Here it comes! Like a black and white-checkered flag, Labor Day signals the end of the race for cooler weather. Soon we'll be reunited with our favorite jackets and sweaters. The crisp chill in the air also reminds us the holiday season is just around the corner; a time when we're visited by loved ones. While the holidays may still be a few months away, it's never too early to start looking for a new guest bedroom mattress set. Show dear Uncle Frank just how much you care. Here are a few tips to help you take advantage of great deals for spare rooms, or even yourself, this Labor Day.

 

Shop the sales. Mattress retailers offer huge discounts, especially around the holidays. So click the link to the right for the best savings.

 

Shop with your partner. Yes, getting him to come along might be tough, but it'll be worth it. Test the mattresses together and agree on the one that's right for both of you.

Buy the set. Mattresses and foundations are designed to work as a team. Getting one without the other may reduce the comfort and support you receive. It may also shorten the bed's lifespan and even affect its warranty.

 

Take your time. You'll spend more hours in bed than just about anyplace else. So don't make a rash decision. Regret feels even worse after a sleepless night.

 

Test it out. According to Consumer Reports, shoppers should test the bed for at least 15 minutes. A good salesperson will give you space while you make sure the mattress is right for you.

 

Roomier is comfier. It may be obvious, but couples should sleep on at least a queen-sized bed. It doesn't matter how in love you are, a full-sized mattress is just too cramped for two people and all the involuntary movement that happens during the wee hours.

 

Did you know September 25th is Family Health and Fitness Day? Getting plenty of exercise and eating right is only one side of the coin. Receiving plenty of quality sleep helps decrease the risks of diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease and even weight gain. CNN's health page offers seven tips to get you set on the right sleep-track.

 

Halt your afternoon habit.
Everyone knows drinking coffee or tea right before you hit the sack won't do your sleep any favors. But experts say you also need to watch your afternoon drinks. Coffee beverages pack a real wallop of caffeine, so avoid them after lunch. Love your 4 p.m. peach tea? It also has caffeine, and so do some flavored waters and even orange sodas. Check the labels on your favorite midday drinks -- any featuring energy-boosting benefits are likely culprits. Then, if possible, stop sipping them by 2 p.m, allowing plenty of time for their effects to wear off.

 

Choose sleep-inducing superfoods.
While it's important to avoid a big, heavy meal right before bed (a full stomach will disturb your sleep), some foods may actually help you snooze, says Joan Salge Blake, RD, a clinical associate professor at Boston University.

If you've had a few restless nights, make a light whole-wheat pasta dish with fresh vegetables, a little diced chicken breast, tomato sauce and a sprinkle of parmesan for dinner. This meal contains a snooze-friendly combination of protein and tryptophan, an amino acid that converts to sleep-promoting serotonin in the body.

If your stomach's growling late at night, try a small bowl of cottage cheese with banana slices, another dish that serves up tryptophan. Other combos of healthy carbohydrates and protein, such as milk with graham crackers or yogurt sprinkled with cereal, will also do the trick.

 

Sip wine sooner.
Even though a nightcap may help you relax and fall asleep faster, it'll make the second half of your sleep cycle restless and unsatisfying. "Alcohol decreases deep sleep and increases arousals from sleep," says Dr. John E. Brown, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Maryland.

If you enjoy a glass of wine in the evening, have it with dinner. Drink in moderation, so the effects wear off by the time you lie down.

 

Take an early soak.
Like to unwind in the tub before you snooze? Surprisingly, a hot bath might make it harder for you to drift off. Increased body temperature too close to bedtime may actually hinder you from falling asleep.

"Your body needs to cool to a certain temperature in order to reach a sound slumber," says J. Todd Arnedt, Ph.D., director of the University of Michigan Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program.

That doesn't mean you can't soak after a rough day, just not right before turning in.

 

Stretch for sleep.
You probably already know exercising at night can disrupt sleep. Dr. Brown recommends doing any intense workouts at least six hours before you slip between the sheets. On the othe - hand, some gentle, restorative yoga before bed can help put your mind at ease, steady your breath and reduce muscle tension all without revving up your heart.

 

Set the mood for slumber.
Keeping your room dark while you sleep is a great start, but dimming the lights before bed is also important.

"Bright light too close to bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep," Arnedt says.

That's because dimness signals the body to wind down, while bright light says, "Daytime!" Swap out überbright bedroom bulbs for low-watt ones, or install a dimmer switch for bedtime. Like to read in bed? Do it in the lowest light that's still comfortable.

 

Ban your BlackBerry.
Resist the urge to send that final email before turning in. Typing in bed can wind you up, so when you do unplug, it will be harder to fall asleep, Knutson says. "It's possible that even the vibration of a BlackBerry could disturb sleep if a person is cued to respond to it," she says.

If technology is disrupting your sleep, try disconnecting an hour before bed. Shut down your smart phone and move all gadgets to an out-of-reach dresser or, better yet, another room. Invest in a real alarm clock. Using your cell phone will only give you another excuse to keep it close.

With the right mattress and a little preparation, get ready to wake up feeling so refreshed that you won't even need to press snooze.

For more information, visit the link below to view the complete article, "7 Ways to Get the Best Sleep Ever" by Leslie Barrie of Health.com

http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/08/17/how.best.sleep/index.html

Past Newsletters:
Ah, summertime. (Aug st2010)
New options for recycling old mattresses (June 2010)
Test your sleep IQ with the Simmons® Quiz of the Day sweepstakes
Fight the cold and flu with sleep (October 2009)
Waking up to the facts about snoring (September 2009)
Benefits of a New Bed (August 2009)
Beautyrest Promotion (June 2009)
Memorial Day (May 2009)
Pillow Promotion (May 2009)
Get Ready for the Holidays (November 2008)
Beat The Heat (August 2008)

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