Blog | Buis Mattress

How Too Much Screen Time Impacts a Good Night’s Sleep

January 22, 2019 by buismattress Leave a Comment

Getting a good night’s sleep is important for feeling energized, alert, and content every day. Spending too much time looking at cell phones, laptops, tablets, and other screen-based gadgets can significantly impact sleep quality, especially if done too close to bedtime. Here’s a look at the science behind too much screen time and its effects on sleep and serenity.

Screens Suppress Melatonin

A girl looking at a tablet in the dark

The screens on all of our most commonly used gadgets emit what’s called “blue light,” which has a very short wavelength and produces a high amount of energy. Blue light is responsible for the suppression of melatonin, the hormone that controls the body’s circadian rhythm, also known as the sleep/wake cycle. When melatonin production is reduced and the sleep/wake cycle is disrupted, even the world’s most comfortable mattress won’t make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Stimulated Brains Stay Active Longer

It may be part of your routine to check into social media, read the news, or watch a few funny videos right before bed, but all that late-night screen time diminishes your sense of serenity right when you need it most. That’s because bright screens keep the brain engaged, making it harder to mentally relax and unwind when you’re finally ready to drift off to sleep. Having at least 30 screen-free minutes before bed can impact how quickly and comfortably you fall asleep.

Technology Doesn’t Sleep

Even if you avoid too much direct screen viewing at bedtime, simply having gadgets too close to the bed can impact how well you sleep. There’s always the chance that a text, call, or email will arrive, and even if the interruption doesn’t wake you, it can still disturb the serenity of a resting brain. So unless you’re waiting for a very important phone call or message, it’s better for your sleep quality to sleep with the gadgets turned off.

At Buis Mattress, we believe that a great mattress is one of the home’s most important features. Check out all our unique, high-quality products in our Holland, MI showroom. For questions about our products and services, contact us online or call (616) 396-6257.

Choosing the Best Mattress for Your Child

June 7, 2018 by Buis Mattress Leave a Comment

The best children’s mattresses promote safe, comfortable sleep, which is a vital component of well-being for those of all ages. This is what parents should consider when choosing a mattress that will ensure their child has many restful nights.

Longevity

Ideally, parents want to choose a mattress that will last until their child is ready for an adult bed. High-quality construction and materials provide a bed that remains comfortable and supportive as the child grows. Latex foam is a good choice for a child mattress since it adapts to the sleeper’s weight and shape. This means it will work as well for a toddler as for a lanky adolescent. Also, more traditional mattresses, like the ones we manufacture here at Buis, can be flipped and rotated, prolonging the life of the innerspring system.

Size

A single, twin-sized bed makes sense for parents seeking a less expensive option or those with a smaller home. However, when a tiny child turns into a tall teen, they may no longer fit on the mattress properly. In this case, a twin XL, which is slightly longer, is a good alternative. A full-size mattress allows plenty of room for comfortable growth when families have the budget and space.

Firmness

For most children, a medium-firm mattress will promote a restful night’s sleep while comfortably supporting the child’s weight. A supportive, firm mattress will allow for healthy spinal alignment. Involve children in the mattress-buying process and ask them what type of bed feels best. For some added cushioning to a firm mattress, consider adding a supportive and body contouring mattress topper.

Material

Many parents choose an innerspring mattress because of their durability and affordable price. Latex is another durable option that can stand up to substantial wear and tear. The Talalay latex material available from Buis Mattress provides a cooler sleeping surface that is designed to be anti-bacterial, providing a healthy night’s sleep for years to come.

When shopping for child mattresses, stop by the Buis Mattress showroom in Holland to explore our extensive selection of high-quality mattresses manufactured on the premises. We create custom child mattresses that are specifically designed for growing bodies.

For a Cool Mattress, Consider Latex

June 7, 2018 by Buis Mattress Leave a Comment

Customers who want a mattress with cooling properties are increasingly turning to latex models. These mattresses offer comfort and support along with air circulation that lowers body temperature for a relaxing night’s sleep. The many benefits of latex make these beds a restful choice for most individuals, especially those who tend to get hot at night.

The Cooling Properties of Latex

Latex, a foam made from the sap of a rubber tree, has an open cell structure that allows air to flow freely through the material. These mattresses are also constructed with very small holes that increase airflow even further. When a person moves around while sleeping, the air within the mattress is pushed out and new air flows through. This natural ventilation provides a cool sleeping surface, regardless of the outdoor temperature. In contrast, mattresses that have a closed-cell structure, such as memory foam, have limited ventilation and thus create a sleeping environment that many find too warm.

Additional Benefits of Latex

In addition to its cooling properties, latex is naturally anti-microbial. This means it resists the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria, and fungus, as well as dust mites, improving indoor air quality and limiting respiratory symptoms. It’s also an environmentally sustainable material that is completely biodegradable.

Latex mattresses are a good choice for anyone who prefers a firm yet flexible sleeping surface or desires support for back pain and avoidance of pressure points. The structure of this mattress supports the spine to promote good posture by eliminating negative space. Those who tend to wake up when their partners move during the night will also benefit from the minimal motion transfer of this type of mattress.

Mattresses made completely of latex are durable enough to last up to 25 years, while latex blends are more affordable but may have a shorter lifespan.

Latex mattresses from Buis Mattress in Holland are built in-house using the Talalay method, an organic process that protects consumers’ homes from harmful VOCs. Other types of mattresses are made using harsh chemicals that can enter the indoor air.

