Getting a good night’s sleep depends on a lot of different factors — comfort, stress level, room temperature – but to get it right, you’ve got to start with the basics and your mattress is the first building block to a restful slumber.
If you’re in the market for a new mattress and have recently taken a stroll down the aisle of a bedding store, you know that there is a dizzying array from which to choose. How do you know which mattress is best for you?
Generally speaking, one type or brand of bed isn’t better than another, Look Younger, Lose Weight, and Feel Great Through Better Sleep. But he does find that a firmer bed seems to be better for people with lower back pain.
In fact, researchers in Spain studied people with long-term back pain and found that on a 10-point hard-to-soft scale people who slept on a medium-to-firm mattress (5.6 on the scale) had less back pain than those who slept on a softer mattress.
Time for a New Mattress
How do you know if the bed you’re sleeping on is the right one?
“If you wake up in the morning and have some low back pain and can stretch and get rid of it in 15 or 30 minutes, that means you’re on an inappropriate mattress for you.”
The right mattress, on the other hand, is one on which you feel no pressure, almost like you’re floating in the air. If you’re looking for a new mattress, experts suggest testing it in the store and laying down on each mattress in the position in which you normally sleep. We suggest spending at least 15 minutes on the bed. The more you can replicate the way you’ll be sleeping on the mattress once you get it home, the better your chances of picking the right one.
Understanding the variation of Materials and Technology
Innerspring mattresses are still by far the most widely used. They support you with coil springs, and in most built today, each coil is individually enclosed. This helps the bad weather years of use and prevents the coils from popping out of the mattress. On top of the coils are a wide variety of materials added for comfort, from pillow to latex to memory foam. It’s all a matter of preference.
There are plenty of innerspring mattresses on the market from which to choose. They range in firmness, the fluffiness of the pillow top, and in price to fit nearly every preference and pocketbook.
For someone who is overweight, spring mattresses may offer a firmer support, making them easier to get in and out of. Firmer versions are good for people with back pain. But spring-based mattresses can be comfortable for almost anyone.
Memory foam mattresses are growing in popularity. They are made of layers of different densities of foam that respond to weight and temperature and are known for comfort because they contour to the specific shape of your body.
By molding to the shape of your body as your weight shifts through the night, memory foam reduces pressure points and relieves pain. Memory foam also absorbs movement, so if you sleep with a partner, you’re not likely to be disturbed by his tossing and turning.
Latex mattresses are made from either natural or synthetic rubber and are known for providing a very firm, bouncy support that is uniform throughout the bed.
Quite frankly, one of the best materials is latex, being very firm and supportive and also for providing comfort similar to memory foam. Unlike the memory foam mattresses, latex ultimately providing more support.
Adjustable beds are able to bend and elevate at varying angles. As a result, the mattress has to be flexible. Different types of mattresses can be used on an adjustable bed – memory foam, latex for example. Spring mattresses are more difficult to use, however, because the springs don’t handle the bending well.
It is also suggested adjustable beds for people with hip or back pain who have a hard time moving from a lying position to sitting up or standing.
Time to part With Your Old Mattress
Today’s mattresses are made to last a lifetime. But you probably shouldn’t plan on keeping yours for that long. Our bodies change over time as we age, so the mattress that was once a joy to sleep on may no longer feel comfortable a few years down the road.
In addition, mattresses collect dust mites, fungus, and other germs and bacteria that can exacerbate allergies and impact your sleep patterns. It’s recommended every 5-6 years or earlier, it’s time to think about buying a new bed.
Recent studies have shown that sleeping in a new quality mattress does more for your health than you are probably aware. A new and suitable bed not only improves sleep quality but also works to reduce stress.
The best bed for you is the one that feels most comfortable. And remember, “There’s no mattress that’s going to save your body when you get only five hours of sleep.” In order to feel your best, you need to get enough rest… no matter what type of mattress you’re sleeping on.