Every night, millions of people struggle with wandering thoughts, chronic pain, or general discomfort that prevents many of us from getting a good night’s sleep. There are five different levels of sleep: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and rapid eye movement (REM) is fifth. Studies show that a person will pass through these stages in about 90 to 120 minutes, and that REM sleep is necessary to feeling refreshed and recharged every day — many psychologists compare REM sleep to sorting memories accumulated throughout the day into files for future reference. Those who feel depleted and tired even after a full eight hours of rest are likely not getting the restful sleep their bodies need.

What Prevents Restful Sleep?

Sleep studies have found that while a person is sleeping, they unconsciously change positions in order to avoid the pain and tension caused from sleeping in their beds. The National Sleep Foundation found that the leading medical issues that prevent sleep are back/neck pain, headaches, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) — TMJ is pain and lack of movement in the jawbone region. Some suggest that those who read or watch television in bed may have more trouble getting to sleep; those who lie in bed for around 15 to 20 minutes at a time may actually find it even more difficult to fall asleep.

The Benefits of Adjustable Bed Systems

Many people are finding the relief that they need with adjustable electric beds. These electric beds can be adjusted to create an incline at the head or foot of the bed, which can prevent many from pain caused by curling up or bending their legs. For those who enjoy reading or watching television before bed, the adjustable bed mattresses can support the top half of a person’s body like a couch; this may lead to a more natural transfer into sleep than a traditional mattress. Finally, the National Sleep Foundation believes that adjustable mattresses can help take pressure off of certain areas of the body that can make sleeping uncomfortable.