Sleep Like a Baby...No, Really.

For several years now I’ve had serious misgivings about the mattress industry, and the type of bedding we use in the US.

I’ve never had a problem sleeping on the floor, or on a comfy couch, or outdoors.  In fact, I’ve usually found that I sleep much better on the floor than I do in most beds.  My favorite mattress ever was a cheapo discount mattress that was hard as a rock.

A few years ago, before I left Virginia, I bought myself a new mattress.  I figured I should have a nice bed to sleep in, so I paid out for a nice mattress, and a good platform frame.  After three months, the mattress had a huge sag in the middle.

I took it back, and they gave me a new one.  That was nice of them!

Six months later, that one was developing a sag as well.

Now, I don’t think I gain mass while I sleep, but I might.  My next mattress was out here in SF.  My girlfriend and I bought a California King.  It was GREAT!

Till my side turned into a saggy marshmallow.

When my girl and I split up, I realized what I’d done wrong.  I’d believed the hype!!!

I moved out of our old place, and left that old bed there.  I slept on the floor for a few weeks, but the floor by itself is rather unforgiving.  So off I went to the local futon shop.

They hooked me up!  For less than $200 they gave me a simple pine futon frame, and a nice, thick, firm futon mattress.  It feels like sleeping on a soft floor.  Very nice!

The other things I left behind were my pillows.  I’ve had a Chinese pillow full of flax husks for five or six years now.  Why not just use that as my pillow?!

It worked great.  Till last night, that is.

Last night, I slept without a pillow.

And I realized something.

Ever see a baby sleep, or see a picture of a sleeping baby?

It looks like this:

Awww! Wook at da widdle bay-beeeee!

or like this:

Sweepy

Notice anything?

THEY DON’T HAVE PILLOWS!

I felt very strange when I woke up and realized I hadn’t used a pillow all night.  But then I wondered, why had I used a pillow for so long?

And why do people spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on mattresses when my futon seemed to be doing the trick for less than $200?

I don’t know.  Do you?