Mattress Vancouver

Attention Foreign Students Studying in Vancouver.

Before you move into a furnished home there are three things you should consider about the mattress you will be sleeping on for the next three to twelve months:

1. Its Condition – What is the age of the mattress? Are the springs in good condition? Does the mattress have a disturbing odour? When you remove the sheets, are there stains covering the surface?

2. Mattress Size – When you lie down on the bed, are your feet sticking out over the end? Is there enough room to stretch out? Is the bed an appropriate size for the room it’s in?

3. Bed Bugs – Is the mattress currently in a building that is on record with the Vancouver Bed Bug Registry? Did the mattress come from another location that may have had a bed bug issue? Is their evidence of bed bugs along the seams of the mattress?

If any of these questions cause you concern, discuss them with your landlord, home-stay parent or placement supervisor. If you need to buy a new bed, a Simmons Mattress Gallery professional can help recommend the perfect mattress for your Canadian lodging.

Your time abroad should be spent in comfortable setting. Consider a new mattress.

Vancouver Language School

The recent discovery of bed bugs in a Vancouver library book has embarrassed the city’s lending service and reopened the inquiry into how prolific the bed bug problem is in our city.

The bugs were found in a book borrowed from the Mount Pleasant Library.

Since the incident, the library has done a thorough search of their stacks. Their work has turned up no evidence of further infestation. It may have only been the one book, stored near an infected mattress or couch that acted as a temporary home for the critters – unlucky for the library.

The fact that the bugs were found in an item other than furniture or clothing illustrates how prolific the problem is in our city. Bed bugs are everywhere, but those infected are keeping their mouths zipped.

Unlike a public library, homeowners can silently try to deal with bed bug issues without the prying eye of the public. Victims call a pest control service, they move to a hotel for a few days or go on a ‘vacation’, they buy all new mattresses and when they get back, the Taylors will ‘still’ be sending little Jenny over for play dates. A convenient solution with little-to-no public humiliation.

Until there is a strategy to wipeout the bugs for good, private pest control will be the public’s best option.

Bug Problems

Since 1998, St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver has been creating a public light display to raise funds for various projects and causes connected with the hospital.

This year, the ‘Lights of Hope’ display intends to raise $1.9 million in corporate and private donations. The St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation has already raised a total of $16 million since the conception of the light show.

The set-up for the lights began on November 5th, when a 100 volunteers helped erect the carefully planned display. It is estimated that the lights would span 10 kms, if attached as a single line. That would be quite the sight.

If you would like to donate, visit the charity’s website: http://www.helpstpauls.com The site suggest many creative ways to give, from security stock, to a mention in the will, to a monthly donation. Whatever you can afford to give, they’ll use.

The projects that the hospital wishes to fund are: the purchase of a new CT scanner, two 3D-capable echocardiography machines, bronchoscopy equipment, for the detection of lung disease and the completion of the Diagnostic Treatment Unit.

The official opening of this year’s Lights of Hope display will be on Thursday, November 24th.

Light Up the Stars Tonight

Warning: A deadly virus is finding its way into homes across Vancouver. Families are being warned to educate their loved ones before the viral outbreak reaches epidemic levels.

The symptoms are tired springs, midnight sag and motion distrubance. These three manifestations have caused many citizens to lose a full night’s rest. Sufferers may appear bag-eyed, lethargic and irritable. Any person displaying these signs should not be approached.

The outbreak is thought to be contagious, with many homes having two or more affected beds.

Luckily, Simmons Mattress Gallery has found a cure.

The Beautyrest mattress line can rejuvenate the energy depleted by the infected beds. With the purchase of a Beautyrest mattress, sufferers can return to their regular sleeping schedules overnight.  Patented non-flip pocket coils will support the weight of the inflicted patient, offering a comfortable layer of cushion. The coils’ individual nature limits motion transfer between sleeping partners. Beautyrest’s quality design will prevent sagging over time, keeping the virus at pay.

Prescriptions can be filled at the Simmons Mattress Gallery on Broadway in Vancouver and on Schoolhouse Road in Coquitlam.

The Virus Is Not Yet Airborne. No Need For Radiation Suits.

Old beds should be discarded immediatley. Simmons Mattress Gallery suggests using one of Vancouver’s four mattress-recycling companies. 

Let’s take a look back at the beds that defined you:

The Wooden Prison – Your crib provided you with a confined space to for those short periods of sleep between epic crying bouts. The upside: you never had to get up to go to the washroom in the middle of the night. The downside: lack of freedom.

The Layer Cake – All of your friends were envious of your bunk bed, but sharing a bedroom with your older brother quickly lost its novelty. You dreamed of the top bunk, but sadly were forced to settle for the lower class bottom bunk for eight long years.

Puberty Plank – Pimples, emerging hair and voice crackles were manageable, but your Grade Ten growth spurt put your feet off the end of your twin mattress; it left you with 3/4’s of a comfortable night’s rest.

College Daze – If your dorm room mattresses could speak, we’re sure it would utter something along the lines of Kurtz’s final words; “The horror….the horror.”

Young Professional - Independent enough to buy your first bed – too poor to shop anywhere but IKEA.

Marriage Bed – She insisted on going to a proper mattress store. Together, you picked out a Beautyrest. Everything up to that point was…history.

Bunk Beds: Family Caste System

Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside is an area of the city that many of us choose to avoid. The poverty level scares us, the open drug market makes us nervous and the prostitution reminds us of the dangerous hold of addiction. So we divert our travel routes, choose alternative venues and leave the issues for the community to deal with on their own. It’s a coping mechanism that most of us subscribe to.

One thing we can’t forget, even if we choose to turn our backs, is that the DES is full of people. People who have a past, present and future. People who value the community they live in. People who are artistic, creative and passionate.

As a part of Vancouver’s 125th Anniversary Celebration, the DES community will be celebrating the ‘Heart of the City Festival.’ The festival will showcase the talents of many of the area’s current citizens, as well as document some of the rich stories from the neighbourhood’s past.

Events are running all week. For more details check the festival website:

http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com/

Do the people who abandon mattresses on the streets think they are helping the homeless? Do they believe there is a magic mattress collector that trolls the alleys at night looking for soggy discarded beds? One would wonder…

With the recent ban on mattresses at city transfer stations, beds are being illegally abandoned all over the city.

Last year 1,500 mattresses were discarded illegally on city streets. This year, with the $20 surcharge in effect, frugal, lazy citizens have dumped over 5,000 mattresses.

The city has used taxpayer money to send out special vehicles to collect the unwanted beds. It has been a massive resource drain on the collection department’s budget. All this because people did not want to properly deal with their waste.

It’s a shame.

The good news is that more beds then ever are being properly recycled. Thanks to the new ban, over 47,000 mattresses were given to Lower Mainland recycling agencies in the first half of this year.

If you are looking to properly dispose of your old mattress and do not want to pay the $20 fee, consider one of the three mattress recycling companies operating in and around Vancouver.

