Objective

Understand common sleep disorders, their effects on sleep quality, and how mattresses can support customers with specific sleep challenges.

Bullet Point Curriculum

• Common Sleep Disorders and Their Symptoms:
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):
    • Symptoms: Snoring, gasping, frequent awakenings due to blocked airways.
    • Health Risks: Increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and daytime fatigue.
  • Insomnia:
    • Symptoms: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early.
    • Causes: Stress, irregular schedules, poor sleep environments.
  • Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS):
    • Symptoms: An uncontrollable urge to move the legs, often causing nighttime discomfort.
    • Impact: Frequent sleep disruptions and difficulty reaching deep sleep stages.
  • Circadian Rhythm Disorders:
    • Symptoms: Misaligned sleep-wake cycles (e.g., night shift workers or delayed sleep phase).
    • Impact: Difficulty falling asleep or waking at desired times.
  • Parasomnias:
    • Symptoms: Unusual behaviors during sleep, like sleepwalking, night terrors, or talking in sleep.
    • Impact: Fragmented sleep for both the affected individual and their partner.
• How Sleep Disorders Affect Restorative Sleep:
  • Disorders disrupt deep (N3) and REM sleep, which are critical for physical restoration, emotional health, and memory consolidation.
  • Fragmented sleep caused by disorders leads to daytime fatigue and reduced cognitive function.
• Mattress Features for Supporting Sleep Disorders:
  • Motion Isolation: Reduces disruptions from tossing and turning or parasomnia-related movements.
  • Pressure Relief: Eases discomfort for individuals with RLS or chronic pain associated with sleep disorders.
  • Temperature Regulation: Helps manage night sweats or overheating, common in parasomnias or OSA.
  • Durability: Ensures long-term support and comfort for individuals with chronic sleep issues.
• Improving Sleep Environments for Those with Sleep Disorders:
  • Optimize the bedroom with blackout curtains, white noise, and temperature control (18-21°C / 64-69°F).
  • Pair a supportive mattress with ergonomic pillows and breathable bedding.
• How RSAs Can Help Customers with Sleep Disorders:
  • Ask customers about their primary sleep challenges (e.g., snoring, discomfort, or light sleep).
  • Recommend mattress features that directly address their needs (e.g., cooling technology for OSA, motion isolation for restless sleepers).

Table Format Curriculum

Topic	Learning Objectives	Key Points	Sales Application
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)	Recognize symptoms and impacts	- Symptoms: Snoring, gasping, frequent awakenings. - Health risks: Heart disease, high blood pressure, fatigue.	Recommend supportive mattresses for side-sleeping to alleviate symptoms, plus motion-isolating designs for less partner disturbance.
Insomnia	Understand causes and effects of insomnia	- Causes: Stress, irregular schedules, poor environments. - Impact: Difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to fatigue and irritability.	Highlight mattresses with pressure relief and comfort-enhancing features to help customers relax and fall asleep more easily.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)	Recognize symptoms and challenges	- Symptoms: Urge to move legs, discomfort disrupting sleep.	Suggest pressure-relieving mattresses and weighted blankets for reducing leg discomfort and promoting relaxation.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders	Understand sleep-wake misalignment	- Examples: Night-shift work, delayed sleep phase. - Impact: Difficulty aligning sleep patterns with daily schedules.	Emphasize mattresses that improve comfort for non-traditional sleep schedules, helping customers get restorative sleep regardless of timing.
Parasomnias	Learn how parasomnias affect sleep quality	- Symptoms: Sleepwalking, night terrors, talking in sleep. - Impact: Fragmented, disrupted sleep.	Recommend motion-isolating mattresses and temperature-regulating bedding to minimize disturbances and promote better rest for affected households.
Mattress Features	Learn which mattress features support customers with sleep disorders	- Motion isolation, pressure relief, cooling technology, durability.	Tailor mattress recommendations based on specific sleep disorder symptoms to provide targeted comfort and support.