. It seems to be more prevalent than ever. Maybe we are now recognizing and diagnosing it more often, but it is not uncommon for a person of any age, even children, to report various levels of anxiety.
What is anxiety? Many confuse it with stress, but it’s actually more than that. Whereas stress is the body’s physical response in the moment to a situation, anxiety differs in that the physical response continues far after the situation is over. It is almost as if there is no switch to turn “off.” These physical responses can include increased blood pressure, excessive trembling or sweating, chest pains, insomnia, headaches, nausea, dizziness, muscle tension, constipation and/or diarrhea, indigestion, and even rashes or what feels like allergic reactions. The physical manifestations clearly can be many and may cause harm to one’s body over the long term.
The levels of anxiety can be varied as well. I am not a psychiatrist so I won’t get too far into this, but it can range from general anxiety all the way to obsessive compulsive-disorder (OCD) or post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).
The first step to take if you feel you have anxiety is to talk with a mental health professional. That way you can find out where you are on the spectrum and hopefully even find out where the anxiety is stemming from.
Second, which is where I come in, is supporting your body through this process with proper diet. Studies have shown that specific foods can play a huge part in reducing overall anxiety and improving the body’s ability to cope and recover.
While a healthy, balanced diet is what we typically recommend, let’s break it down into specific foods you can choose to support your brain and mental health.
Foods to Calm Your Nerves
Foods high in B Vitamins: Many of the B vitamins are known to help with anxiety and mood. Some great choices include:
Green leafy vegetables (at least one large handful of raw greens daily is ideal!) Spinach, kale, chard, collard greens
Avocado
Citrus fruits
Beans, peas, lentils
Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts
Beets
Bananas
Foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids: The Omega 3’s (DHA and EPA) we know are very beneficial for the brain and may do wonders for your mood. These are foods such as….
Seafood including wild caught salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring and anchovies
Plant sources with pre-cursors to DHA and EPA include flax seed, hemp hearts, chia seeds, walnuts
High quality fish oil supplement
Fermented foods: Numerous studies have shown that our gut microbes talk to our brain. Crazy, isn’t it? Supporting a healthy gut environment, therefore, is an important consideration for our mental health. Fermented foods include:
Cultured dairy products, such as high quality yogurt (few ingredients, low sugar), kefir, buttermilk, cultured butter
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Kombucha
Pickles and other pickled veggies
Miso
Tempeh
Natto
Foods high in antioxidants: Inflammation can definitely put stress on our brains. Fight inflammation with antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory foods. Antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, can also help increase the body’s production of dopamine.
Anthocyanins: blueberries, cherries, grapes, blackberries, pomegranates, red cabbage, purple asparagus
Vitamin C foods: Oranges, kiwis, strawberries, pineapple, mango
Others: goji berries, dark chocolate, herbs and spices (especially turmeric)!
Hydrate!: While not a food, keeping up good fluid intake is so important! Dehydration increases stress on the body which can only exacerbate anxiety. While straight up water is a great choice, teas can also have a very calming effect on the body. Aim for 8 cups per day and even more if sweating excessively.
Foods That May Stress an Already Anxious Mind
While eating more of certain foods can be helpful, we also need to cut out those foods that are increasing stress on your body. These are likely nothing new to you, but they are good reminders!
1. Caffeine
Not everyone reacts adversely to caffeine, but if you are one of those who do, caffeine can definitely raise your anxiety level. Try cutting it out for awhile to see how you respond. On a personal note, someone in my own family did this recently and it did wonders for their mood and overall stress level!
2. Sugar
No surprise here, but sugar increases inflammation, raises blood sugar, and overall is harmful for your brain. Dial it back and choose naturally sweetened foods like fruit instead.
3. Gluten
For some, gluten can be very inflammatory and therefore impact your mood and well-being. Try taking a gluten vacation for a couple of weeks and see how you feel.
4. Processed foods, especially fast food
Another no-brainer, but fast food and other highly processed foods are very low in actual nutrition and high in refined carbs, sugars and additives. Ditch the drive through and seek out healthier alternatives.
