Raise your hand if you don’t want a blissful night’s sleep. Yeah, I thought so. We know sleep is important, but we don’t really ever talk or hear about ‘healthier sleep.’ We watch what we eat and exercise, but why don’t we focus more on how we spend a THIRD of our life? Why is that? Sleep. It’s BIG and we’re going to talk about it.

Getting ample sleep has HUGE benefits, from a longer lifespan to weight-management, mood, increased energy, decreased stress, better attention span and even improved creativity! We all know we’re in a better mood and ready to tackle the day after a good night’s sleep, but sleep is a crucial factor in your everyday health.

Getting ample sleep has HUGE benefits, from a longer lifespan to better memory, weight-management, mood, energy, less stress, better attention span and even creativity! We all know we’re in a better mood and ready to tackle the day after a good night’s sleep, but sleep is a crucial factor in health longevity.

Beth over at Bliss Sleep Center invited One Healthy Hamptons for a tour of the new store and boy did we talk sleep! Here are Beth’s top tips for a fabulous night’s sleep:

• know what you’re sleeping on/in. The chemicals in your mattress or bedding could be keeping you up or may be causing other health risks.
• maintain a consistent sleeping schedule for bed time and wake up.
• relax before bed to wind down physically and mentally.  This includes turning off your electronic devices.  Instead read a book before bed.
• make comfort a priority. Everyone’s sleep needs are different so customize your sleep system for your ultimate comfort.
• exercise regularly, it will help you sleep and vice versa.
• eat healthy (There are certain foods that actually help you sleep better.  For example blueberries.)
• leave time for digestion after dinner.
• avoid caffeine, alcohol, and too much protein prior to bed, it will keep your body up.

Beth Lee Schlendorf just started Bliss Sleep Center in Water Mill to help customers much like herself to achieve healthier sleep. Rewind about a year ago, Beth found herself excited to use her brand new mattress, when she read on the label that the mattress must ‘air out’ for 48 hours before use. As Beth slowly became overwhelmed with the smell of chemicals coming from her new mattress, she began to do some research and was blown away with what she found. The ingredients used in typical bedding are poorly regulated and can cause cancer, reproductive issues, learning disabilities in kids, and who knows what else. Beth is a believer in healthy eating and daily exercise, so she started wondering about the effects of sleeping on this mattress that was oozing with chemicals…and what else around the home, specifically the bedroom, can make for healthier living. Enter, Bliss Sleep Center, a one stop shop for all your sleeping needs.

As Beth further researched, she came to the conclusion that organic bedding was the only option. Only, which bed? Where to buy? Where to try? Although she wanted healthy and natural, Beth acknowledged the most important factor in sleep: comfort. She wanted to try out the products before purchasing, but she was at a loss, hence her idea to open the store and help others learn how to improve their own sleep. Bliss Sleep Center showcases a wide variety of mattresses, pillows, sheets, children’s furniture, cribs, duvets, and more. I got the grand tour and even tested out some mattresses to give you all the fun facts!

Bliss Sleep Center is the only ‘healthy bedding’ store throughout Long Island that allows you to see, touch, and test the products firsthand. Beth offers a variety of price points, her favorite being the Royal-Pedic (which Beth refers to as the “Bentley of Mattresses,” which reclines and has a built-in massaging feature.) Everything is custom to the customer’s preference, they even have mattresses that allow to be customized differently for each side of the bed. The wool duvet covers regulate heat for all those couples who can’t agree on temperature. Beth sleeps cold and her husband sleeps hot; the wool duvet both cools and warms accordingly, both on a mattress custom for their own comfort-preferences.

Everything comes with tons of options, from comfort to colors and patterns. The kids stuff is adorable as well, there’s definitely no sacrificing of ‘cuteness’ for quality.

So, what really is the difference? This bedding is made without common industry ingredients such as PBDE’s, (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers aka flame retardants) petroleum-based foam, GMO’s, pesticides, hermacides, etc. Scary stuff!

Some of the benefits Beth and other natural ‘sleep converters’ have experienced? More energy, healthier skin (they don’t call it beauty sleep for nothin’!) decreased feelings of stress, anxiety and depression, fewer headaches, mind clarity, consistently sleeping through the night, less back pain, milder allergy symptoms,…and, lastly, lots more reports of oversleeping. Oops! These products are also naturally dust-mite repellent, hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial, mold, and mildew resistant.

As I said to Beth, when I can afford a ‘sleeping renovation,’ I’ll be back to Bliss immediately! She understands the commitment and suggests making changes as life allows you to. When you’re ready for a change, or when it’s time to replace things at home, do your homework. Eat healthy, sleep healthy, and re-examine your home for toxicity. Aren’t we glad Beth happened to buy that new mattress, do the research for us, make this a priority for her own family and now for yours?

One Healthy Breakdown: we evaluate our food and activity, it’s time we sleep healthier too! Stop in to Bliss Sleep Center to chat sleep with Beth!