Here is a list of the companies and their minimum charge:

Canadian Mattress Recycling - If dropped off, CMR will charge $12 per item. This is the cheapest option. They also have pick-up options starting at $72.00.

Mattressrecycling.ca - This company charges $12.50 per dropped off item. With a professional website and David Suzuki’s endorsement, this company appears to be the most respectable operation in the Vancouver area. We have also featured this company in an earlier post on mattress recycling.

Recyc-Mattress - This is the most expensive option. Recyc-Mattress charges $15 per item.

A mattress dumped in a landfill takes decades to decompose. Do your part and recycle your bed properly.

Mattress Abandonment

In the spirit of the Writers and Readers Festival, here is a short ode on a subject dear to the heart of Simmons Mattress Gallery:

Ode to a mattress

Where would we be, without our coiled invention,

Damp on a straw mat, constricted with tension?

Some might give credit, to the mighty steam engine,

But the steam locomotive, is a hot-aired distraction.

Some might say soap, brought us new sanitation,

But it also helped Tyler, fund the club we won’t mention.

Some might praise books, and the print of a German,

But one needs a bed, to relax and read fiction.

No, praise the mattress, don’t fall for deception,

You deserve the best, a Simmons sensation.

Our rhyme scheme might stray, but our love for the mattress is unwavering. Come visit one of our two locations in the Lower Mainland to sample the large selection of Simmons mattresses on hand.

How often do you wake up minutes before your alarm goes off?

With the right sleep conditions, our bodies naturally wake up at a similar hour each day. If you are sleeping on a Simmons Beautyrest, this event is probably a common occurrence.

Until recently, scientists had trouble determining the cause of this natural phenomenon. The scientific community was roughly aware of the mechanism that prepared us for sleep, but little was known about the way we wake-up.

Now researchers at the Salt Lake Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla California have located the gene that triggers our body to wake-up at a given time.

Researcher, Satchidananda Panda, claims, “the body is essentially a collection of clocks.” These clocks subconsciously trigger our brain and other organs to carry out involuntary actions. Our body’s natural drop in temperature before we fall asleep is one example.

With the ‘wake-up’ gene located, sleep scientists can now expand their study of sleep disorders. There is also hope that the discovery can aid research into chronic illness and aging.

Shah Rukh Khan is one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. Appearing in over 70 Hindi films, Khan is considered by many to be the King of Bollywood.

With his new science fiction film, “Ra.One,” premiering on October 26th, the world media is obsessed with everything Kahn.

This week, an article in “Harper’s Bazaar” published some interesting facts about Kahn’s sleeping rituals.

Kahn was asked by Mala Sekhri to describe his bed attire. The middle-aged star, often referred to by his acronym SRK, revealed that he prefers to ‘dress up for bed.’

“I like to wear clean, really nice pair of clothes, so like my Dolce and Gabbana shorts, I will sometime . . . wear my Lululemon track pants and I’ll wear a nice, crisp white T-shirt.”

Kahn also went on to comment that he enjoys putting cologne on before crawling beneath the covers.

Cologne? Dress shirts? DG boxers? The ‘King’ knows how to push the boundaries of extravagant living. And a little shout-out to a local company.

We only hope his mattress is on par with his sweet-smelling wardrobe.

SRK

Amateur and pro cycling enthusiasts around the Lower Mainland have been training, tuning and timing for months in preparation for this weekend’s Gran Fondo ride from Vancouver to Whistler. The ride is 120 km, along one of the most beautiful highways on the planet. Take part or encourage a friend or family member as they climb towards Whistler Village.

This is the second year of the mass cycling event in Canada, a phenomenon that was born in Europe and given the Italian name of Gran Fondo – roughly translated as ‘Big Ride.’ The event is not a race, but awards are given to the top finishers. It features riders from a variety of skill levels and backgrounds. This year’s amateur category is sold out, but the pro category still has room for last minute entries.

The race will start at Thurlow and West Georgia at 7:00 am, with amateur riders staggered back to Seymour Street. The race will finish in Whistler Village, with the finish line closing at 4:00 pm. There will also be a celebration event afterwards, featuring the music of 54-40.

What could be more comfortable than a layer of 80 individual pocket coils? A double stack of coil on coil springs to ease your body onto. Add a 360° memory foam encasement and top it with a hi-loft pillow top and you have the finest Beautyrest mattress available in our showroom.

The Beautyrest Exceptionale series is the jewel in the Beautyrest line. It is designed to offer the most comfortable sleep imaginable. No other mattress comes close to the pampering offered by an Exceptionale mattress.

The stack begins with two layers of four-inch coils; that’s a full eight inches of support. The foam layer adds another three inches of cushioning. And the pillow top is half an inch. The total sum: eleven and a half inches of mattress heaven.

Add a Triton foundation, and your bed is suddenly a tower of clouds so soft and supportive, an angel would be envious.

If you feel you deserve the best mattress possible, select the Beautyrest Exceptionale mattress. It is comfort taken to the highest level.

Beautyrest Exceptionale - You Deserve It!

Before you come into shop for a new mattress at Simmons Mattress Gallery, it’s a good idea to compile a few notes on the specifics of what you will be looking for in your new bed. This will help the Simmons professionals suggest the perfect mattress for your needs.

Here is a list of questions you should consider:

1. What sort of sleeping position do you prefer? Do you sleep on your back, your side or on your stomach? Some mattresses are specifically designed for certain sleeping positions, so knowing which one you prefer helps with selection.

2. Do you have chronic back pain? Memory foam is an excellent addition for those suffering neck or back pain.

3. Do you and or your partner move around in your sleep? All of the Beautyrest models are made with non-flip pocket coils that help reduce motion transfer, but some are more sensitive than others.

4. What firmness do you prefer? Think about the most comfortable sleep you’ve had. Was the mattress extra firm or was it the softness that made it so cozy?

5. How much room do you have in your bedroom for your new mattress? You don’t want to buy a king size mattress if it will not fit in your room. Use a tape measure and record the dimensions you will need.

6. How much are you willing to spend? Figure out a budget beforehand. Knowing this number will help the mattress professional suggest mattresses within your price range.

Bring all these facts in with you when you visit one of our two locations. Make sure to sleep test at least five different mattresses in our showroom. Again, this will help you decide on what qualities you prefer.

Wake Up on Your New Simmons Mattress

At home, the only people who have to deal with your nocturnal noises are your family and or your roommates. But what happens when you travel? Do the rest of the guests have to suffer through your snoring bouts, as the nasal noise reverberates around your room and out into the hall?

The Crowne Plaza hotel chain has created a room to minimize the effects of your snoring, so both you and your partner can enjoy a sound sleep. Anti-snoring pillows and white noise encourages your body to sleep quietly. With sound proofing on both the walls and headboards, noise that is made, is contained so that other patrons are unaffected.

Other popular hotel chains are implementing measures to identify and deter noisy sleepers. More than ten hotel chains in Europe and the Middle East are hiring night watchmen to act as snore patrollers. These men and women walk the halls and check for noise disruptions. When they find a culprit, they bang lightly on the door to wake the snorer, pulling him or her out of their slumber and temporarily relieving the noise.

