Everyone deserves a good
night's sleep -- it's as important as proper diet and exercise for
achieving optimum health. But as everyone knows, a good night's sleep can
be hard to come by. Everyday stress and worries may make it difficult to
enjoy a healthful rest. Factors outside of our control, inherent to our
environment also can make a good sleep impossible. According to the
National Sleep Foundation (NSF), the ideal sleeping environment may be one
that is cool, dark, and quiet. Therefore, outside noise and lights can be
important obstacles to a restful sleep.
 The NSF reports that 40% of females
and 30% of males suffer from sleeping problems. It's no secret that a lack
of sleep can result in a loss of concentration and inability to accomplish
required tasks. Sleeplessness may be even more problematic: A survey found
that people with chronic insomnia are more likely than others to develop a
myriad of psychiatric problems; also, at least 1,500 people a year lose
their lives to fatigue-related car accidents.
Given the numerous
health risks caused by sleeping problems, the NSF has set forth six tips
for achieving a healthy, restful night's sleep:
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the late afternoon and
evenings.
- Exercise regularly, at least 3 hours before bedtime.
- Don't nap during the day.
- Establish a bedtime routine that is relaxing.
- Associate your bed with sleep; don't watch television or do work in
bed.
- Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day.
 Even when these NSF tips are
followed, light and noise from outside your home may present the final
obstacle to enjoying a good night's sleep. But with Hunter Douglas Window
Fashions, these environmental factors that were once an unavoidable
irritation can now be easily managed, and almost completely eliminated, by
the twist of a wand or the click of a remote control. Hunter Douglas's
energy efficient window treatments address the problem of unwanted light
for better sleep:
LIGHTLINES® MINI-BLINDS: Lightlines mini-blinds
with the "de-Light™" feature block out 99% of visible light. This feature
includes hidden rout-holes and more slats than traditional mini-blinds for
tighter vane closure.
COUNTRY WOODS ARTISAN SERIES™: These wood
blinds come standard with the "de-Light™" feature and are available in 47
standard colors in natural wood tones. A custom color-matching program is
available, as well as Country Woods Select™, a collection of five species
of wood from Cherry to Oak that allows consumers to match the look and
feel of the blinds with their own wood floors or furniture. Specialty
shapes are also available.
DUETTE® HONEYCOMB SHADES: These shades
are available in an opaque fabric with an aluminized polyester film core.
This energy-efficient blackout option keeps out 99% of outside light when
lowered, and helps make your home cool in the summer because hot air is
"trapped" in the honeycomb cells. These shades also absorb outside noise.
SILHOUETTE BON SOIR™: Offered in 12 designer colors, Silhouette
Bon Soir features semi-opaque fabric vanes suspended between sheer facings
that reduce the transmission of direct sunlight by 70%. PLEATED SHADES:
Hunter Douglas pleated shades offer special backings (standard or
blackout) to increase privacy and decrease unwanted light. Available for
children's rooms, "A Shade Younger" pleated shades also offer the special
backings that shut out the sunlight at naptime and are decorated with the
whimsy of childhood in mind.
WINDOW SHADES: Available in opaque
and semi-opaque fabrics of 100% woven polyester, each Hunter Douglas
window shade features a heavy clutch roller system and a wrapped bottom
rail with balance weight adjustment to prevent skewing. Two valance
options and a variety of hem styles and trims are available. There are
other products that can complement Hunter Douglas window treatments by
reducing outside noise considerably, such as CitiQuiet Interior Noise
Elimination windows. CitiQuiet windows consist of an optical float glass,
installed between the original window and the room to create an acoustical
seal that blocks out between 25% to 90% of outside noise.
 Hunter Douglas window treatments
keep out the elements, lower energy bills and help you sleep. Practical
and beautiful, energy efficient Hunter Douglas window treatments keep
noise and light out, setting the stage for a therapeutic night of peaceful
rest.
The National Sleep Foundation is an independent nonprofit
organization that promotes public understanding of sleep and sleep
disorders and supports sleep-related education, research and advocacy to
improve public health and safety. The NSF neither implicitly nor
explicitly endorses any product. For more information on sleep and sleep
disorders, call the NSF at 1-888-NSF-SLEEP.
Written By Hunter Douglas' Design Expert Sally.
View more articles by Sally
Visit the Hunter Douglas Website
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