Choose the perfect mattress

If you are tossing and turning all night long, or waking up with aches and pains, it's time to buy a new mattress. With so many options to choose from, we offer tips of what mattress might be best for you.

 

 

 

 

A good night sleep is one of the most important things you can do to make sure you are living a healthy life, and sleeping on the proper mattress is the key to restful sleep.

 

Since a large proportion of your life is spent in bed it’s important to invest in the best mattress you can. But how do you buy a mattress that suits your sleep needs the best and what should you take into consideration when you buy a mattress?

Sleep therapists recommend replacing your mattress every 7 to 10 years, while other studies indicate that this may not be the most accurate time frame. One study revealed that people who switch their mattress every 5 years sleep significantly better and have less back and other body pain. Whatever time frame you choose, there are reasons why you would want to replace your mattress sooner for a better night’s sleep, and in some cases, better overall health.

 

 

 

SHOULD YOU REPLACE A MATTRESS SOONER?

 

Aches and pains on waking

When getting up in the morning is downright painful in your back and body, it might be time to replace that mattress.​

 

Tossing and turning

If you struggle to find a comfortable position at night, or you can never seem to find a good position to fall asleep in, you are probably in need of a new mattress.  A mattress and bed should be inviting and relaxing. This helps you drift off to a deep, refreshing sleep.

 

Congested at night

If you feel congested at night and it's not due to a cold or other known airborne allergies, it is probably time to replace your mattress. Your mattress could be a breeding ground for bacteria and other unpleasant things like dust mites.

 

Not enough support

As you age, your body’s needs for support for your back and body changes. Once you are over the age of 40, it is recommended you switch your mattress every 7 - 8 years to support aging joints and muscles.

Whether your mattress has reached its recommended replacement time or you find that one of the above reasons describes your situation, it is time to replace your current mattress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT MATTRESS

 

Hardness

You may have heard that sleeping on a firm surface really helps with back pain. The truth is, what’s best for the back is firm support, not a firm surface. This may seem like a subtle difference. But support in a mattress should focus on pressure points and other areas that need to be supported. How firm or soft a mattress is is usually measured on a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being the firmest version and 10 being the softest.​

Your body weight, shape and size are all important considerations when shopping for the right mattress. In general the heavier you are the thicker and firmer a mattress you need. Larger people generally need a mattress that is at least 25cm thick, with at least a medium firm support. Smaller people don’t require as thick a mattress or as supportive of a sleeping surface.

 

 

This type of mattress uses a steel coil pocket support system wrapped in fabric. Manufacturers offer several different types of spring systems. These systems include units with springs connected into a single unit and individually wrapped pocketed coils.
Padding and secondary coils may cover this innerspring system. The type and amount of padding can vary.

Cons: Coils may cause pressure points or aggravate existing aches and pains. If not turned or rotated regularly, chances are one area of the mattress will wear out quicker than others, leading to areas that sag.

 

 

 Memory foam, or polyurethane foam, is made up of billions of little air filled cells that decompress when pressure and heat are applied to them. When you lie down on a memory foam mattress, the foam cells closest to your body slowly release their air. This creates a melting effect as the mattress slowly starts to conform to the shape of your body. Similarly, when you get up, the foam cells slowly refill with air. This is where the term ‘memory’ came from as it takes a few minutes for the mattress to return to its normal shape.

Cons: A foam mattress tends to retain heat and more research needs to be done on the amount of support provided by a memory foam mattress.

 

 

Gel mattresses use foam mattress technology but infuse gel into the foam’s support system. The gel foam gives sleepers a different support, feel and heat dissipation features. The gel is made into little beads that are evenly distributed into the foam during manufacturing. This creates a cell structure that allows air movement and flow while you sleep, allowing for a cooler sleeping environment.

Cons: A gel mattress can be expensive and further research needs to be done on the lifespan of this type of mattress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adequate frame support

While not a part of the mattress itself, the box-spring under the mattress is a large part of the overall quality and feel of the bed. The larger the mattress, the more support it needs. A king size bed will require two centre supports whereas a queen would require only one.

 

POINTS TO CONSIDER:

Your mattress should come with a warranty. The type of warranty says a lot about the company you are buying from and the quality of the mattress itself. If the manufacturer has enough faith in it’s mattress to offer full money back for a long period of time, you are probably getting a better quality mattress.

Not every mattress is good for everyone and not everyone shares what you believe is the best option in terms of mattress. Some reasons come down to preference, such as size, others come down to price, but some of the most important reasons come down to what’s best for your health.

If you have a health condition, one of the first things you need to consider is what your doctor or physical therapist has to say. They may be able to narrow down your choices to a few of the best options that fit your particular health needs.

The best mattress is not likely the first one you look at. Depending on your exact needs, it may not even be in the first store you shop at. Don’t let anyone convince you there are only limited options available.

Test out a mattress before you buy - try laying for about 10 to 15 minutes. Anything less than this does not give you much of a chance to see how the mattress really feels. If you have a partner you regularly share the bed with, you should lie with your partner.

The best thing to do is shop for the best quality at the best value. Look for sales and cheaper prices on the same quality mattress, don’t buy cheap, poor quality mattresses.​

Adapted from article on nestmaven.