One of the familiar songs I usually hear during the holidays is the song, “Happy days are here again…”. I like to change the lyrics a bit to say, “Crazy days are here again…” Yes, craziness is the word I use to describe the holiday rush. All the parties, shopping and cooking can get the better of us and can leave us restless with lots of sleepless nights. Lack of sleep can lead to serious health problems and sleep problems picked up and developed during holidays can linger and persist even after the festivities, excitement and chaos are over. The bad sleeping habits which started during the holidays can stay with you if not stopped and corrected.

GM News offers some few tips on how to avoid picking up bad sleeping habits during the holidays and maintain sleep full nights.

As much as possible try to maintain a regular sleep schedule all days of the week and that means even on weekends and day offs. Try to limit your caffeine consumption to 1-2 cups per day and never after lunchtime. DO not smoke near bedtime and try to avoid using during the night. Also, avoid alcohol to at least 4-6 hours before sleeping time. Large meals should also be avoided before sleeping time.

Avoid any strenuous activity four hours before sleep. If you find it hard to fall asleep at night, do not spend the night tossing around in your bed and waiting for sleep to arrive. Instead, get out of bed and engage in a quiet and non-stimulating activity like reading. Simply return to bed when you are feeling sleepy. Lastly and very importantly, create a comfortable bedroom environment as much as possible by minimizing light and noise and keep the temperature as comfortable as possible.

I remember the time I was given my independence and I had to live by myself and that’s after high school graduation. Entering a college is somewhat daunting but at the same time it was a great adventure! I asked my parents if I could stay in a dorm near the university. At first they were hesitant but they finally granted my wish after I told them that I would study hard and not party harder! I am not a very bright student but I worked solidly to pass the grades. The only problem that I encountered during my liberty was when I had to struggle with my sleeping issues. “Great Grades Start with a Great Night’s Sleep”. Every student knows the importance of sleeping well, most especially when exams are coming up but my dorm room was not as comfortable as it might have been even though I had arranged everything just how I wanted it. Eventually, I managed to squeeze my eyes shut and endure the small space for studying. I just wanted to tell this story of mine because I know that high school students nearly always wish to live independently like me. So a little piece of advice is to be prepared and to be as resourceful as possible, particularly with regard to sleeping well!

Students will soon be heading off to college, and before they hit their new dorm room, DOWNLITE offers five handy tips to making sure college residence hall students pick the perfect bedding for a great night’s sleep.

“The choice of bedding can make a big difference in having fun and getting good grades in college,” said Stefan Hunter, Director of eCommerce and Retail for DOWNLITE. “Getting enough rest is important when studying, but bedding also has to be very functional in a dorm room environment.”

DOWNLITE recommends:

1. Don’t settle for the cheap bedding from the big box stores. Lower quality bedding with low thread counts may look cheap, but chances are the comfort will not be there and the sheets won’t last long. Lower thread count sheets will be rough and not comfortable no matter how many times you wash them. Also, they won’t last long with all of the times you will wash them. They will lose their shape quick and you will have to replace them sooner.
2. Buy the right size. This might sound simple, but this mistake is made every year. Most of the beds in dorm rooms are Twin XL, but it is a good idea to ask the college housing service in advance of buying sheets.
3. Choose natural fabrics over synthetic fabrics. College dorms often run hotter or colder than expected because they accommodate many students. More natural fabric can help your body breathe when the temperature is not comfortable. For example, a down comforter works a lot better in the dorms than a polyester one.
4. Use a feather bed. Your dorm bed functions as your study area, your snacking area, your couch and even a place to sleep. Why suffer with a hard and lumpy dorm bed. Make it more comfortable by investing in a comfortable feather bed. Add in a washable mattress cover just in case of accidental spills.
5. Use different colors and patterns to style up the room. A flashback to the 1960s, geometric designs and bright colors are in. Be brave, be bold, and be in style in college.

“Don’t also forget about skin allergies, especially in lower priced bedding,” Hunter said. “We recommend getting higher quality sheets that help people with allergies.”

About DOWNLITE

DOWNLITE is America’s premiere manufacturer of down and feather bedding. A descendant of a 100-year-old feather processing company, DOWNLITE began to make down comforters and pillows in the late seventies. Today DOWNLITE is recognized as the leader in quality and service.