Importance of a good night's sleep for travelers
Of all the amenities a hotel can offer, perhaps the most essential is a good night's rest. The question is: "How important is a good night's sleep to a hotel guest?"

• According to the American Hotel & Lodging Association, 69 percent of surveyed hotels reported that they had upgraded their bedding in the past year.

A 2005 report found that over a quarter of the surveyed guests would be more likely to select a hotel that had upgraded bedding.

Hotel guests also can take steps to improve their own sleep experiences. Here are some dos and don'ts for getting a good night's sleep while traveling:

Do:

• Keep regular sleep hours. Take naps on the weekends to help you stick to a regular routine.
• Bring your own alarm clock if you worry about waking up on time.
• Use soft music or a little white noise to tune out distracting sounds.
• Eat something light if you're hungry before bed, like a piece of fruit or a bowl of cereal.

Don't:

• Watch television or work on your computer before bedtime. Your mind needs rest too.
• Exercise before trying to sleep.
• Drink alcohol or caffeine at least three hours before bedtime.

Sleep and America's Lack of Energy
Some factors contributing to Americans' lack of energy are issues with sleep. The National Sleep Foundation reports, "63 percent of people surveyed do not get enough hours of sleep."

What are the sleeping problems that contribute to the lack of energy?


Source: Guideline "Cashing In On A Good Night's Sleep" Survey Results

The Quest for Perfect Rest: Tips for Quality Sleep
Of all of life's pleasures, one of the best and simplest is a good night's sleep. But with the hectic schedules many of us have, sleeping well can sometimes seem like a luxury we can't afford. However, restful sleep is an essential part of life, so take a little time, treat yourself to some simple pleasures and create your own quality sleep experience.

Here's a few guilt-free indulgences you can pamper yourself with at the end of a long day that can transform your bedroom into a sleep retreat you can't wait to come home to.

Keep in a cool, dark place.
Like a fine bottle of wine, you want to rest in a dark place, with draperies to block out light if need be. Think pink light bulbs or decorative shades to add a twilight glow. Setting the thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit makes curling up under a thick blanket the cozy pleasure it should be.

Break the silence.
If little noises creep in, try tuning them out with a touch of white noise, like an air conditioner, fan or sound machine.

The fabric of our nights.
Smooth sateen sheets made of 100 percent cotton can be sinfully soft; the higher the thread count, the better.

Make your bed and lie in it.
A good night's sleep can depend on the mattress you buy, so indulging in high quality bedding may be a sound investment. Manufacturers make a variety of beds to meet personal needs, so take care to choose the mattress that's right for you. A good pillow ramps up the comfy factor, too.

Snoozing is nothing to sneeze at.
Air purifiers may help reduce airborne allergens in your bedroom retreat. Try mattresses and pillows with anti-allergen features if you suffer from allergies.

Have Zen with your den.
A peaceful mind is a restful mind, so keep TVs, computers or work-related items out of your bedroom. A clutter-free space is peaceful and relaxing. Hide the clock, too. The alarm will still find you when it's time to get up. If you can't sleep, constantly looking at the clock only makes it worse.

Baby your inner baby.
Readjusting your sleep schedule from weekend to week can make it harder to sleep. Get up and go to bed at the same time every day. If necessary, take a nap on weekends to help you stick to your rest regimen. Encourage a steady sleep schedule with a bedtime treat, like a lavender hand cream or aromatherapy spray for your pillow. Lavender-scented products may improve sleep.

Take time to unwind.
No one relaxes in a hurry. Dim the lights, light some aromatherapy candles or take a hot bath. Curl up in a comfortable chair and read a book. Don't exercise your body or excite your mind before bed.

Don't booze and snooze.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine for at least three hours before bed. If you really need something to sip on, try herbal tea instead.

Snack now, sleep later.
If you're hungry, your stomach won't let you sleep, but don't indulge here. Eat something light, like a piece of fruit or a bowl of cereal - nothing too big.