The watchmen keep track of which patrons are being unintentionally disruptive. Like a medical annotation, your sleeping history follows you. After three disturbances, hotel staff can suggest an area of the hotel where noise is permitted.

Back home, on your Vancouver mattress, you can be as loud as you like; or as loud as your partner permits.

Why is it important to get a full night’s rest each and every night?

Here are five firm reasons to secure at least seven hours a night.

1. Falling asleep at work could cost you your job. If your boss happens to catch you taking a power nap, you better have your desk cleaned out by the end of the day. Drool is also terrible for keyboards.
2. Falling asleep at the wheel could cost you your life. 17% of fatal car accidents involve a sleepy driver. Turning up the radio or opening the window won’t help. If you are consistently experiencing drowsy conditions on your daily commute, it’s time to put aside more hours for sleep.
3. Your health. Simmons Mattress Gallery has written numerous articles on the negative health effects of limited rest. From diabetes, to heart failure, to lower life expectancy, there is a long list of sleep related health problems that occur with individuals who neglect their downtime.
4. Your mood sours dramatically when you haven’t gotten enough shut-eye. People who are sleep deprived often are quick to lose their temper and are less able to deal with pressure situations. Their mood often sours their relationships at work and at home.
5. Our brains need a break. Even if your other organs could handle continuous nights of less than three hours of sleep, our brains would eventually slow down to a crawl. Each night when we doze off, our brain reverts to an energy-saving mode. Different areas are called upon to fuel our subconscious, but the area we count on for our most intense processing is given a break. Run anything for 21 hours a day and it will eventually self-destruct.

"Wake up!!!!"

The Beautyrest model mattress has been providing comfort to Simmons’ customers for over 86 years with its patented pocket coil support system.

This year, Simmons is introducing Smart Response Technology to their traditional pocket coil mattress. This revolution in design took the existing Beautyrest model that customers have appreciated for years and improved on it.

The Smart Response functions like two springs balanced on top of each other. The top half of the single spring is tapered to conform to the sleeper’s shape. The lower half of the spring is more rotund, offering support and the traditional motion separation that Simmons’ customers have come to appreciate. The new shape provides consumers with an undisturbed rest and a durable bed that will last for years.

These new springs can be found in Simmons’ new line of the Beautyrest NxG mattresses and our Beautyrest Elite collection.

Come in and try one this week. Your upgrade to Smart Response technology will affect your night’s sleep immediately.

Simmons Beautyrest – Improving with age!

Horizontal History

What is the most stressful job you can think of?

Maybe a stockbroker? Dealing with millions of dollars in stock each day would have to be ulcer inducing. You’re up, you’re down, you’re gambling with other people’s money. A whole company’s fortune could be lost in a day if you mess up.

What about a journalist? You would constantly be required to come up with new stories even when there was no ‘news’. Always under the gun…lawsuits pending…no job security…

How about the personal assistant to Naiomi Campbell? No explanation needed.

Well, the most stressful job, according to most surveys done around the world is air traffic controller. With dozens of planes circling some major airports, traffic controllers are responsible for literally thousands of lives at any given second. They can earn between $57,000 and $123,000 per year. The stress can lead to shorter careers than a NFL defensive lineman.

Shockingly, there have been a number of recent cases of these highly stressed individuals falling asleep on the job. Maybe they can’t fall asleep at night, due to their fear of accidently bringing down a jumbo jet. Whatever the case, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued new rules to prevent any further cases. Along with other measures, traffic controllers are now guaranteed one extra hour between shifts.

For the safety of millions of airline passengers around the world, we really believe these highly stressed workers should be finding their rest on the best mattresses possible; Simmons mattresses. Sleeping on a Simmons allows you to wake in the morning after enjoying a full night of undisturbed sleep.

If you’re finding you are losing sleep to stress, try a Simmons. We guarantee results.

Stay Awake!

Mattresses can’t change the world – They make it easier to sleep at night.

Mattresses offer us layers of cushiony comfort. They provide a surface to share with our loved one (so we can spend our nocturnal hours closer than our waking ones). They are the setting for breakfast in bed, afternoon naps, late night movies and page-turning novel sessions. They are the stage on which, most of us, were conceived. They are the most used piece of furniture in our homes; thanklessly chosen every night to hold our weight. And they do it without protest.

There is nothing revolutionary about a mattress.

Mattresses are not filled with blood, they cannot scream when they are oppressed and they will never fill entire city squares in solidarity. They will never topple a government. They will never die for simple basic rights. They will never change the world. The only ones who have that power are the men and women who seek them out for rest.

Egypt Shows The World The Power of the People

Mattresses offer us a comfortable place to spend our nights.

There is nothing revolutionary about a mattress.

The new trend in mattress shopping is the inclusion of memory foam. More and more consumers are requesting memory foam tops on their mattress purchases. The foam layer adds a pillowy softness that conforms and retracts to the users body shape.

At Simmons Mattress Gallery, we offer Visco memory foam on all our top lines; including Beautyrest World Class, Beautyrest Exceptionale, the NxG series and the jewel in our crown, the Beautyrest Black collection.

Our memory foams respond quickly to body movement, dissipate heat and a consistent sleeping surface. With the 360° foam encased edge, support is provided right to the edge of the mattress.

For those with back pain, the extra foam layer cradles the problem areas to allow a comfort filled sleep.

The only problem with purchasing a memory foam mattress is once you’ve spent even one night on one, it will be hard to go back to anything else. But if you feel you are ready for the ultimate in comfort, stop by a Simmons Mattress Gallery to test sleep one of their prized mattresses. Your body and your partner will thank you.

Embrace the foam and start sleeping better.

Visco Memory Foam

Simmons Mattress Gallery has written more than one blog about the need to separate your working hours from your personal life. When there is no division between work and home, your working mind never gets a chance to rest. This affects your sleeping patterns, has the potential to damage family relations and needlessly increases your daily blood pressure.

We're sure his drool will do wonders for his keyboard.

You need a break. You need that separation.

Apparently, this message is lost on many of the political representatives from the country directly below us.

In a new study by the broadcast station CBS, a fifth of the newly elected members to the House of Representatives are spending their nights sleeping in their Washington D.C. offices. 19 of the 87 new Republicans and 2 of the 9 new Democrats have admitted to living in their place of work. Many of the representatives are from out of state and don’t see the need of spending an extra $20,000 renting an apartment in America’s capital. Instead, the politicians are choosing to spend their nights on cots, couches, air mattresses and rollaway beds.

Many of the polled representatives believe that by sleeping in their offices, they are showing their constituents that even though they are working in Washington, their home is in their elected State.

Seriously. Bite the bullet and rent a bachelor suite. These men and women are doing a disservice to the folk who elected them. By sacrificing a comfortable sleep on a proper bed set for a pullout couch, the Representatives are compromising their mental capabilities. Their symbolic stand comes at a cost far more valuable then the price of rent.

