A good night’s sleep can have a huge impact on your daily life and your long term well-being. After all, we do spend one third of our time sleeping and resting.
There are many reasons why a good sleep is important. It helps improve concentration, focus and memory abilities, lowers stress levels, improves the immune system and helps in our emotional well-being.
On the flip side, not getting adequate sleep is associated with numerous risk factors such as depression, weight issues, loss of sex drive and chronic health problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
However, how well you sleep is as important as fulfilling the 8-hour a day sleep quota. And the most obvious way to ensure that you are well-rested after waking up is to make certain that you are sleeping on the right mattress.
Your mattress plays a key role in your sleep and health. This is why it is paramount that you buy the best mattress that is ideal for your body type.
Below we have outlined the basic factors that you need to consider in order to purchase the right mattress for you.
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Different Mattresses For Different Conditions
There are many different kinds of mattresses and the right pick for you depends on two primary details; your personal preference and any pre-existing condition such as back pain or joint pain for which you need to consider the type of mattress you plan to invest in.
Innerspring or Coil Mattress
The innerspring mattress is the most common type of mattress on the market. It consists of steel coils that come in four different types, namely pocketed coil or the pocket spring mattress, continuous coil or the open spring mattress, offset coil and bonnell coil.
This is a relatively cheaper option with fantastic edge support and is great for hot sleepers due to its air circulation. However, due to its lack of movement isolation and less supportive nature, it is not ideal for those who are looking for support for their pressure points.
Memory Foam Mattress
The modern memory foam mattress has the ability to mould according to your body shape, which makes it ideal for those who want enhanced comfort and support for their spine. It responds very well to pressure points and is a great option for people suffering from back or joint pain. It is also recommended for those looking for movement isolation.
It is, however, not recommended for those who sleep hot due to its decreased airflow. Additionally, it is likely to sag after a while and doesn’t offer great edge support.
Latex Mattress
This environmentally friendly mattress combines the best of both worlds: the bounce and cooling of an innerspring mattress and the comfort of a memory foam mattress. This means that latex mattress are a smart option for those looking for improved spinal alignment and pain relief. And since a latex mattress is made from natural latex, it is hypoallergenic and the best bet for people with allergies. Added to that, it is great for people in search of movement isolation.
The downside is that they can be expensive and quite heavy to move around. Added to that, just like memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses tend to emit off-gassing odors that may be unpleasant. The problem can be solved by simply airing out the mattress.
Hybrid Mattress
As the name suggests, this type of mattress combines different elements of spring, foam and latex mattresses to maximise their benefits. It is ideal for pressure and pain relief, provides good air circulation and have considerable motion isolation.
Although hybrid mattresses are an all rounder in providing a balanced sleep for users, they can be heavy on the pocket.
Adjustable Mattress
This type of mattress is recommended for people who have medical conditions that require them to frequently adjust their bed. Since adjustable mattresses have the ability to vary elevation, they are not only beneficial for those suffering from back pain, but also help people who have snoring problems.
This type of mattress may be expensive to purchase. It may also need professional maintenance due to its adjustable properties.
What To Consider When Buying A Mattress
There are certain factors that you may need to consider when buying a mattress. First off, it is critical that you conduct a thorough research to choose the ideal mattress for your sleep wellness. Also, be prepared to splash a little on a good mattress as they last an average 7-10 years.
Mattress Size
The perfect mattress size really depends on your preference, whether you have a partner, and your bedroom size. Below are the basic measurements for your reference:
- Twin – 38” x 75”
- Twin XL – 38” x 80”
- Full – 53” x 75”
- Queen – 60” x 80”
- King – 76” x 80”
- California King – 72” x 84”
Firmness
The firmness of a mattress is one of the most critical features for sleeping well. For firmness, it is important that you consider your body weight and sleeping position when deciding on what is right for you.
Keep in mind that different companies have subjective ratings assigned for mattress firmness. This means that what may be rated as soft for some may be medium for others. Therefore, it is important that you actually try out the mattress – more on that later.
A soft mattress is good for people who want to literally sink into their mattress, allowing it to hug the different parts of the body. It is ideal for lightweight people and side sleepers as it provides adequate comfort and pressure.
A medium soft mattress is great for all types of sleepers because while it allows for great pressure relief, it doesn’t let the body completely sink into the mattress. It offers enhanced support for those looking for superior body contour.
A medium firm mattress is the most commonly sought after category for mattress firmness. This is because they are great for back, stomach and side sleepers alike. They also help with back pain, provide support and pain relief, and can be used by medium to heavy weight people.
A firm mattress is ideal for those looking for enhanced spinal support. It is suggested for people who are looking for comfort for chronic back pain, and works great for stomach and back sleepers. It is also a common option for heavyweight individuals.
As a rule of thumb, lightweight people should opt for a soft, medium soft to medium mattress. Average weight people should buy a medium soft, medium to medium firm mattress. While heavyweight people should invest in a medium firm to firm mattress.
Trial Run
Before buying a mattress, make sure that you take it for a test drive. Most mattress companies allow you to take the mattress for a 30 day trial period while some even allow for a 100 day period. This is important for you to decide on the mattress because it lets you get the feel of it.
Be sure to carefully read the terms and conditions, the warranty and return policies for your mattress. These can come in handy incase you want to exchange or lodge a complaint.
Conclusion
A good mattress can make all the difference in the world. It’s importance in the upkeep of your health should not be understated.
Keep in mind that once you buy a mattress, you should also take care of it. Simple steps such as airing it out regularly, changing the sheets every week, flipping it every six months and covering it with a mattress protector can really make it last long.
Author bio: Lakshmi Iazanas
Lakshmi is an inspired content creator who switched passions from a career in interior design in order to work whilst travelling the world. A co-founder of CopyThat, a bespoke content creation studio, she focuses on putting into words the often complex and colourful thoughts of her interior and design focused clients. As one of Munich’s newest residents, Lakshmi enjoys hunting down culinary revelations whilst trying not to confuse her der/die/das’ in the local tongue.
