Serta adds consumer education to Web site
By David Perry -- Furniture Today, September 15, 2003
Itasca, Ill. — Bedding maker Serta has added a consumer-focused educational department to its Web site called Serta Comfort U, supported by a sleep expert.
Dr. Joyce Walsleben, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the New York University School of Medicine, worked with Serta to develop the department.
Serta, which is on the Web at www.serta.com, calls its online resource center a one-stop shop with sleep-related information and advice to help consumers sleep well night after night. Among the topics it tackles: The importance of dreams.
"Serta Comfort U is part of our ongoing mission to help consumers get a better night's sleep each night," said Kally Reynolds, Serta's director of communications. "We will update Serta Comfort U regularly to give consumers the latest sleep-related news."
Comfort U is based on what the producer said is the best sleep and dream information available today, including the results of Serta's 2003 national sleep survey, "Americans Wake Up To Sleep Loss." According to the survey, Americans average only 6.5 hours of sleep a night, far less than researchers say people need to be at their best.
On average, survey respondents reported they get at least an hour less sleep each night than they need. Yet 49% said they get enough sleep to feel rested the next morning.
"As a general rule, sleep-deprived people think they are performing better than they actually are in all kinds of testing situations," said Walsleben. "In reality, a tired person finds it far more difficult to concentrate and remember than someone who is well rested."
Summer temperatures prevented over half (55%) of survey respondents from getting a good night's sleep. Another 23% admitted that increased activity, daylight hours and an uncomfortable sleeping environment also play a role in their sleeping problems during the summer.
"Americans are more time-crunched than ever before, and summer only makes it worse," said Walsleben. "Many people are too wound up to experience a comfortable, restful sleep when they go to bed. They need practical, easy-to-access information to help them do that. And that's why Serta created Serta Comfort U."
The department features information from Walsleben, recent studies and surveys, including:
-
"Sleep — What Is It?" provides detailed research and information on why we sleep, the importance of sleep and its impact on mood, health and daily performance. This section also features questions and answers with Walsleben and a sleep quiz.
-
"Dreams — Myths and Truths" examines the connection between dreaming and sleeping. It includes research on the importance of dreams and how to recall them, and has a dream Q&A with Walsleben and an interactive quiz.
-
"Seasonal Sleep" includes Walsleben's top 10 tips on how to sleep and beat the heat. She and Serta will update this section every season.
-
"Mattress" features 10 tips for enjoying your mattress. This section also includes myths and facts on mattresses through the ages.
-
"Serta Sleep Surveys" provide an overview on the sleep habits and attitudes of Americans. This section includes highlights of four annual surveys Serta has done since 2000.
-
"Ask the Doctor" gives visitors the chance to read Walsleben's personal sleep advice. Visitors can e-mail their questions to "Dr. W" at ask.drw@serta.com, and she will answer as many questions as time permits.
Serta Comfort U and Serta's 2003 survey results also offer insight into how dreams affect quality of sleep and life.
More than half of respondents said they seldom or never recall their dreams. And as people age, they remember fewer dreams. Sixty-seven percent of those 65 and older said they seldom or never recall their dreams, as opposed to 41% of those aged 18 to 24.
Regardless of age, most survey respondents (70%) said that dreams do not affect the quality of their lives. Research shows otherwise, according to the Serta site: Our dreams improve our ability to deal with emotions and unconscious thoughts and aid in problem-solving and learning.