Don’t follow their lead. The office is for work hours only. If you work out of the home, make sure to make a physical separation between your work and sleeping space. Your body and your professional decision-making will be better off.

In the City’s continuing effort to reduce landfill waste, a new surcharge will be laid on any mattress being discarded at the Delta landfill. The charge is $20 per bed.

Mattresses will no longer be considered general garbage at all Vancouver Transfer Stations and landfill sites. There will now be a limit on the number of mattresses that one customer can drop at a time. The mattresses will also be left in a separate area from the regular waste. These limitations were put in effect on January 1st.

Simmons Mattress Gallery would like to applaud the city for implementing these measures.  Mattresses are almost 100 percent recyclable or compostable and make up a significant portion of the waste dumped in our local landfills.

If you have just purchased a brand new Simmons and are looking for an ethical way to dispose of your old mattress, contact Mattressrecycling.ca. They are the first and largest mattress recycler operating in British Columbia. The price for a mattress drop-off is $14. The warehouse is located at 7885 North Fraser Way. If you would like your mattress picked-up, Mattressrecycling.ca charges $55.

Breaking Down Your Bed

For more information of mattress recycling visit metrovancouver.org.

You take your car in every six months for an oil change to keep it running smoothly.

You defrag your desktop every week to clear out all those unnecessary files.

You check in with your children’s teachers every term to make sure they’re on the right track.

You pop vitamins every morning to maintain your health.

But what do you do to maintain the life of your mattress?

Simmons Mattress gallery suggests vacuuming your mattress at least once every two months. We won’t get into the details of what you need to vacuum up, but lets just say the largest organ in your body tends to shed.

A Quick Vacuum Only Takes A Few Minutes

If your mattress is not a Simmons, you may have to flip it every year. Simmons owners will know that their beds are made of advanced non-flip pocket coils that maintain their support year after year.

If you accidently spill a liquid that you fear might stain the bed, pull off the mattress pad and wash it on its own. If the spill made it through, use a mild soap and rub lightly. Do not soak your mattress.

During your bimonthly vacuuming, check the mattress for signs of wear. If you do notice a problem, consult your warranty. If your mattress is more than five years old it may be time to look for another.

Simmons Mattress Gallery is your best option in the Lower Mainland for quality mattresses at moderate prices. Come see what you’ve been missing in comfort. Take home a Beautyrest this week before you go back to work.

Just remember to maintain it.

The Consumers’ Choice Award is an honour handed out to a very select group of businesses across North America.

The purpose of the project is to “publicly identify those establishments which have been voted by consumers as being their choice for excellence.” The winners are judged not by a panel, but by the consumers purchasing the product. There are two categories, business and consumer. A gold winner is announced for each category.

The awards are handed out at a prestigious Gala Award Ceremony in November.

This year, Simmons Mattress Gallery will be recognized for the seventh year in a row for outstanding customer service and product integrity.

Our stores in Coquitlam, Vancouver and Victoria have been recognized by the voting public as being the very best in the mattress industry.

Neil Wurst will be accepting this year’s award on behalf of Simmons Mattress Gallery.

Neil is the General Manager and mattress visionary behind all three, Western Canada, Simmons Mattress Gallery locations.

This year’s awards will be aired on television at the end of the month.

Stay tuned for further details.

Simmons Mattress Gallery has been sharing blog entries with our readers for over a year now. We have written on a variety of topics ranging from our showroom mattresses, to events around town, to the local sport’s stories. We have given you useful information about sleeping disorders, bedbugs and relationship advice. We have had a lot of fun writing and researching our articles. I hope you have enjoyed reading them.

For a quick look back at some of our posts, here is a thematic listing:

Sleep Disorders:

Grinding in the Night - ‘Bruxism’ is a term used to describe the practice of grinding one’s teeth during sleep

The Phantom Leg – This article talks about the neurological disorder, restless leg syndrome.

Mattress Guilt - For older readers, this article concerns sleepers who unknowingly engage in sexual activity while asleep.

Breathless at Night – Sleep apnea causes some individuals to pause their breathing during sleep.

“You’re getting very sleepy…” - This article talks about hypnosis as a cure for sleep disorders.

Wide Awake and Writing – This is a review of Patricia Morrisroe’s book “Wide Awake: A Memoir of Insomnia.”

Mattress Buying 101:

A Lesson in Mattress Shopping – Six tips for mattress buying.

The Simmons Brand – The history of our brand and the innovative non-flip pocket coil mattress.

The Simmons Difference – Comfort, motion separation and professional advice.

There Are No Silly Questions; Well, Maybe a Few – Some questions that caught us off guard.

Kid Friendly – Simmons Mattress Gallery also sells classic wood cribs.

Humourous Tales:

WordPress Crashes on Mattress – A little April Fools humour.

Sleeping With a Legend – The Japanese think of everything.

The Sweet Sounds of “Mattress Music” - A fictitious soundtrack inspired by our favourite topic.

Tales of the Absurd – The bizarre world of competitive eating.

The Smell of Victory – A play-by-play description of ‘giving a dutch oven.’

Hold Back That Yawn… You Can’t! – Just try to. Once you start there is no stopping.

Life is Precious! - The story of a feline who got caught up in a move.

The Royal Mattress Stack - The retelling of an old fairy tale.

Family and Relationships:

Putting the Kids to Bed – Addressing the sleep issue with every member in the family.

Relationship Advice From the Mattress Professionals – Our number one piece of relationship advice: “Don’t go to bed in the middle of a fight.”

Mattress Romance – A little message from the baby with heart tipped arrows.

The Marriage Bed – Buying the right bed to start your new life together.

Sex Differential - Yes, we are different.

Missing the Moment - Be there for all your children’s firsts.

Canadians Need to Leave Work at Work and Enjoy Their Leisure Time - Title says it all.

Survey Says: Parents Need Help With Sleepless Infants - Finding solutions to sleepless nights.

Back-To-School Sleep Ideas – Plan for the transition between holidays and school.

Blowing Off The Dust

The Simmons mattress brand has been making quality-sleeping products since 1891. Known worldwide for their mattresses, the Simmons Company is also keenly devoted to creating superior products for the young ones in your household.

Since 1969, when the Simmons Company purchased McGraw-Edison, Simmons has been operating a Juvenile Furniture line.

In 2006, the furniture division was renamed Simmons Kids Furniture.

Today, they offer a wide range of wooden cribs, chests and armoires for your toddler’s nursery.

Simmons Mattress Gallery in Coquitlam, is proud to sell the Simmons Kids crib line. We believe in selling only the finest sleeping products and Simmons Kids Furniture is no exception.

Sausalito Crib N More

All of the items in our showroom have received the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association certification. This means they have been thoroughly tested for safety and quality. To indicate our standards, each approved item bares a gold seal with the acronym JPMA. Viewing this seal, on any product in our store, communicates one thing: “Rest easy. It is a Simmons.”

