The New Luxury Of Sleep

The New Luxury of Sleep

Two people lying close together can keep each other warm.

Ecclesiastes 4:11

Not so many years ago, women’s magazines encouraged readers to set the alarm half an hour earlier in order to find quiet time alone or to get more done. Dark raccoon circles under your eyes from too many short nights? Not to worry. The solution became, not more sleep, but artfully applied makeup known as “concealer.” Now the same publications are running headlines touting the value of sleep.

It seems sleep is in. It’s the new luxury—for those who have the time.

Capitalizing on the changing attitudes toward sleep, the Sealy Company is spending an estimated $20 million on print and television ads to emphasize the value of a good night’s sleep. It also wants to change its image from being a mattress company to that of a “sleep wellness provider.”

In many hotels, sleep has become the new status symbol. Westin advertises a “Heavenly Bed,” offering “layers of comfort and relaxation.” And certain Hilton Hotels feature “Sleep-Tight” rooms, complete with soundproofing, special drapes, and other sleep aids. A special promotion allowed guests in those rooms to even take their pillows home with them. And the corporate world also is beginning to catch on. A handful of companies now provide nap rooms, recognizing that a midday snooze can improve a worker’s alertness.

Truth be told, however, in marriage the perfect bed is not simply about sheets and pillows. It’s about the relationship of the husband and wife who sleep on them. It’s about the tone they set in the late night hours as they are dozing off to sleep, side by side. More important than the quality of the linens is the quality of the relationship. And the time we spend as a couple in bed talking about the residue of the day and our plans for tomorrow, our pillow talk, becomes some of the most important and precious moments in marriage.

The time you have for pillow talk—when you are by nature slowing down, breathing more deeply, and relaxing your muscles—should never be taken for granted. It’s too good an opportunity to be let go unnoticed. Did you know your pillow talk can dramatically determine your dreams? It can also influence how well you sleep and how you feel when you wake up in the morning. So don’t waste this time. Before you hit the hay tonight, take a moment to savor the change in your pace. Notice your body’s desire to lean into this antidote to stress and hurry. In a relaxed way, talk to each other about your busy day. What was your high and low? And check in with each other on how you can pray for the upcoming day.

Savor the time before you fall asleep. It’s the perfect time to rejoin your spirits.

Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.

—Thomas Dekker