Sleep is one of the great mysteries of life. Studies have shown that lack of sleep contributes to everything from a simple sluggish feeling felt throughout your day to an increased risk of heart attack. But if you have recently been struck by cupid and you can’t sleep, buddy you are in a hopeless situation! For the rest of us, fortunately, there are some things you can to do to get your sleeping schedule back on track.

We blame everything from the sedentary life we lead to car seats, chairs, long working hours, improper lights, lack of physical activity, hereditary problems, and hormonal imbalances - except the faulty choice of mattress. The fact is it is the most important factor for healthy sleep, especially when we know we spend one third of our life on it.

The body position is crucial while you lay down.  Here comes the foremost need of a proper mattress. A correct position of the vertebral column is very important to ensure that there is no back pain. For this one needs a mattress that would spread across the contour of the body and supports every area while one sleeps.

A mattress that breaths is important. "The open cells of the foam offer just that. With the air circulating within the cell, the mattress is kept fresh and cool," points out Anand Nichani, MD of Polyflex India.

"The fabric of the mattress is very important. It should be resistant to dust and bacteria, as well as thermo regulating so as to ensure that you don’t breathe any toxic material while you sleep," adds Anand. The mattresses, also, should not contain any harmful chemicals, as one can inhale that and it might lead to severe health consequences. Picking up the right mattress (eco-friendly) is also very important.

Fixing a time to go to bed and waking up is just as important to overall health.            

Try to avoid extended periods of napping as this delays your sleep at night. While a short nap can rejuvenate your mind, longer and more frequent ones can harm your sleep.

The pillow is an integral part of sleep. One should always opt for pillows which offer comfortable rest preventing dampness in the neck and head along with the support.

Try to keep the room cool. Overheating of the room can also lead to a lack of sleep.

Do not use alcohol and nicotine as an aid for your sleep. It aggravates your head and the chances for a restful sleep.

Don’t eat a heavy meal before you sleep and avoid watching any disturbing TV shows and movies before you go to bed.

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