On the outside, I try to project an image of having it all together. But underneath that, I'm kind of a disaster. Hence... the name of the site: GlossyVeneer. When I got my pillow, I also had the opportunity to ask a few questions of Pete Bills, Vice President of Sleep Innovation and Clinical Research for Select Comfort. That’s a great title, huh? I wonder if he gets to sleep on the job and say it is “research”…
Here are the questions that I thought of in regard to sleep and quality of rest and his answers.
1) What are “trigger points” when mentioned in terms of sleeping and sleep-comfort?
When in contact with a mattress, certain areas of our body naturally bear more weight than others, causing pressure points. In the most common sleeping position—on our sides—the hips and shoulders support most of our weight. On our backs, the shoulder blades and our bottoms bear the load. In an overly firm mattress, the pressure created at these points can become excessive, actually cutting off circulation, creating discomfort and that “pins and needles” or numbness sensation. This is because the body is lying “on top” of the mattress, not “in it”. During the night, the result is extensive tossing and turning.
When the body is allowed to settle into a properly designed and supportive bed, much more of the body comes into physical contact with the mattress surface, more evenly distributing our weight, and greatly reducing those pressure points of the hips and shoulders (the proper pillow helps, too!). Tossing and turning is reduced; sleep quality dramatically improves.
2) I think many people don’t give much thought to their pillow, but are often unhappy with what they’re sleeping on. Why should people pay attention to pillow selection?
The two essential ingredients for a comfortable and restful night’s sleep are a bed pillow that reflects your individuality and a mattress you can personalize to your comfort preference. Your bed pillow plays just as important a role as your mattress in helping you sleep with proper spine alignment so you don’t wake with aches and pains in your neck or shoulder. For example, the pillow a stomach sleeper should use is very different from the pillow for side or back sleepers. A stomach sleeper needs a fat pillow so their neck isn’t arched upward, whereas back or side sleepers need more neck support. Pillow shoppers should consider their sleeping position, the preference for how soft or firm they like their pillow to be and their fabric and fill preferences (especially important for allergy sufferers).
3) What about other aspects of bedding (sheets, blankets)… anything people should pay attention to beyond whether it ‘looks good’?
Bedding can certainly contribute (or disrupt!) sleep quality. Imagine burlap sheets and blankets—scratchy, uncomfortable, and hot! Better fabrics and correct layering in bedding can make significant differences in comfort both in terms of tactile feel and temperature. Newer textile technologies better manage temperature and even allergen levels (bacteria, dust mites, etc.)
4) Are there certain things that people who suffer from allergies can do/should do to ensure a better night sleep?
Yes, there are several. I just wrote a blog post on this very topic.
5) What other factors influence sleep?
Room temperature, sound machines, scents… it seems like there are so many things on the market, what items are “legit” in terms of getting a good night’s rest? Numerous other factors influence sleep. [See a recent blog post on sleep tips written by Pete] In general, there is an ideal set of conditions for sleep, and if you can’t achieve those, there are legitimate, non-pharmacological, science based interventions that will help.
For example: darker is better—eye masks are very effective to counter unwanted, unavoidable light.
Sudden, unexpected noises disrupt sleep, especially in a silent environment—sound machines can mask those by creating an omnipresent “noise floor” that you quickly become accustomed to. Loud, unexpected noises are not as disruptive with this soothing background sound in place. In other words, there is no silence to shatter!
HEPA air filters dramatically reduce allergen levels.
New fabrics help regulate temperature swings in the bed.
Solid scientific research on aromatherapy is scarce, but many sleepers report that scents such as lavender are soothing and soporific.
I just want to thank Select Comfort for giving me these opportunities. It’s nice to be exposed to additional products from a company that I appreciate simply because I mentioned my satisfaction here. However, it is kind of weird that I started to receive junk mailings trying to convince me to buy a Sleep Number bed AFTER I had already purchased one. Just saying… maybe that aspect of marketing needs to be worked on. 
