A Comfy Bed and a Good Night’s Sleep ‘Could Improve Your Memory’

Forget where you left your car keys? Can’t remember your mother-in-law’s birthday? Don’t worry, just climb into bed.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, getting a good night’s sleep can significantly improve our memory and help us store away the day’s most important information for the future.

Researchers in Germany set up two experiments to test memory retrieval, with 191 volunteers participating. In the first, participants were asked to learn 40 pairs of words. They were then told to memorise sequences of finger taps and also played a card game in which they had to match pictures of animals and objects.

Immediately after carrying out the experiments, half of the people in both groups were told they would be tested on the tasks in ten hours time. Some of the participants - including those who did not know about the upcoming tests - were allowed to go to bed after the exercises.

The study’s results were extremely interesting.

As the researchers expected, those who slept before the tests performed better than those who didn’t. However, only the people who were both allowed to go to bed and told about the tests showed significant improvement in memory recall.

Lead author of the study Jan Born of the University of Lubeck said: “Our results show that memory consolidation during sleep indeed involves a basic selection process that determines which of the many pieces of the day’s information is sent to long-term storage.”

Gilles Einstein PhD, memory expert at Furman University, added: “These results suggest that sleep is critical to this memory enhancement.”

Commenting on the findings, Gary Robinson of Dreams stated: "The outcome of the experiment is hugely interesting, but not particularly surprising.

“We at Dreams don’t underestimate how positive an effect a great night’s sleep can have on our memory, health and mood, and we think everyone should consider these benefits when investing in new beds.”

Dreams is the UK’s leading bed specialist, with over 20 years’ experience in the industry and a passion for providing a great night’s sleep to its customers every night. Browse Dreams’ range of beds, mattresses, bedroom furniture and bedding for adults and kids by visiting: http://www.dreams.co.uk

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