Stop by our showroom today to test out these products, which feature a blended or 100 percent latex core with no synthetic filler. We also make high-quality mattress toppers, custom mattress sizes, youth beds, and other products designed to give our customers the best possible night’s sleep.

Buis Mattress Manufacturing Process: What Materials Do We Use?

June 7, 2018 by Buis Mattress Leave a Comment

At Buis Mattress, we manufacture all our mattresses in-house using quality linings and materials. Learn about our choices in materials and designs for a mattress that provides greater sleep comfort.

High-Quality Outer Materials

Soft, breathable cotton is used for the outer mattress materials to promote a healthy sleep environment and restful nights. Two types of cotton are used in our manufacturing process. Wolf cotton, which blends cotton with polyester, creates the durable lower layer, while Jones cotton, which is 100 percent cotton, is built into our tufted mattresses for supreme comfort.

For a layer of extra cushioning, pure wool from Frankenmuth Woolen Mills is used. In addition to delivering a higher level of comfort, wool supplies a dry, cool surface for the mattress. For durability and antimicrobial properties, natural Talalay latex is used, sourced from Sri Lankan sustainable rubber tree forests. Latex is breathable, providing a cooler sleep surface. Talalay delivers a muscle-relaxing buoyant quality that relieves tension, lifting away the pressures of the day for restful, healthy sleep.

The Best Inner Materials

Inside each mattress, a power stack foundation made from a heavy-duty wood frame and four-prong modular is used for the base. Because our standards are high, we’ve chosen this quality design over the typical two-prong modular that’s popular with most national companies. American-built Inneract springs, made by Spiller Springs in Wisconsin, provide outstanding support. These springs use open end five-turn offset wire in size fourteen gauge. Three types of innersprings made by Holland Maid offer a spectrum of firmness levels to suit different preferences. Eight coil designs are built into each mattress to provide a range of ergonomic support. We believe this type of design offers far superior support than foam or air can provide.

Locally sourced from Grand Rapids, our polyurethane foam supplies the ideal combination of softness and resistance for maximum comfort. These foam densities are available to suit individual preferences: 1.9, 2.8, 3.2, and 4 pounds. By using quality mattress materials and providing options, we meet a wide range of customers’ needs.

Why No Pillow Tops

We purposely do not include built-in pillow tops in our mattresses. That’s because they have a distinct flaw: their soft cushioning foam breaks down much faster than innerspring. When multiple layers of foam break down, the mattress loses its support and needs to be replaced. Our solution is to build sturdy latex mattresses for a breathable, lasting option that creates a cool, comfortable sleeping experience.

Our testimonials speak to the quality of our products. Visit Buis Mattress, headquartered in Holland, MI, and check out our bench-made mattresses. Give us a call at 616-396-6257 for hours and directions to our in-house showroom.

How to Prepare for a Better Night’s Sleep

June 7, 2018 by Buis Mattress Leave a Comment

A few hours before bedtime is the ideal time to start preparing for a good night’s sleep. Read on to learn more about the body, its sleep-wake cycles, and how to guide the body toward falling asleep fast and producing a good night’s rest.

Set a Schedule and Follow It

Determining and honoring the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle—or circadian rhythm—is very important in preparing for a good night’s sleep. Some individuals are programmed to remain awake later, others to wake up early. If at all possible, try to follow one’s “body clock”—and stick to it. Even sleeping in on weekends can disrupt alignment with that clock, so try to adhere to the same sleeping schedule no matter what day of the week it is.

Nighttime Dining

Since the body’s system is not designed to digest food during sleeping hours, avoid heavy, protein-laden meals before going to bed. If eating late, go for foods like turkey, bananas, honey, and warm milk to increase the flow of melatonin, a hormone that encourages sleep at night. As for alcohol, enjoy the nightcaps at least over three hours before bedtime. If alcohol is consumed too close to bedtime, it can lead to disruptive sleep, snoring, and feelings of insomnia.

Power Down the Gadgets and TV

According to the National Sleep Foundation, the light-emitting screens of technological devices inhibit the urge to fall asleep. As a result, turn off all laptops, smartphones, and the TV at least an hour before bedtime or better yet, eliminate them from the bedroom altogether.

The Nocturnal Scene

The ideal atmosphere for sleeping is a room that is dark, quiet, and cool. Try to eliminate as much light as possible. If noises from traffic or other sources are inevitable, try obscuring it with the sound of a fan, white noise, or the use of earplugs.

Bedtime Ritual

Since the goal is to go to bed with a relaxed, carefree mind, do not allow worries or racing thoughts to impede a good night’s sleep. Instead, jot them down on a piece of paper for consideration the next day. Some writing or light reading is typical for a bedtime ritual but preferably in a comfy chair or sofa rather than in bed.

A Stretch or Bath

Light stretching that loosens and relaxes tight muscles before bed is a good idea, especially when much of the day is spent facing a computer screen. A short stretching routine can help relieve muscle tension and prepare the body for a more peaceful, rejuvenating sleep. Of course, a warm, relaxing bath before bedtime is almost always a sure way to fall asleep fast and benefit from a thorough night’s rest.

To ensure our customers of sound, restful sleep night after night, Buis Mattress design experts build mattresses one at a time. We are the preferred choice for many customers throughout the Holland, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven areas. For more details on our mattresses, custom products, brand-name bedroom furniture, and more, please call us at 616-396-6257 or fill out our contact form.