DOCTORS have long advocated the importance of sleep for our wellbeing. The optimum duration is eight hours. It's always better to sleep and wake up early, in line with our circadian rhythm.
Besides, from 8pm onwards, our metabolism slows down, preparing the body for its nightly rest.
A few local brands, like Joey and Sonno, make good quality mattresses using foam.
Another local brand, Comfort Co, makes pillows. This brand is owned by Winplus Marketing M Sdn Bhd which has been making bedding, including mattress and mattress covers, for the past 18 years.
Its latest range is Miragel, a down-alternative fibre made of bamboo. Bamboo fibre has long been recognised for its eco-friendly nature and multifunctionality.
The outer fabric of Miragel pillows is made from bamboo fabric which is cool to the touch.
Crafted to retain all the natural qualities of bamboo fibre, the pillow is hypoallergenic, anti-bacterial and breathable, wicking moisture away from the skin.
Brand representative Cher Teoh says sleep support should come hand-in-hand with comfort.
"Our pillows are made with our climate in mind. Combined with the natural breathability of the bamboo fibre outer fabric, the pillow is a perfect sleep companion in our tropical and humid climate."
DIFFERENT PILLOWS
The Miragel pillow comes with a 5cm gusset which provides additional ergonomic support, aligning the head, shoulders and back.
"Each sleep position requires a different height for the right level of support. Side sleepers, for example, will benefit from a high loft pillow," says Teoh.
I try the Miragel pilow for a week and I must say it is very comfortable. I wake up fresh every morning with hardly any disturbed sleep due to discomfort.
My current pillow is a latex one from Getha. I bought it last year after my
kekabu pillow turned clumpy. It is expensive but at 43, I have come to a realisation that while I don't need many things, pillows and mattresses are not things to skimp on.
The Miragel results in comfortable sleep, although it sinks like I'm on a down pillow. It doesn't have the support that I like but sleeping on it is comfortable.
At RM189, it's a worthwhile buy since it will be used at least six to seven hours every day.
FOR KIDS
The brand has pillows for kids too. Adult-sized pillows are thicker and plumper which will place unnecessary strain on their necks, says Teoh.
There's Miragel Kids for toddlers 3 to 6 years old, and the Miragel Petite for kids 7 to 12.
The Miragel Lite pillow is lower, suitable for back sleepers. There are also bolsters - available in both adults and kids' sizes for body support. The brand offers a 30-night free trial for all their products.
"Our products are made from high quality materials. From the choice of materials to firmness, height, and size, no detail is too small," adds Teoh.
Prices range from RM79 to RM189, and the products are available at comfort.co.com.