Sleep on This
Dr. Stephen Franson has teamed up with local mattress icon Gardner Mattress to create a line of perfect sleep surfaces…and we’re giving one away.
A year ago, Gardner approached me and asked if I would be interested in designing a line of mattresses. I leapt at the chance and accepted under three conditions: 1) the mattress would have to be the highest quality, offering chiropractically correct spinal support, 2) they would have to be all-natural and all-organic, with no toxic chemical emissions, and 3) they would be produced observing Green Environmental Production Standards. Gardner agreed, and the Franson Sleep Well Mattress Line was born.
They are incredibly comfortable and designed to promote extraordinarily restful sleep. A sample mattress is available in the front office at Franson Family Chiropractic and the full line is available for the “lay-down” test at the Gardner Showroom floor. They are offered in three firmness levels: Very Firm, Ultra-Firm and Wicked Firm (“firm” does not imply hard, as can be attested by the many patients that have had to be woken up for their adjustments after dozing off on the office model. Firmness is the key quality for the consumer who is prone to morning stiffness and joint achiness. There is much market confusion here).
As is our practice tradition, we will be hosting our Christmas/Holiday Give-away Contest. This year the Grand Prize is a Franson Sleep Well Mattress (the size of your choice). http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=170987337854&index=1
The easiest way to rack up points towards winning the mattress is to join the Bonfire Health Facebook Fan Page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/BonfireHealth?ref=ts You can refer others to join as well – just tell them to note that they were referred by you. They get healthier, and you get points towards the contest.
Sleep is an incredibly important part of health and wellness. In fact, experts say that sleep actually rivals nutrition and exercise for promoting health. More good news!
Included in this post is a sample of one of the Bonfire Program Insights. The Insights are weekly modules that act as lesson plans for the program. This module focuses on the health benefits of sleep. Here is a sample of what you’ve been missing:
For thousands of generations, the cycles of the sun and daylight dictated the rhythm of our lives. When the sun went down – so did you. The world was a dangerous place in the dark, so our ancestors would grab their mate, head back to the cave, and call it a day early. There was no modern appliance or electronic technology to keep them up – so nightfall signaled the end of the day. Very often in the modern world, sunset simply marks the beginning of the second half of the day.
Late night television, all-night computer gaming, 24 hour drive-thru’s and 80 hour work weeks have created a cultural norm of nocturnal living that is unrecognizable to our ancient hard-wiring. If you are like most people, your body expects and requires more sleep than it gets.
In fact, Dr. John Madeira, author of Brain Rules, says that 90% of Americans are chronically over-tired. Although this has noticeable implications in our day-to-day lives, like mid-day head bobbing and black circles under your eyes, the silent damage you’ll experience with sleep deprivation is a real killer – literally (brainrules.net).
Our body uses sleep to rest and repair our tissues. Our brain requires sleep to process the information from the day. Critical sleep cycles involve hormone balancing that affects everything from your energy and moods to your metabolism and ability to regulate your body weight. Sleep deprivation is actually a predictor of obesity.
Healthy sleep patterns promote complete sleep cycles. Your brain goes through different sleep phases when you rest. REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement) involves dreaming; non-REM sleep is the deepest and most critical phase of sleep. This is the time that your most vital repair and recharge takes place. The more complete sleep cycles you experience, the better. For most of us, that means getting back to the cave – earlier (marksdailyapple.com).
In order to ensure maximal complete sleep cycles, humans thrive best when we follow the Circadian Rhythm that is coiled deep inside your DNA. Dictated by the light of the sun, this rhythm is a physiological set point that has promoted early to bed, early to rise for millennia. Getting to bed before 11 p.m. is a Best Practice followed by the healthiest, most energized people in the world. Tallying seven hours or more of quality sleep has been shown to increase longevity. And, low and behold, the afternoon nap turns out to be one of the most effective and productive methods for increasing energy, improving cognitive skills and focus, while mitigating the adverse effects of chronic stress by lowering circulating stress hormones like Cortisol.
Try going to bed fifteen minutes earlier for 21 days. Studies show that a new habit can be formed within 21 consecutive days. Repeat this every 21 days until your target “bedtime” is reached. This Vital Behavior is effective in conquering the late night habit that leaves you nodding off at the wheel.
Help Nudge yourself into bed on time by creating a sleep sanctuary. Invest in a quality sleep surface, a high quality pillow and comfortable clothes. Practice an eFast (no electronics) 30 minutes before bed – in fact, keep the TV, Blackberry and computer out of the bedroom all together.
Avoid foods or drink, like caffeine or alcohol that disturb healthy sleep patterns. Keep conversations relaxed and loving - discuss or focus on the things that went well that day; never argue before bed – emotional upset is the most common cause of “social insomnia.” Journal, pray or visualize a better tomorrow, and be grateful for today.
Bonfire Sleep Challenge
- Lights out 15 minutes earlier for 21 Days until you reach your “bedtime” goal
- Go to bed at the same time every day/get up at the same time every day
- eFast 30 minutes before sleeping
If you loved this information and want more…go to bonfirehealth.com. Start today and join a community of people who have decided to take back their health destiny. Create a better life through better living.
Now go live like you mean it.
Dr. Stephen Franson
