Now, being determined to rest, Goldilocks went upstairs into the bedchamber in which the Three Bears slept. And first she lay down upon the bed of the Great Big Bear, but that was too high at the head for her. And next she lay down upon the bed of the Middle-sized Bear, and that was too high at the foot for her. And then she lay down upon the bed of the Little Wee Bear, and that was neither too high at the head nor at the foot, but just right. So, she covered herself up comfortably, and lay there till she fell fast asleep. – from the English Folktale, Goldilocks and the Three Bears. 

Have you ever wondered why God made our bodies to require regular sleep? He could have designed us for perpetual wakefulness. Do I hear any other “amens” to thanking our Creator for giving us the gift of rest?

Rest and sleep are wonderful things – and sometimes there’s nothing I want more. Our bodies crave it along with other life necessities such as air, water and food. And without adequate sleep, our bodies would not function as they should.

The world record for sleeplessness is 11 days and 25 minutes or 264.4 hours. I’m not sure what condition the young man was in when he finally drifted off…but hallucinations can occur after losing a night or two of sleep – and don’t forget that forced sleep deprivation is considered a form of torture.

Humans spend about one-third of their lives sleeping. Quality sleep – and getting enough of it at the right times – is essential for good health. Sleep has an impact on most every cell, tissue, organ and system in the body. Not only major organs such as the brain, heart and lungs are affected, but also immune function, metabolism and…now do not be shocked by this…your mood. 

It is known that everyone needs sleep, but even with increased research, facts concerning the biological purpose of some aspects of sleep remain a mystery. Scientific studies have reported that failing to get the needed amount of sleep on a regular basis contributes to increased risk for high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, dementia and obesity. 

During sleep, one of the most active parts of the human body is the brain. Without sleep, you cannot form or maintain the pathways in the brain that allow you to learn new information, maintain knowledge or create memories. Lack of sleep, especially over a period of time, slows your response time and hampers your ability to concentrate. During sleep, your body repairs and rejuvenates. Scientists have recently discovered that sleep has a “housekeeping” role in which toxins that build up while you are awake are “swept out” during sleep.

While we have more to learn about the purpose and effects of sleep, I think we are all in agreement that not enough sleep takes a toll on any of us. Caregivers – and often their recipients – are notorious for suffering from a lack of sleep. Obviously, if your loved one does not sleep well at night or needs frequent assistance, then you are probably missing out on needed sleep as well.

Some age-related neurological disorders are associated with sleep disturbances. These include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The association between these disorders and interruptions during sleep is not completely understood. Are the disorders caused by lack of sleep, or do the disorders cause sleep disturbances? 

Whatever the cause of sleep deprivation, it is a good idea to look for the cause (which may be as obvious as a recipient who wakes frequently during the night, calling for assistant) and address it.

Since this is a vast subject, today, along with Goldilocks, let’s look at one potential obstacle for peaceful rest – a bed that is not just right.

As I was writing this, I thought about all the beds I have slept in throughout my life – from top bunk in high school to plush hotel beds in Paris to a thin plywood board covered with an even- thinner blanket in India. When we were first married, Randy and I started out with a full size, graduating to queen after the third child was born and finally moving up to king a few years after I figured out how to fit one in our bedroom without building on to our house. I have to admit, I love the spaciousness of the king bed. It is nice to be able to sprawl without starting a brawl. The worst ever bed was the one I attempted to sleep on when I was a patient at Duke hospital in 2018. I described it then – and still remember it as: a black garbage bag filled with wet straw, rhythmically expanding and collapsing. I think they called it a pressure-relief mattress but the only thing it relieved me of was sleep. (After two nights of misery, I appealed to my nurse who discovered I was wrongly assigned the pressure-relief and a plain old hospital one – not generally known for its sumptuousness – thankfully came to the rescue.

It is surprising how little thought some people give to their bed – and I am using that word interchangeably with “mattress” as it is really the mattress that determines the comfort level. If you currently do not sleep well, wake frequently during the night, or do not feel rested in the morning, it may just be time to put a little thought into how well you and your bed are matched. The same is true for your recipient. 

Mattresses do not last forever, and it may be time to shop for a new one, trying out different types as there are so many now. Most businesses that sell mattresses offer a trial period, so one that does not improve quality of sleep can be returned. (If you are like me, you wonder what they do with them.)

Also consider the size of your mattress. If someone has always slept in a larger bed and then downsized to a single-sized hospital type, there may not be enough room to change positions and find one that is comfortable.

Another important consideration is the height of the mattress. Last night I saw an advertisement for a $220 step stool to use to climb up into bed. Okay. Some people may like the royal feeling a majestic bed gives them, but safety should be a priority. I suggest a bed height low enough so you can sit on the side and touch your feet flat on the floor. Anything higher can present problems getting in and getting out of bed. Of course, you do not want it to be too low either.

On our last beach vacation, we stayed at a lovely place, but our bed was so high that I had to run and jump to get in it. (Well, that’s a small exaggeration, but I did have to climb up in it.) To get out, I had to slide down the side until my feet hit the floor – where there was a throw rug – and more than once I could have easily taken a tumble and slid onto the floor had I not been very careful. Avoid this situation at all costs.

You or your recipient may be more comfortable in a bed with special functions, such as head/foot adjustments, raise/lower mechanisms or even a massage action.

If your quantity or quality of sleep has been lacking, it is worth considering the difference a new mattress would make. We spend one-third of our lives in bed. It would be a blessing to have one that is just right.

Caring Quote:

When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24