So next time you’re in need of a new sleeping platform, shop for the whole family, at Simmons Mattress Gallery, where quality, craftsmanship and competitive pricing go hand-in-hand.

Here at the Simmons Mattress Blog, we have talked a lot about the topic of insomnia. We’ve discussed sleeping pills, reviewed a book on insomnia and presented the cold hard facts (42% of North Americans suffer from it).

Our advice has always been to start with a new mattress. It’s practical, comforting both for your mental and physical state and it offers no creepy side effects.

But for those of you looking for an alternative cure, we thought we could do a short analysis on the practice of hypnotherapy, as solution to your restless nights.

Hypnosis has been used as a treatment for sleep disorders for the last eighty years. It involves the help of a trained hypnotherapist to induce a trance-like state. From this state, the patient and therapist can explore the problems and issues surrounding the patient’s inability to receive adequate amounts of rest.

Since the patient may be vulnerable during the procedure, it is important that both parties agree on what topics and procedures will be covered during the patient’s trance.

A common part of the therapy is creating effective sleep patterns that the patient can then use at home.

These sleep patterns can also take the form of self-hypnosis.

Self-hypnosis involves regulated breathing, positive statements and occasionally, imaginary or factual settings where the patient can escape to.

Most routines start with a slow, calculated release of body tension. Each part of the body is focused on and tension is released during a conditioned exhale. In practice, this should allow the patient to reach a state similar to one prompted by a therapist.

At this point, the patient repeats affirmative statements that express a desire to sleep. An example is: “My body is now ready to sleep. My body is now ready to sleep. My body…” This involves short countdowns as well.

For this method to work at home, the patient must eliminate all distracting stimuli from the sleeping environment. This allows for better focus.

To improve this focus, Simmons would like to repeat our suggestion of a new mattress. Although, lying on a Simmons, you may not get through the body part portion before you’re lost in sleep. We guess that’s a good thing.

When mattresses stories surface, we are all ears, and this week we heard a doozie.

Our tale takes place in Edmonton, at the apartment of Timmy DeJordy.

DeJordy was sick of her old mattress and ordered a new one from a local mattress dealer. Being 69 years old, DeJordy arranged for the company to deliver her new mattress and kindly donate her old one to charity.

The movers arrived and went to work. They first removed DeJordy’s old twin and then setup the new bed. The process seemed to be painless and DeJordy felt the instant satisfaction of being a new mattress owner.

But things changed the next morning, when DeJordy’s cat, Precious, failed to show up for breakfast. Precious was a lover of the indoors and it was hard to believe she had fled the apartment. But there was no sign of her. DeJordy was crushed.

Later that day, while she was talking with her sister Gwen, DeJordy was reminded of the time Precious hid inside the boxspring. Instantly the thought occurred to her that maybe Precious was hiding in the mattress foundation when the movers came to take it away.

She called the distribution center immediately and told them the story.

The company sympathized with the woman and sent two supervisors to check on all the new donations. After a dozen mattresses they finally found the frightened feline.

In good health, Precious was returned to her owner the following Monday. The only visible symptom from the ordeal was an increase in shedding, due to the shock of being trapped for so long.

With her friend back at home, DeJordy could finally enjoy her purchase.

Always Check For Stowaways

Looking for a late night read? Something light, but not drivel, engrossing, but not a Stieg Larson page-turner? What about a light read on a topic many North Americans suffer from; A condition that has created a $24-billion dollar industry. The condition: insomnia. The book: Wide Awake: A Memoir of Insomnia. The author: Patricia Morrisroe.

A Review of the Remedies Offered To Those Suffering From Insomnia

Morrisroe is one of the many who lie awake at night praying for a miracle cure. A pill, or treatment, or piece of furniture that would offer a guaranteed eight hours of doctor recommended sleep.

Morrisroe’s book is her own personal quest to conquer her condition.

As part of her research, Morrisroe attempted to try a number of different proposed insomnia remedies. She travelled to Sweden to stay at the Ice Hotel and talked with the Sami people about their coping mechanisms for the midnight sun. She went on a variety of prescription drugs, including Doxepin, Ambien and Lunesta. She was hypnotized, attended brain music therapy and was told by one doctor that she needed braces to correct her small jaw, which would somehow fix her insomnia.

She also purchased a deluxe mattress, which, she did claim made a difference, something we at Simmons Mattress Gallery have always known.

But in the end, it was a spiritual, meditative release that affected her sleep the most. We won’t give you the details. You’ll have to read the book.

-Feel free to message us with your review.

This week, Simmons Mattress Gallery would like to thank all the faithful mattress lovers out there in cyberspace who have been enjoying our weekly blog. This is our 116th entry. We have tried to keep our articles fresh and current, while still emphasizing the need for a comfortable sleep. The focus has been on our products, sleeping issues and fun activities to get involved in around the Lower Mainland. Our readership has grown and our blog has even attracted the attention of local sports star Brent Seabrook.

Seabrook plays for the Chicago Blackhawks and is one of the major factors behind Vancouver’s early exit from the playoffs. So even though we hate him for his shutdown performance against the Canucks, we love the fact he reads our blogs and was inspired to come buy a mattress.

Seabrook Celebrates Goal With Teammate Versteeg

Here is a list of some of our most popular articles:

1. Creepy Crawlies Invade the West End.

-This article talks about the terrible bed bug epidemic affecting Vancouver’s West End residents. It offers preventive measures and coping techniques.

2. Mattress Disposal

-Getting rid of your old mattress once you have purchased a new one is always difficult. This article offers four easy ways to dispose of your old bed.

3. Johnny Depp’s Pajamas

-This is a celebrity siting article about our favourite swashbuckling pirate, Johnny Depp.

4. A Lesson in Mattress Shopping

-A lot of our customers are looking to buy a new mattress, but don’t know how to begin the process. This simple article lists six easy steps to start you on the road to comfort.

5. WordPress Crashes On Mattress

-This article created quite a stir when it was posted for April Fools Day.

6. Idzikowski’s Six Personality Sleep Positions

-Your personality may be linked to the way you sleep. This article examines six different sleeping positions and the personality that they are connected with.

7. The Sweet Sounds of “Mattress Music”

-This was Inspired by Marques Houston’s album entitled “Mattress Music.”

8. Rain City Gallery

-Although you wouldn’t think it these days, we do get a fair number of rainy days here in Vancouver. This article provides a number of gallery locations to spend your time during the wet months. The top gallery on the list: Simmons Mattress Gallery.

9. Mattress Guilt

-Sexsomnia is a serious condition where afflicted individuals engage in sexual acts while they sleep.

10. From the Moon to Your Room

-The history of memory foam. It was actually a product invented by NASA to add a shock layer on the seats of the shuttle. Who knew that the comfort of an astronaut’s posterior would change the mattress world forever.

So for all those reading our weekly blogs, thank you. And for those just joining us, welcome. We promise to continue to provide you with entertaining and educational articles. Thanks for reading.

