Sleep is essential for our mental as well as physical well-being. As we sleep, the body tries to undo the effect of stress that it was subjected to during the day. One wakes up, feeling refreshed, and full of energy, to carry out the daily tasks. This is the reason, why sleep deprivation affects one’s energy levels and leaves one highly irritable and fatigued. While sleep deprivation may be linked to stress or other medical causes, it’s possible that the mattress you have been sleeping on, maybe the reason why you have trouble falling asleep. Sleeping on a hard mattress can certainly cause your muscles to become sore. So, if you keep tossing and turning at night, and wake up with a stiff back, it’s time you take a look at your old mattress. If it looks worn out, you need to head out to the market to buy a new one. People who are already suffering from back problems, need to be even more careful while choosing a new mattress. Wondering what to look for in a new mattress? Well, the market is flooded with various brands, and you need to do a little research before you buy a new mattress. Given below is some information that may help you make the right decision.
Types of Mattresses
Based on the filling material, mattresses are broadly classified into innerspring mattresses, memory foam, and latex foam mattresses. Water beds and inflatable air mattresses are also available in the market, but these are not as popular as the spring or foam mattresses. The attributes that one must look for include durability, flexibility, and resilience. These depend on the support system of the mattress. Cotton, wool, coir fiber, and various types of foam are the most commonly used mattress fillings. The innerspring mattresses have an internal spring system that provides support. Open-ended springs, continuous coil springs, and pocket springs are some of the spring systems that are used in these mattresses. The durability of these mattresses depends on a variety of factors. These include the number of springs used, the gauge of wire, and the arrangement of springs within the mattress. The thickness of the padding layer i.e used for covering the spring system has a great impact on the comfort of the mattress.
Memory foam mattress is another type of mattress which is made from visco-elastic foam. This material is heat and weight-sensitive. The foam gets softened by the body’s heat and contours itself according to one’s body shape. The density of the foam along with the depth of the mattress are the factors that must be considered while buying a memory foam mattress. Latex mattress is another type of mattress that is fast gaining popularity. Sap extracted from the rubber trees is used as the filling in these mattresses. These mattresses also conform to body shape. These are hypoallergenic in nature and work well for people who are susceptible to allergies.
How to Shop for a New Mattress?
Wondering how to buy a new mattress and what to look for in a new mattress? Let me give you some useful tips on buying a new mattress. Well, it’s extremely important to be aware of the attributes of a good mattress, but there are some aspects that must be considered. Sleeping posture is one important aspect that must be taken into account. The thickness and texture of the mattress are extremely important as well. Gone are the days, when hard mattresses were thought of as good for one’s back. These days, medium-firm mattresses, which are neither too hard nor too soft, are considered to be the best for back sleepers. The best mattress is the one that provides comfort and also facilitates the alignment of the spine. Since the spine is not straight, it’s important that the mattress supports the body along its curves. Both hard, as well as soft mattresses, don’t provide the required support as well as alignment of the spine for back-sleepers.
Those who sleep on their sides would benefit from using a soft mattress, whereas stomach sleepers can opt for a firm mattress. Out of the various types of mattresses that are available in the market, the spring mattresses have lost out to memory foam or latex mattresses in competition. Foam mattresses have emerged as a preferred choice. While buying a foam mattress, you must take into account the mattress depth, thickness of the padding, the fabric used for padding, and the density of the foam. The density of foam must be between 4 to 6 lb. This means that a cubic foot of foam must weight between 4 to 6 pounds. If the density is less, the mattress may lose its resilience. Also, make sure that you buy the right-sized mattress. Before you buy a mattress, lie down on it to see if it’s comfortable enough. Buy it only if it feels comfortable and also provides support to the spine.
These were some tips on what to look for in a new mattress. Not only would you be shelling out your hard-earned money on a mattress, but you would also be sleeping on it for many years to come. Choosing the right mattress is extremely important as this has a lot to do with your chance of getting peaceful and restorative sleep at night. It’s always better to be well-informed, rather than making a purchase while being clueless about the attributes of a good mattress.