Moving On Up: The Luxury Trend
Luxury items are not something consumers just purchase anymore, they are something consumers experience. Many affluent Americans are willing to spend significant amounts of money on new products and technology as long as they receive an improved experience in return. This type of spending has grown in recent years, resulting in the creation of a new luxury market, and it looks like the trend will continue:

• 30.2 million U.S. households have incomes of $75,000 or more.*
• Surveyed households had an annual income of $235,900 and spend over 20 percent of their income on luxury goods and services.*
• In 2005, the average luxury consumer spent $52,588 on luxuries.*
• In 2005, the leading global luxury marketers showed an average revenue growth of 10.9 percent.*

This trend is already evident in the mattress industry. In 2005, 24 percent of households that purchased mattresses spent at least $1000, up from 14 percent in 2000.* The increase in luxury spending is driven by a number of cultural factors, including:

Celebrity Choices

• Some consumers purchase luxury products as a way of emulating celebrities.
• Consumers see their favorite TV characters using specific products (For example, Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw and her Manolo Blahniks).
• Celebrity home TV shows expose viewers to the products the stars use in real life.

Consumer Decisions to Trade Up

• Many value-conscious consumers are willing to purchase luxury products that supply emotional satisfaction.
• The segment of the U.S. population that "trades up" represents $535 billion in annual consumer spending and is growing 15 percent each year.
• Of surveyed luxury consumers, 64 percent will pay more when they receive services that are special and personal.

The Aging Baby Boomer Population

• Baby boomer consumers are purchasing luxury products to soothe the aches and pains associated with getting older.
• Baby boomers make up 57 percent of all households with incomes of $100,000+, enabling them to purchase luxury products.
• Baby boomers annually spend $22,631 on luxury goods and $17,651 on luxury experiences.

The Gen X Mentality

• Gen X consumers want the same experiences as their baby boomer colleagues.
• Affluent Gen Xers spend $26,751 on luxury goods annually, which is 18 percent more than baby boomers.
• Gen Xers are more likely to place a greater emphasis on active or experiential products (such as sports cars and boats) than baby boomers.

Exposure to Luxury During Travel

• Many consumers experience luxury products while on vacation and want to recreate that experience at home.
• Westin Hotels & Resorts feature the Heavenly Bed® by Simmons to give guests the ultimate luxury sleep experience during their travels.

So how does Beautyrest Black® bedding fit into the luxury trend? Buying a luxury mattress is like buying a luxury automobile; affluent consumers are seeking the experience it provides. Since people spend one-third of their lives in bed, splurging on a mattress helps them make the most out of those eight hours each night, so they can better experience life during the day.

*French, Dana. "Bedding spending rises to $10.6B in '05 as more consumers buy high-end goods." Furniture/Today. April 10, 2006.

What Moms Want Simmons has conducted focus groups and research studies to understand the purchasing values of parents and has tailored products to meet those emotional and practical needs.

Themes and Findings:
Sleep is priceless. For moms of infants, the value of sleep is immeasurable - emotionally and monetarily. Moms are:

• Aware of the exact amount of sleep their baby was getting.
• Consciously doing what they can to encourage sleep.
• Anxiously waiting for restful, wake-free nights.
• Willing to pay top dollar for the assurance of their baby's restful sleep.
• Viewing a baby mattress purchase as an important investment.
• Willing to spend more on proven products, especially if recommended by friends or professionals - this is even more true for first time moms.

Baby sleep is surrounded by hype. Moms feel that a lot of information is disseminated about the topic, but that product selection is limited.

• Pediatricians have opinions and parenting magazines are filled with articles; also, many books are written on the specific topic of sleep.
• Moms try to be experts by reading about effective products and "causes of concern," such as SIDS, product recalls and bad sleeping habits (for example, allowing one's baby to get used to something that cannot be kept consistent, like rocking them to sleep).
• Most respondents could not discern differences among the baby mattresses available. Moms often purchase the brand that they themselves used.
• Small accessory sleep items get more "attention" than the most important sleep item - the mattress. (Moms can tout product features and brand of their baby monitor or mobile but are hard pressed to remember why they chose their mattress brand).
• Moms feel that there are recognizable brands for items such as car seats, strollers and highchairs but don't identify a company as the clear "baby mattress expert."

