Scientists have designed an orthopedic mattress with very promising results. Thanks to the system that regulates body temperature, the volunteers fell asleep faster and slept better.
What’s the secret to a good night’s sleep? According to researchers at the University of Texas at Austin, the answer to that question is a high-tech mattress. Specializing in therapeutic devices that regulate temperature, the team of bioengineers integrated a heating and cooling system into a bed.
The feeling of being sleepy or fully awake is controlled in part by the circadian rhythm of body temperature. In addition, the human neck acts as an important body thermostat.
The system created by scientists aims to lower the temperature of the central parts of the body while warming the neck, feet and hands. This will increase blood circulation and allow body heat to dissipate.
In the experiment, subjects fell asleep 58% faster
Scientists have found out how much temperature affects sleep with their experiments. They found that taking a bath one to two hours before bed improved sleep quality and made it possible to fall asleep an average of 10 minutes faster. The average bath temperature is between 104-109 degrees Fahrenheit (40 and 43°C). Taking a shower before going to sleep lowers body temperature, so we fall asleep faster and more comfortably.
In a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, 11 volunteers used two types of mattresses, one regulating the temperature with water and the other with air. Researchers asked them to go to bed two hours earlier than usual to make it harder to fall asleep.
Some nights they activated the heat control system, and some nights they did not interfere with the systems. The results of the study are quite clear. Subjects fell asleep 58% faster and reported that they slept better when the feature heat systems were on.
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