How To Choose the Right Mattress

Written by Administrator | Wednesday, 01 April 2009 09:58

How to Choose the Right Mattress

Good health and sleep are closely linked. Just as we improve our eating habits for better health, we should also improve our sleep habits. Sleep debt is a costly problem in our society, both fiscally and physically. Four out of five people suffer from back pain -- running a close second to the common cold as the most frequent cause of lost work time -- and studies show we are not as productive or safe when we do not get enough rest.

Sleep should be a priority and not just a negotiable need that is determined by our busy schedules. A good night's sleep not only lessens your chance of a costly back problem, but helps to prepare you for a more productive, more alert and safer day.
Poor sleep and back problems are like the chicken and the egg theory. Which came first? Are backaches the cause of lack of sleep or does lack of sleep cause back problems. Both may be helped with the right mattress.

The lower back or lumbar region is the most common area for back pain because it bears the wear and tear of bending, stooping, sitting and lifting. A good mattress supports the back and allows the muscles to rest and rejuvenate during sleep. Experts recommend mattresses that offer superior support without being too hard. The bottom line is: The right mattress is very important to your overall health.

The Biggest Mattress Myth

The old adage "hard is better" is truly a myth. No single sleep surface is right for everyone. Such variables as body temperature, sleep position and lighting should be taken into account. Mattresses come in plush, pillowtop, ultra plush, ultra plush pillowtop, firm and cushion firm.
And all these comfort levels are just that -- comfort levels.
The Comfort level of a mattress is different from the support level. Support level has to do with the coil count and coil construction. The proper support may be achieved in all of the different comfort levels.
Depending on whether you are a stomach, side or back sleeper (or a combination) will determine the comfort level at which you will sleep better and longer. And that is the ultimate goal.

It is important to find a mattress with edge guard because it gives you more mattress surface on which to sleep. You might as well use all of it since you are paying for all of it!

Everyone has natural curves in their back. Usually, the harder the surface, the more the back has to drop out of its natural alignment to meet the mattress. The optimal mattress has enough padding to support your back without allowing it to drop out of its natural alignment. A plush mattress with good support will do just that.

There have been many advancements in mattress manufacturing over the last few years. Many mattresses are designed by orthopedic doctors to provide the proper support and comfort level to keep you properly aligned all night long.

Value

Most people spend almost one-third of their lives sleeping. What else do you do for that amount of time that so profoundly affects the other two-thirds of your life?

We think nothing of spending $600 to $700 on a couch that comes with a one-year warranty and that, if you are lucky, will last five years. But many people think that it is appalling to spend $600 to $700 on a new queen mattress that comes with a 10-year nonprorated warranty and will easily last that 10 years. That same mattress, if picked properly, will give you many nights of great sleep and, ultimately, better days, too.
People will pay up to 40 percent more for a new car than they did a decade ago; yet that same person expects to pay the $299.99 prices of a decade ago when it comes to buying a new mattress. Value is relative, but when you think of using an item every day, 365 days a year for 10 years, a good-quality mattress for $700 or so is costing you a little less than 22 cents per day.

Shopping for the best value doesn't mean finding the lowest price. Bargain bedding is no bargain when it comes to getting a good night's sleep. Today's mattresses have many price points to meet everyone's pocket book.

Bottom line: If you aren't satisfied with your current bedding and sleep comfort, there is a proper support mattress out there in your price range. Remember that how you sleep at night generally determines how you will feel for the rest of the day.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 April 2009 22:43