It’s easily the heftiest bed setup I’ve ever sat on and puts my traditional queen to shame.
She loves that she can sit up to watch TV and then lay the bed flat to sleep.
She says she’d never go back to a normal bed.
“It’s the most important thing it’s possible for you to buy in your life.”
Liersaph’s in good company when it comes to spending money on a better bedtime.
It’s not hard to see why.
Sleep isn’t something you could ignore.
Prolongedsleep deprivationhas been linked toserious health conditionslike heart disease, hypertension and stroke.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, one in three Americans usesleep trackers.
Our whole sleep history is on our wrists, in our phones and in our heads.
“People are a lot more data-oriented these days,” Chon tells me.
Sleeping itself doesn’t cost a thing, but making sure you’re comfortable can sometimes cost a lot.
Bowers wasn’t looking to solve any specific sleep-related issues.
And while she loves her bed, she knows now she didn’t need to spend so much.
It can be overwhelming.
You could easily drain your bank account chasing potential solutions.
Sometimes, it can feel like a catch-22.
But it is possible to get better sleep at any budget level.
How much would you spend for better sleep?
The big question is: How much shouldyouspend to sleep better?
See also:I Was Always Waking Up Tired.
“It changes if I’m struggling to sleep.”
That’s how it’s supposed to work, anyway.
And that brings us back to opening our wallets.
It all starts with a mattress.
(Liersaph, Teague and Bowers all spent more money on their beds.)
And we’ve barely started.
The Sleep Number ComfortFit Pillow is amemory foam pillowthat any sleeper can use.
It costs $100.
The Luxome Luxury Sheet Set is a basic, comfy sheet set that costs $170.
That brings our grand total to a little over $1,750.
Just for the basics.
Granted, mattresses are supposed to last a while from seven to 10 years.
But that doesn’t take the sting out of that hefty upfront cost.
you could see how sleeping gets expensive quickly.
Which doesn’t mean your sleep isn’t worth investing in.
But you do need to pay close attention to the quality and durability of the materials before you buy.
“A lot of products in our lives are force multipliers,” Chon says.
(By the way, there were16.8 million mattressessold in the US in 2023.)
Many great mattresses have several layers of different materials that all cost money to make.
Nearly every product has a retail price often discounted to make itseemlike you’re always getting a good deal.
And then you’ll see significant markdowns that paint the illusion of aneven betterdeal.
I’ve seen some beds go down 50% during big holidays like Memorial Day or Presidents Day.
Discounts can vary widely throughout the year.
The mattress companies I reached out to declined to comment on their pricing policies.
The challenges for shoppers aren’t limited to the price tag alone.
There’s also how products are bundled together.
In her case, that was Mattress Firm.
“They tell you the out-the-door price.
They had already run her credit, so she went with it.
Do your research and beware the marketing hype.
“When a company say they’re going to change your life, I’m a little skeptical.”
“We never used our adjustable base at all for sleeping,” she says.
“The only time we used it was watching TV in bed.
I think I tried it for two or three nights, and it was uncomfortable.
I didn’t like it.”
After a few years, the base stopped working.
She has since spent another $700 to get a basic bed frame.
“We would never make the mistake of getting an adjustable base again,” Bowers says.
I often think about this when reviewing products.
Sleep is an incredibly personal experience.
Thankfully, many brands offer free trials and returns, especially when it comes to mattresses.
Teague works 12-hour shifts for a week straight and then has two weeks off.
She previously did this overnight, which often had a big impact on her sleep quality.
In addition to usingsleep aidslike melatonin or Zzzquil, Teague would drinktart cherry juice.
Studies have found that it can increasesleep time and sleep efficiency.
That’s because tart cherries contain tryptophan, the amino acid that helps the body produce melatonin.
Of course, a tart drink may not be for everyone.
So how do you decide what you should spend your money on?
The best place to start is with your needs and habits.
Where do you need more comfort?”
But you probably wouldn’t usemouth tapeif you aren’t trying to reducesnoring.
You don’t have to spend any money unlessyoudecide to.
Many sleep products are developed specifically to relieve sleep troubles.
Sometimes, it’s niche, like fighting off hot flashes.
Other times, it’s more general solutions aimed at helping you fall asleep faster.
Intentionally protecting yourcircadian rhythmis a cost-free way to sleep better.