Your Persistent Blogger,

Simmons Mattress Gallery

With the hot days of summer finally here, Simmons Mattress Gallery has put together a list of the top three outdoor pools in Vancouver. So pick your favourite and make some time to cool off.

1. Kitsilano Pool

-Kits Pool, as it is referred to by the locals, is located adjacent to Kits Beach on the West Side. It is Vancouver’s only heated saltwater pool and is the longest outdoor pool in Canada. With a breathtaking view of the mountains in the background, Kits Pool is also one of the most scenic settings to take a dip. It has lanes for length swimming and a shallow area for the kids. Adult entry is $5.15 and children below 12 are $2.60 each. After a swim, you may want to take in a free performance at the Kitsilano Showboat, located directly behind the pool.

2. Second Beach Pool

-Once a cold salt water pool, Second Beach is now a heated fresh water pool on the southeast corner of Stanley Park. It is 5 feet deep at its maximum. There are lanes for swimming, but they are not nearly as long as the lanes at Kits. This pool is mostly for families and those looking to splash around on a hot summer day. There is also a great concession stand located just behind the pool that serves sinfully greasy fish and chips. (Always remember to wait half an hour after eating before returning to the water to avoid cramps)

3. Maple Grove Park Pool

-Located in Kerrisdale, on Vancouver’s West Side, Maple Grove Pool is strictly for families with small children. It is essentially a wading pool, but after a well needed renovation a few years back, Maple Grove Pool is one of the most stylish pools in the city. After your done playing in the water, take the kids to the park for some bocce ball or hit the giant swings for some high flying fun in the sun.

Maple Grove Park Swimming Pool

This just in from Simmons Mattress Gallery: Teenagers need more sleep.

Not really newsworthy? Well a study being published this month in” Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine,” has found that delaying the start of the school day by as little as half an hour can increase motivation and decrease depression in teens.

The study was conducted at St. George’s School in Newport, Rhode Island. 201 students were surveyed when the school made the bold decision to push back their start time by thirty minutes.

The lost time was not added to the end of the day, but skimmed off of classroom time and assembly functions.

Both students and teachers were skeptical at first, but the survey found that 55 per cent of the students were able to secure eight hours of sleep or more. This was up from just 16 per cent before the delayed start day.

Another interesting finding, was that the number of students who felt depressed decreased by nearly 20 per cent.

But wouldn’t students be better off going to bed half an hour earlier?

Dr. Judith Owens, one of the specialists involved in the survey, claims that children fall asleep naturally later and later as they grow older.

Starting school later counteracts this natural phenomenon and helps adolescents move towards the optimal time of nine hours of sleep a night.

St. George’s has now made the late start time a permanent fixture.

“All we are saying is give peace a chance.”

With all the violence that took place this past weekend at the G20 summit, it’s a shame more demonstrations don’t go the way of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 1969 bed-in. Held in the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel and again at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, the bed-in demonstrations brought attention to the anti-war movement that was growing around the world for America’s involvement in Vietnam.

The issues may have changed over the years, but non-violent protests still hold weight. Done in the right manner, they can garnish the same amount of attention as an angry mob, without incurring violence, damaging public property, or interfering with the daily lives of average citizens.

And with the mattress innovations at Simmons, the whole experience can take place on a pocket coil cloud of comfort with no chance of tear gas, attack dogs or water cannons.

To size up the setting for your next demonstration, swing by one of the Simmons Mattress Gallery locations near you.

No one wants to be locked in a temporary holding cell for protesting. Create your own environment for change and invite the world to your bed.

Canadians are finding less and less time to relax and enjoy all the small things that make life so precious.

This is in accordance to the findings published by the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, last Tuesday.

The report, entitled, “Caught in the Time Crunch: Time Use, Leisure and Culture in Canada,” claims that non-standard work hours, increased caregiving for the elderly and technology’s firm grasp on our personal lives has diminished the idle time available to Canadians.

An increase in non-standard work hours, means Canadians are more likely to have small blocks of idle time that are less likely to coincide with the free time of friends and family. Evening work hours are especially damaging to the family dynamic.

With the baby-boomers in full retirement mode, more and more middle-aged adults are having to care for their aging parents. This too, is taking away from the time professionals could be spending with their children or relaxing on their own.

But the real killer affecting society is the technological umbilical chord connecting us 24 hours a day to our jobs; thank you Blackberry, for the subtle reminder that in today’s world, data sharing is much more important than simple experiences like exploring nature.

So what do we do to stop the trend?

Here are Simmons Mattress Gallery’s top 5:

1.  Have a time every evening when you turn off your work phone; not for an hour or two, but for the rest of the night. Make this time as early as possible.

2. Consider a job-share program with a co-worker. This would allow you to spend more time with your family or your own, quietly enjoying a book or a glass of wine. It would also mean a less extravagant yearly vacation and maybe a budget tweak.

3. Look into retirement homes. Yes, they cost a fortune, but it’s money you can spare and hopefully your parents are lucky enough to have a pension. It doesn’t mean you love them any less. They will understand.

4. Petition the government to upgrade employment standards. The message will be heard if the volume is there. Feel free to quote this article or the report itself.

5. Buy a new bed. It will help you secure the rest you need to operate during your busy day. Simmons Mattress Gallery is a great place to start your search. Find a little bit of time between the crunch and come check out our stock. And bring the kids. And maybe the parents too.

The Simple Pleasures

This summer, Vancouver will be treated to a beautiful collection of French paintings focusing on ‘The Modern Woman.’

The Vancouver Art Gallery is proud to display some of the finest drawings, from the 19^th Century, contained in the Musée d’Orsay.

Featured artists will be: Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Édouard Manet.

The exhibition focuses on the changing role of women in society, during the 19^th Century. This change is expressed in the forms, roles and portrayal of the female character by some of the most famous artists of that time period.

One of the common themes that arises from viewing these works is ‘independence.’ The modern woman is not bound to a domestic environment. She is not a figure to be romanticized or idealized. She is the central character in her own world. She is free to gaze on her audience, to enjoy her own pursuits and to occupy the canvas without a male companion.

This independence is a huge departure from the saintly, maternal figures portrayed in European art before the 19^th Century. The significance of this artistic shift is a direct reflection of the modernization of social thought.

To view all of the works offered at the exhibition, plan a trip to the Vancouver Art Gallery before September 6^th.

The lineups will be long, so plan to wait.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with an extended closing of 9 pm on Tuesdays.

The adult charge is $19.50, while students are $13.

One of Degas' Ballerinas

Ambition, Desire, Temptation...

“That time? O times / I laughed him out of patience; and that night / I laugh’d him into patience; and next morn, / Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed.”

-Cleopatra (Anthony and Cleopatra Act II, Scene 5)

This summer, under the peppermint tents, Ancient Egypt will come alive through the words of the world’s most famous playwright; William Shakespeare. Vancouverites will bare witness to Julius Ceasar’s greatest soldier falling from grace and Egypt’s last Pharaoh surrendering her once mighty kingdom to Roman rule. The tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra runs from June 17th to September 24th, at the annual Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival in Vanier Park.