Moms appreciate educational efforts and resources
Overall, respondents felt that shopping for a mattress was a confusing exercise. They embraced Simmons' plan to apply illustrative and easy-to-read point of sale materials that help identify the features and benefits of each mattress.

Simmonskids.com also is a source for tips on achieving a clean & healthy sleep environment for babies and kids.

Fast Stats

• 69% of new parents purchase their own baby mattress.
• 24% of grandparents will also purchase a baby mattress for their home.
• 60% of parents would consider purchasing their baby mattress online.
• 32% will include a baby mattress on their gift registry.
• Most important features to consider when shopping for a baby mattress: Firm but comfortable, waterproof, safety/proper fit in crib, durable, flame retardant, warranty, hypoallergenic, aesthetics, coil count, ability to wipe off, fabric covering edge of seams, brand and affordability*

* Research conducted April 8, 2004, by outside market research company.

Tips for Keeping Your Kids Healthy at Home Philip M. Tierno, Jr., Ph.D., author of "The Secret Life of Germs," is Director of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology at New York University Medical Center and is a member of the faculty at NYU School of Medicine. He has appeared on such shows as 20/20, Oprah, Dateline, Today and PrimeTime to discuss the prevalence of germs and the proper cleaning methods for avoiding illness.

Dr. Tierno offers the following tips to keep in mind when discussing the unique hygiene needs of children:

• Children harbor more organisms than adults because their immune systems are not fully developed until adolescence.
• Children are less tidy and don't fully understand how diseases are transmitted.
• Children are less likely to wash their hands and take proper precautions to avoid risk.
• Children are more prone to infection than adults because they do not have adult immunities.

What can parents do to promote a healthy environment at home?

Encourage proper hand-washing techniques.

• Teach your children to rub their hands vigorously with soap and warm water for as long as it takes them to sing "Happy Birthday" (about 20 seconds), then repeat. Children should complete this process several times per day especially after using the toilet and before eating or drinking.
• Tell your children not to touch their mouth, nose or eyes after coming in contact with public surfaces like those found in buses, trains and taxis.

Kids will put toys in their mouths; be sure they're clean.

• Sanitize stuffed animals by vacuuming them weekly or putting them in a hot dryer.
• Use hydrogen peroxide or soap and water to clean toys; be sure to let them dry completely. You also could apply a disinfectant spray such as Lysol and leave on for 10 minutes. Then wash toy with soap and water and let dry.

Beware of the kitchen.

• The kitchen sink is the dirtiest place in one's home, and the kitchen sponge is the most germ-infested item. Parents should properly sanitize sponges and dishrags with a diluted bleach solution, such as one part bleach to nine parts water.
• Avoid wiping your dining table with the kitchen sponge or dishrag to prevent cross-contamination from meat and vegetable germs.
• Replace sponges every three weeks due to the build-up of trapped food particles.
• Transferring your garbage bag can spread salmonella. Pay attention to whether your trash receptacle is wet. If so, clean with bleach and water and let dry before inserting a new liner.

Monsters aren't under the bed anymore ... they're in it.
Beds can harbor millions of dust mites that feed on the dead skin cells that everyone sloughs off while they sleep. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, dust mites may be one of the most common sources of year-round allergies and asthma.

You can start protecting your children now by:

• Using an impervious cover on your child's mattress or using a mattress like the HealthSmart™ Bed, which not only captures allergens but also enables them to be washed away.
• Washing sheets once per week in hot water, detergent and bleach.
• Avoiding the use of heavy drapes and carpeting in the home; hard surfaces work best since they don't trap debris and allergens, and they can be easily cleaned.

Just when you thought the bathroom was a safe haven...

• Wipe down your shower walls after every use to prevent soap scum and germ build-up.
• Shower liners should be replaced frequently, especially if moldy.
• Lower toilet lid before flushing to limit water aerosols.
• Let toothbrushes air-dry and store them in the medicine cabinet to avoid contamination that occurs from flushing the toilet.

If in doubt, remember that a damp environment is conducive to germ growth. Allow everything to air-dry.

 

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