The power of sleep

Buying a bed is a long-term investment in your health, wellbeing and happiness. Here’s how to choose the right one for you.

Most people spend about a third of their lives in bed – more time than you’ll spend with your couch, TV or kitchen appliances. According to experts, four in 10 Australians are not getting adequate sleep. And numerous studies have found a link between insufficient rest and an increased chance of developing conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A good night’s sleep is vital to our physical health and emotional wellbeing. The benefits of goodquality sleep include improved memory, a stronger immune system, higher energy and reduced stress – and should never be underestimated. It makes sense then to invest in the piece of furniture that can help you live a healthier, more productive life. Knowing which bed is right for you, however, can be difficult. Luckily, the sleep experts at Forty Winks are serious about sleep – and to make the process easier, they have invested in a patented diagnostic system called bedMATCH™, which takes the confusion out of buying a bed by pairing your body and individual sleep needs to the right mattress. You enter details such as your gender, age and preferred sleeping position into the computer instore. Then kick off your shoes and lie on the bedMATCH™ test bed, which has built-in sensors that take up to 18 different body measurements, including your height and the width of your shoulders, hips and waist. The system performs more than 1000 scientific calculations to work out the exact levels of postural support your body needs, before the Forty Winks team recommends mattresses that are right for you. Along with finding the best mattress, there are many ways to improve your sleep. Light exposure – even just a glowing alarm clock – can disturb slumber so remember: sleep dark, wake bright. Doing moderate exercise can help you fall asleep 15 minutes earlier and sleep roughly 45 minutes longer. And if you have trouble nodding off, chamomile tea can reduce stress and anxiety, helping you to fall asleep quicker.