Accompanying this play will be three other productions all penned by the Immortal Bard: Much Ado About Nothing, Falstaff and Henry V. Falstaff, named after the clowning companion of Prince Hal, is a combination of Henry IV Part I and II, a definite bang for your buck.

The season begins with Much Ado About Nothing, on June 10th.

Included in this year’s program are the traditional Bard-B-Q (clever) & Fireworks night, Chatterbox Tuesdays and a Lecture Series.

Tickets can be purchased on line through the Bard on the Beach website:

http://www.bardonthebeach.org/

Simmons Mattress Gallery suggests reading the plays before hand, or at least studying the short synopsis supplied on-line. You will take away much more of Shakespeare’s beautiful imagery and cunning word play if you already have a conceptual analysis of how the events will unfold. Just a tip.

So enjoy this summer’s offering of historical drama in one of the most beautiful theatrical settings in the world. And remember to bring your blanket.

Vancouver's First UFC Event

There may be a few more tired bodies hitting the mattresses in Vancouver this month, as the UFC makes it’s inaugural debut in Western Canada on June 12th.

Already cited in town, Chuck Liddell has been training for his bout with Rich Franklin. The two veteran warriors will be the main event next Saturday. Liddell’s original opponent was Tito Ortiz. Unfortunately, Ortiz was forced to back out after undergoing surgery on his neck.

Ortiz and Liddell were the coaches for the latest installment of the “Ultimate Fighter” reality show.

The undercard will feature Mirko Cro Cop vs. Pat Barry, Paul Thiago vs. Martin Kamomann and eight other bouts.

The athletes competing will need to get all the rest they possibly can before heading into the Octagon.

Let’s hope they’re getting their rest on a Simmons Beautyrest.

They will certainly appreciate all the individual pocket coils the night after their fight.

Putting your body through that kind of punishment deserves a reward and no other mattress can supply the comfort levels offered by a Simmons.

Try one for yourself at a Simmons Mattress Gallery.

You may not have the muscle tone or grappling skills to compete in the UFC, but you can still enjoy a Simmons.

This week Simmons Mattress Gallery would like to pass on six tips for the potential mattress buyer. We know mattress shopping isn’t something you do every weekend and it’s not as easy as buying groceries, so here are a few pointers:

1. The question is often asked of us: “How do I know when I should buy a new mattress.” Well if your mattress is five years or older, it’s probably time to consider evaluating your sleep. You should ask yourself the following questions; do you wake up with stiffness; do you sleep better when you’re not at home; is your mattress sagging or does it contain knotted lumps that are distracting when you sleep. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions, it is definitely time to visit Simmons Mattress Gallery.

2. Before you come, view the mattresses online at simmonscanada.com. Get a rough idea of what mattresses you would be interested in.

3. If you sleep with a partner, shop together! We cannot stress this enough. You will be spending a third of your day on your new purchase. Make sure you are both happy with your choice.

4. When you arrive at Simmons Mattress Gallery, consult one of the staff and discuss your sleep preferences. These individuals are more than salespeople, they are trained sleep professionals. They know their mattresses inside and out – literally.

5. Test sleep the mattress you are considering. This does not mean lying down for 30 sec. Take your time. Spend 15 or 20 minutes on each one. Sit up in the position you read in. Lie on your back, your side and your stomach. Snuggle with your partner. Are you comfortable in each position?

6. Finally, spend to the maximum amount that your budget can handle. Price is a reflection of quality. The more you spend, the more your body will thank you.

Good luck with your shopping and we will see you soon.

Finding it hard to get your head around a certain concept? Struggling to increase your memorizations skills for that Anatomy exam? Need a break from studying, but afraid you will lose the last three hours of cramming?

Simmons Mattress Gallery has news for you: napping can seriously increase your memory recall and cognitive understanding.

Go Ahead. Take a Nap. It Could Help Your Learning

This is the finding of a recent study published in Current Biology. The study found that students, who were given a complex map to study, were better equipped to find their way through the three-dimensional maze if they took a short nap and were able to dream about the material in question.

The students who were not given a nap, or who napped in a dreamless state, preformed at a lower standard then those who visualized the map in their slumber.

One of the head researchers, Robert Stickgold, claimed, “dreams are a marker that the brain is working on the same problem at many levels.”

During our waking life, it is highly possible that there may be too many distractions for our brain to focus on complex problems.

In our sleep, our brains are able to discard or put aside the material in our lives that is of little significance. Our subconscious is then able to grapple with the issues our conscious mind found to be vexing.

Stickgold also went as far as suggesting students to study hard just before they go to sleep at night or before a quick afternoon nap.

So the next time your mother or roommate gives you grief for napping with your books open, tell them you are just trying to get some help from your subconscious.

You might also want to recommend, that to improve your overall learning, they may want to help you purchase a new mattress. This will provide the most suitable setting for undisturbed forays into the educational dream realm.

Good luck with the last week of exams!

Simmons Mattress Gallery is always on the hunt for the most bizarre mattress story and this week we think we may have found a leading candidate.

Our real-life tale comes from the United States, in a small town called Marlborough, in the state of Massachusetts.

Like any city or town in the world today, Marlborough has its crime issues. And like Vancouver, a lot of these criminal acts are fueled by drug dependency. Our mattress tale deals with an individual suffering from an addiction to prescription pills.

Francis L. Davenport was arrested this week for breaking into a residence and stealing 53 clonazepam pills. He is also being charged with assaulting the owner of the house, who had an earlier restraining order filed against Davenport.

When the police were called to the scene of the crime, the victim gave them the assailant’s address. The victim also informed the police that Davenport would be hiding somewhere in his own bedroom.

Upon arriving at the house of the accused, the police found the bedroom empty. They then began a search of the premise. Their luck turned when they flipped Davenport’s mattress to discover a secret compartment.

Apparently the accused was prepared for a police search and had built a hideout using his bed frame.

Upon being discovered, Davenport leapt from his hiding spot, shouting the phrase: “I’m here.”

‘Quite the game of hide-and-seek.’

Please stay tuned as we renew our content for our brand new blog!

A recent study, reported in “New Scientist,” is claiming that having too much or too little sleep can have a serious impact on your waistline.

Researchers at Wake Forest University conducted the study. The scientists monitored African American and Hispanic citizens, deemed to be at the highest risk for obesity, for five years.

The test groups that slept more than eight hours and less than five experienced the greatest weight gain.

In addition, after performing CAT scans, the researchers found the same individuals were more likely to have an increase in visceral fat. This is the most dangerous fat because of its attachment to internal organs.

These findings prove what many of us already knew: receiving eight hours of sleep at night is one of the most important things you can do for your body.

A good night’s sleep leaves you physically rested and mentally aware. Denying your body sleep or over indulging is a disservice to your health.

You may hit the gym more than three times a week, but if you’re not getting the rest you need, you may lose out on seeing the results.

So make the time and call it an early one. Your body will thank you.

The way you sleep at night may speak volumes about your personality.