5. Artificial sweeteners
A component of many processed foods, I single these out because they may be harmful to our guts and therefore impact brain health. Some of my clients have even reported headaches and other reactions from these sweet additives. Go for the natural sugar if forced to choose but in very small amounts.
6. Avoid any foods you are allergic or sensitive to
Some of you, knowingly or unknowingly, may be suffering from food sensitivity reactions. These reactions cause inflammation which can exacerbate stress and anxiety. If you aren’t sure which foods are causing you problems, an elimination diet can be a good first step. Seek guidance from an RD like myself to help tailor such a plan or dig deeper if the offending foods are elusive. For difficult cases, I like using MRT food sensitivity by Oxford Biomedical for decisive answers (www.nowleap.com).
Hopefully this gives you a few specific food ideas to get started! Again I will reiterate that if you are struggling with anxiety, seek professional help. Don’t do this on your own. Along with expert advice, change up your diet to give your brain the support it needs!
We need to understand that a transplant surgery performed to grow hair back on a bald head again is a major medical procedure that needs to be done by an experienced surgeon at a renowned clinic.
There are multiple things that we need to take care of before and after any surgical procedure. In hair transplant treatment, aftercare process is quite crucial for any patient. So, let’s discuss a few important things connected with FUT (follicular unit transplant) surgery aftercare process.
Hair transplant aftercare is a vital topic that the patients who had a surgery must know and follow without any error.
Every single patient who had a transplant surgery by utilising a strip method, then for the most part it will leave the clinic with a bandage tied to his/her head. However, we need to keep in mind that the bandage is utilised just to help the recently closed donor area on the back of the scalp.
Patients are given medicines to manage the pain for the initial couple of days after the treatment. The main night after transplant surgery, you need to be extra cautious and don’t rub or scratch the transplanted region. It is suggested that all patients relax for the first few days and stay away from overwhelming physical activities.
Patients have to return for doctor assessment and hair wash the day after surgical operation. Amid this first visit, the bandage is expelled and donor area cuts and the transplanted area are evaluated. The donor and beneficiary regions should be washed properly while instructing the patient how to wash it at home on day two to four after restoration procedure.
After the surgery, hair wash should be done twice every day with a special strategy to limit the likelihood of dislodging the unions/grafts. Many patients often inquire as to whether they can skip washing hair inside the initial couple of days to abstain from harming the unions. The appropriate response is absolutely not. Hair wash is an important step in hair transplant care that ensures the usual development of the transplanted hair follicular grafts/unions.
After hair transplant in India, surgeons recommend a couple of limitations in patient’s physical activities. A few clinics suggest exceptionally strict guidelines for physical exercises. It is better that patient keeps his ordinary, everyday exercises with some minor restrictions.
The exercises that add pressure on the operated area edges at the donor zone need to be avoided for the initial month after surgery. Some of those exercises are:
Heavy weightlifting
Excess bending of the neck.
Top hair transplant surgeons in India recommend that patients should stay away from direct sun exposure to the beneficiary area for around a half year after FUT (follicular unit transplant) surgery. Grafts/unions may get damaged because of direct and extreme sun exposure.
A healthy smile is everything. Even a quick smile can boost your mood, increase your confidence and make you feel like a winner. However, a healthy smile doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re looking for white and healthy teeth, you’re in the right place. Check out these 10 simple ways that’ll help you get the smile of your dreams.
Brush Better!
We’re taught by our parents how to brush our teeth at a youthful age. Nowadays, there’s probably an app for that. Yet, according to a 2014 survey by Delta Dental, roughly 30% of all Americans aren’t brushing enough! That’s a crazy amount, especially since your dentist cannot stress enough the importance of brushing your teeth!
First off, start by brushing your teeth for at least two minutes, two times a day. Don’t have time in the morning? Set your alarm clock a few minutes earlier so you have no excuse to put off brushing your teeth. For a healthy smile, make sure you’re brushing in small, circular motions to eliminate much of the plaque coating the surface of your teeth.
