Beds, Bedrooms and Sleep Habits From Around the World

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The layout of your bedroom. The style of your bed. The linens you use. The routine you follow. All of these could be and are in fact likely to be influenced by your culture. In South Africa, we are very much western in our sleeping ways. Few of us can say that we have “traditional” sleep styles.

But in other countries, such as Japan, there are still places where the people have followed their culture and incorporated it into the design and style of their sleeping space. And even though they might have western elements in their bedrooms, the traces of culture still linger, whether it is in the design of the bed or the layout of the room.

In this article, we are again travelling the world to look at how beds, sleep habits and even bedrooms, change according to culture.

Where on earth do you begin when you are looking for a new bed that will suit your style and your culture? These days, you’d think that there is a one size fits all type of bed that most people will buy. The basic frame along with a comfortable mattress is what most of us aim for, but what about those nations where there is a little more to it than just that?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”21957″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Japan

This is a nation of workaholics. To get to the top of the corporate ladder, many a Japanese person has cut back on sleep and put extra human attention into their work. You might have seen the innumerable images of Japanese people asleep on trains, in doorways or even in the middle of a takeaway meal at Mac Donald’s.

While no one could doubt the intense work ethic of the Japanese, we have to wonder just how they manage to do it all with so little sleep. Well, their secret is napping. Known as inemuri, which roughly translates to “being asleep while being present”, inemuri is a part of Japanese sleep culture and basically allows them to catch a few winks while on the job.

When they are not at work, the Japanese prefer to sleep on a traditional platform bed. These beds bring an air of minimalism to the bedroom and the bed can be made from wood, metal or bamboo.

Mexico

If you have ever tried to sleep in a hammock, and either ungracefully fell out or just could not get comfortable, you are not alone. Most of us picture the hammock and think about a glorious island getaway, but in Mexico, the hammock is the place to sleep. In the Yucatan Peninsula, hammocks have been used as beds since the colonial times and to this day many Mexicans in this area will prefer the hammock to a normal bed. Technically, there is no evidence to say that sleeping in a hammock is any better or any worse than sleeping in a more conventional bed.

So should you find yourself in Mexico one day, be sure to try out their traditional way of sleeping. You might enjoy it.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”34363″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Botswana

Ever hated life being so scheduled? Up at 6 am and back in bed by 9 pm dragging you down? Perhaps taking some inspiration from our neighbours will help. In places like Botswana, the schedule is for the birds and the people will sleep when they feel like it. Obviously, this sleeping style is not as common as we make it out to be, as Botswana is an up and coming African nation and the majority of the people are more than likely not doing this.

But those who do still practice this sleep method are benefitting from not getting sleep anxiety, something that can happen when you feel as though you are not going to sleep when you are meant to.

As a modern nation, you can expect to find beds similar in style to South African beds when visiting Botswana.

Indonesia

Ever heard of fear sleep? They certainly have in Indonesia because it is something that they are all too familiar with. Although the name makes it sound as though the people of Indonesia are afraid of sleep, it is far more complicated than that. Instead, when facing a stressful situation, they tend to fall asleep.

This very strange reaction to fear and stress is believed to be a cultural acquisition. They believe that by sleeping, their fear is reduced and they are better equipped to handle the situation.

As many parts of Indonesia are still rural, the people will generally sleep on a flat sleeping mat, directly on the floor.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”34364″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Spain

Spaniards are not the type to go to bed early, instead, they are the kind of people who start their evenings out well after 10 pm. Naturally, their sleep habits are inclined to include late nights. For those who visit Spain and head out to dinner at 8 pm, you are likely to have the whole restaurant mostly to yourself. By the time most tourists are heading off to bed, Spaniards are just starting their night on the town!

Unlike other countries in the world, Spain is mostly a nation of night owls. But when they do hit the hay, they sleep in conventional beds such as those you would find for sale in South Africa.

While we might sleep differently, depending on where we live in the world, there is one thing that we all have in common: we all need to have quality sleep. Without quality sleep, life can be unnecessarily difficult!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So if you are one of those who is not sleeping well, it’s time to look at your lifestyle as well as your bed. At The Mattress Warehouse, we have one of the biggest selections of beds for sale in South Africa. Transform your sleep by buying a new bed. You can order online, from one of the biggest selections of beds for sale in South Africa and we will deliver it to your home at no extra charge.

Buy a new bed and, regardless of your sleep habits, enjoy better quality sleep today!

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