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Sleep. A simple, 5-letter word without which no one is able to function. According to the American Sleep Association, infants need about 16 hours of sleep per day; teenagers need about 9 hours of sleep while adults need about 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day. Do you know how much sleep I get week days? Less than 6 hours. On weekends? Less than 7.

In actuality, I was quite okay with that until I read this report. USA Today reports that about 63 percent of Americans get less than 8 hours of sleep on average. Aside from causing a barrage of health issues including heart problems, weight gain, depression and diabetes, sleep deprivation has also been linked to aging.  What you talkin’ about Willis?

According to research, lack of sleep impairs cytokine production which are proteins that help fight disease and infection. When cytokine levels drop, people become more susceptible to illness which results in accelerated aging.

Photo by SleepNumber.com

So what does this mean? Getting adequate sleep plays a vital role in how we function ona day to day basis and has many benefits which is why I jumped at the chance to review the Sleep Number p6. You’ve seen the infomercials and heard the testimonials. Frankly, I only half-believed what I heard. Some call it skepticism. I call it thinking for myself.

You’ve read my past reviews and I’m a “prove it to me” kid of gal. So, when the opportunity arose to review the bed, I thought to myself ”I wonder what I’ll say when this Sleep Number thing fails?” Yes, I admit it. I didn’t buy into the whole “pick your sleep number” hoop la. Today, however, I’m an absolute believer! Here’s what changed my mind.

My mattress was old. Not as old as my 14-year-old son but probably close to it. It was comfortable or so I thought. Sure, I’d wake up with aching hips from sleeping on my side for too long or the sporadic pain in my back. For the most part, I thought I slept well. Until I got the Sleep Number p6.

The set up took less than 15 minutes and the guide book was easy to read and user friendly. Next, I consulted the Sleep Number Facebook page for insights and some quick best practices. Most people set their mattress firmness between 30 and 65. I opted to start with 30. The next night I did 55 and finally landed on 40. After two weeks, I’ve settled on 45, that’s my Sleep Number. So, what’s that mean?

Photo by SleepNumber.com

It means my mattress conforms to my body’s unique shape and curves. It means my mattress works with my body type, weight and height, not against them. It means I get a good night’s sleep, just about every night. And it’s not just me. My teens took turns setting their Sleep Number and they loved it! My daughter is 65 and my son is 30. Thank goodness for dual-sided settings. Lastly, it means I can sleep on my side without sore hips. I can lay on back without waking up with a stiff neck and it means I wake up with energy to spare.

A few tips to the wise. Unzip the pillow top mattress to allow the inner foam linings to air out for a few hours. It’ll help get rid of the new factory smell. You can also add a few dryer sheets to the foam liner. Also, the air pump will need a power source. A power strip is recommended. Lastly, prepare to enjoy some of the best sleep you’ve ever had. Sleeping in a Sleep Number p6 may result in ringing alarm clocks being tossed across bedrooms or sudden malfunctioning snooze buttons. But that’s just what I heard…err…uhh…on Facebook. Yeah, that’s it.

If you’re thinking about getting a new mattress that will aid you in getting the sleep you want and the sleep your body deserves, Sleep Number is the way to go. If the Sleep Number p6 can make a believer out of a skeptic like me, just think what it can do for you!

Disclaimer: I received a Sleep Number p6 Queen sized bed as part of a review campaign on Sleep Health. The opinions are 100% percent my own.