Let’s not forget all sides of your teeth, including the back and the gumline. Bacteria loves to gather in these areas, so giving them a good scrub will keep them away. Lastly, replace your toothbrush every 3 months. The bristles that sweep away plaque won’t be of any use if they look like a toilet bowl wand.
Don’t Forget to Floss!
It’s scary to think only 1 in 4 Americans are flossing every day. However, you can’t trick yourself or your dentist, especially when they ask if you’ve been flossing. That’s why it’s important to learn to floss the right way.
The next time you’re in the bathroom, dust off your floss and wind about 12 in. of it around your index fingers. Gently move it between the crevices of your teeth in a curved motion, using about half an inch of floss for each tooth. You’ll be surprised by how much gunk you’ll pull out, and how yellow the floss strand will get. With practice, flossing will take as little as a minute.
Start Using Mouthwash
Having a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss may be one thing, but do you even have mouthwash in your bathroom? Mouthwash is of utter importance; it contains enzymes and minerals that not only repair your teeth, but also neutralizes any acidic foods and drinks you eat. Mouthwash is also useful, to help flush out any remaining chunks of food your floss didn’t reach.
However, we do have to say mouthwash is not an alternative to brushing your teeth. Too much mouthwash can cause dry mouth, which isn’t good if your plan is to have healthy teeth. Stick to swishing a tiny amount in the morning right after brushing and flossing.
Take a Look at Your Diet
Your stomach isn’t the first thing your food faces when getting digested. Your teeth are what breaks down your food into smaller portions for easier swallowing to begin with. Too many sugary or acidic foods can destroy your white teeth.
The next time you’re at the store, fill up your shopping cart with foods that are teeth-friendly. This includes fresh vegetables, non-citrus fruits and assorted nuts.
Quit Drinking Sodas
One of the biggest dangers to your teeth that goes under the radar is sodas. Far too often do we sip on carbonated drinks for an extended period of time not knowing the dangers soda poses to our teeth.
The primary problem is the high concentration of sugar in sodas. Sugar is food for bacteria in your mouth, and these bacteria excrete acidic juices afterwards. This can lead to terrible cases of tooth decay and worse. Keep your teeth healthy by limiting the consumption of sodas to less than one cup a day.
Cool Down on the Hot Drinks
Are you a coffee or tea type of person? These drinks are great for slow mornings, but here’s a wakeup call. Hot drinks can put your teeth at risk for the rest of the day. Scalding temperatures can cause dry mouth and stained teeth, neither of which are enjoyable.
To protect your teeth down the road and make sure they’re white and healthy for a lifetime, put down the entire coffee pot and limit yourself to a cup a morning.
Keep the Alcohol Under Control
Life is easy if you can go home and enjoy a beer or your favorite bottle of wine. However, if you at all care for your teeth you’ll take this wholeheartedly. Alcohol, especially red and white wines, are highly acidic. The acidity in these beverages are a primary cause of tooth decay, stained teeth and can leave your smile dull.
That doesn’t mean you have to give up these drinks entirely! As with the other drinks on the list, keeping it in moderation won’t be a problem for you or a healthy smile.
Stress Less!
It’s hard not to stress, but even the slightest amount of stress can impact a healthy smile. Stress causes anxiety-relieving habits, including grinding and teeth clenching, both of which can wear down the thin layer of enamel that protects your teeth.
Stress varies from person to person, as such so does any relief methods. However, to avoid teeth clenching during the day, chew sugar-free gum, and at night wear a protective mouthguard.
Wear a Mouthguard
Speaking of mouthguards, if you play sports it’s crucial that you wear one. In most sports, coaches won’t even let their players go onto the field without one, so why should you? A mouthguard protects your teeth from any knockout. You don’t want to go home with a bleeding lip and a missing tooth! That’s definitely the opposite of a white set of teeth.
Visit your nearest sporting outlet, or even come to the dentist. When you get a mouthguard, initially you’ll have to warm it up and mold it around your teeth so it’s comfortable when you later use it.
Visit the Dentist!
Keeping up with your teeth is well worth it, and who better to impress than your dentist! Visit your dentist to stay up-to-date on good oral care practices, as well as surprise them with your healthy, white teeth.