This is a theory put forward by Professor Chris Idzikowski, a sleep research specialist for both the US and the European Sleep Research Societies.

Of the many positions you assume in the night, Idzikowski has identified six common poses as being indicative of certain personality traits.

1. The Fetus Position (curled up with your knees towards your chest)

• Idzikowski found that individuals who would appear tough in public, but had a softer, gentler side beneath the surface normally adopted this position. His research showed that of all the positions available, this position was favoured most by his test subjects.

2. The Log (lying on your side with your arms and legs pointing towards the end of the bed)

• Individuals who were often easy-going assumed this position. Idzikowski also found that people who lie like logs are often successful in social settings.

3. The Soldier (lying on your back in a pose that looks like a soldier at attention)

• The ’soldier’ sleepers were generally found to be quiet and reserved. He also noted that many of these individuals had high standards of themselves and others.

4. The Yearner (lying on your side with your arms straight out and your legs pointed down)

• These individuals often had firm beliefs that were unlikely to change.

5. The Freefall (lying on your front, arms around your pillow, with your head to one side)

• Idzikowski found that his subjects who struck this pose would often object to criticism. They were also wary of extreme conditions.

6. Starfish (lying on your back with your arms back behind your head holding the pillow)

• This was the least common position adopted by Idzikowski’s volunteers. The traits that were similar with these individuals were compassionate listening and an avoidance of attention.

So take this little list and as you and your partner fall asleep on your new Simmons Beautyrest, take a second to see what position they assume. Does their personality it match their pose?

Share your answers with us and receive two free pillows with your next purchase of a Simmons mattress at Simmons Mattress Gallery.

The PVR changed the way we watch television. The I-pod changed the way we collected music. The slapchop changed the way we… cut up vegetables. And memory foam changed the possibilities for a comfortable sleep.

But like a number of inventions of its time, memory foam was not originally designed for the purpose we now use it for.

Memory foam was first produced by NASA, in 1966, under the label ‘Temper Foam.’ This foam was designed specifically for the seat cushions in space shuttles. The purpose of the foam was to add a shock layer for the astronaut’s posteriors during take-off and landing.

Since then, a number of companies have adopted the foam to add comfort and safety to their products. Originally too expensive for consumer use, the foam has now shown up in helmets, in veterinary clinics, in wheel chair padding and most importantly, on the top of our beds.

Two reasons for memory foam’s widespread use are its ability to eliminate pressure points and its ability to increase blood circulation. These two features make it an ideal surface for sleeping on.

The medical world was one of the first fields to use the foam on top of a mattress. Patients with mobility issues are supplied the foam to prevent issues that arise from sleeping on a firm mattress; like stiffness and pressure sores.

By reacting to body warmth and weight, the foam also offers a cushioning that dissipates heat. This is excellent for individuals who are easily disturbed by temperature increase.

With new improvements to the foam’s composition, recovery time has increased, resulting in quicker adjustments to your natural movements in the night. Your body’s contours are consistently supported with a comfort level that only the best astronauts are accustomed to.

With NASA’s technology, Simmons Mattress Gallery offers memory foam as a luxury feature for some of our finest mattresses. Using Visco and Latex foam, our Beautyrest line is enhanced beyond the comfort supplied by our innovative pocket coil design.

Come try our Beautyrest Black series or our Beautyrest NxG mattresses and experience all the benefits of memory foam with added support right to the edge of your bed.

We may not be able to take you to the moon, but we can top your bed with the finest foam in the business.

Visit a Simmons Mattress Gallery near you to feel the difference memory foam provides.

“There are three red bites on your neck and your sheets are spotted with copper marks.

During the day you quiver at the very thought of returning to your bed.

Your friends avoid you and your family stops calling.

The night brings no rest.

Eventually the stress consumes you.

You look for answers from the most unlikely sources.

You’ve heard stories of their carnivorous lifestyle, but doubt their existence.

Has Twilight become reality?

No. There is no denying, you, have bed bugs.”

Bed bugs are now considered an epidemic in Vancouver’s West End. A problem for years in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the bugs have migrated west, proving that expensive cluster living is just as at risk as the poorest housing project.

The bugs have three main methods of travel. The first, and most common method is through luggage or daypacks. The bag may be dropped for a few minutes or stored for a few days in an infected area. When the article moves, the bugs move with it. This is easily done at a hotel, where unsuspecting guests leave their luggage open. The bugs are attracted by the human scent and dead skin. They make their way into the bag and are eventually transported to another location.

The second method is through clothing and or bedding. The bugs do not live on humans like lice; they prefer to make their homes away from the host. They establish themselves in an area and then return to the body to feed.

The last method of travel is through wiring. The bugs can move through apartment complexes using the electrical wires that connect each unit. Shockingly, they can also follow the wires outside to a neighbouring complex.

While the bugs do feed on the blood of humans, they are not considered a health risk and are incapable of spreading disease. They do, however, propose a danger for people living with immune deficiency. Early detection is key. Here is what to look for:

1. Bed Bugs (the actual insect) – oval shaped, with a flattened red body the size of a lady bug

2. Dark Spots on your sheets

3. Copper Stains on your mattress or bedding

4. Bite marks that come in threes

Once infected, you can try and contain the problem yourself, but your best option is to hire a professional. Vancouver Bed Bug Control Inc. is one of the companies working in Vancouver that specializes in bed bug removal. In the past they used beagles to sniff out the unwanted insects for early detection, but they have now switched to a cimex case baited with human pheromone.

If you are set on doing the work yourself, make sure you have a powerful vacuum, the tools to dismantle your furniture, and the will to throw away infected items such as children’s toys and pillows. Start with the vacuuming, then wash all your clothes and bedding, then vacuum again, inspect all your furniture, vacuum again and then use a spray product on areas that you have discovered to be infected. Then vacuum again. Good luck.

If you are renting, the fees surrounding the treatment of these pests may be subsidized or paid in full by your landlord.

If you are merely concerned about infection, here are some preventative measures you can take:

1. Inspect your luggage after a trip abroad before bringing it into your house.

2. Do not drop your day bag on the floor or furniture of another residence.

3. Do not buy second hand furniture or mattresses.

4. Repair holes or cracks in your drywall.

5. Purchase a bed bug mattress cover package that includes a box spring cover, a mattress cover and multiple pillow covers.

Vampires may only exist in teenage-romance novels, but bed bugs are very real. Stay informed. Here are some helpful websites:

The Bed Bug Registry

http://bedbugregistry.com/location/BC/V6E/Vancouver/1100-Jervis-St/

Health Link BC

http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile95.stm

Vancouver Bed Bug Control

http://www.vancouverbedbugcontrol.com/

For complete peace of mind, consider purchasing a brand new mattress set from Simmons Mattress Gallery. We can outfit you with all the components you need to start fresh. Come stop by our locations in Vancouver, Victoria, or Coquitlam. Or visit us online at simmonsmattressgallery.ca.

Check out our new website: Mattress Vancouver.

Simmons Mattress Gallery Has a New Website