It may sound strange to consider, but having a good mattress is essential to you getting a good night’s rest, aside from additional factors that affect your sleep habits such as the room temperature and stress levels. In fact, a good mattress is more important than you might think, even though you are taking it for granted because it seem like a ‘given’.
There are few things that can ruin your sleep quality than sleeping on uncomfortable surfaces. You do not want to wake up in the morning with a stiff back, shoulders or neck. If you happen to be in the market for a new mattress and looking at reviews such as the sleep number reviews, you will want to know what makes certain types better than others. In this article, we look at the factors to consider when searching for one, and make a choice you will not regret.
What To keep In Mind
It is important to remember that the aim of the mattress is maintaining a neutral positioning of your body, which means it keeps your spine in its optimal curvature and aligns your limbs properly.
If it is too hard, it removes proper alignment and you wake up feeling stiffness throughout the body. If it is too soft, then all your pressure points have poor support, and you will wake up feeling aches.
You might decide to shop for one online or offline, but remember:
- If you are planning on going the traditional route of buying a mattress that allows you to see variety, then the offline method is best. However, it can be quite overwhelming when you have no idea what to look for, and it is difficult to compare prices.
- If you want to remove the hassle of offline mattress shopping and the confusion that may come with it, then online shopping is the best option. The only disadvantage is that you have to deal with your old mattress, and set up the new one on your own.
If you have pain in your lower back after waking up, forcing to stretch to remove it, then it is time to replace it as it is not doing you any favors. The right one should feel as if you are floating in the air, not a stiff or achy feeling.
Types Of Mattresses
When shopping for a mattress, you will likely come across three types – adjustable, foam, and innerspring. None of them is better than the other, although it is interesting to note that foam mattresses are increasing in popularity, especially when you shop online.
Here is a rundown of each:
In-spring Mattresses
These are traditionally the most common type of mattress. They give your body support through inner coil springs, and the structure of the coil depends on when the mattress was manufactured – many today have coils that are enclosed individually.
The benefit of using this type is its durability. The coils allow it to withstand very many years of use, and the enclosed coils will not pop out of the mattress and ruin your sleeping experience. Additionally, they are very comfortable, as there is a range of materials that are added. These include memory foam, latex and cotton, and you can choose whatever you want depending on what you like.
They are also very affordable, although you need to be very careful to avoid the cheapest ones you might see. The cheaper it is, the less it is likely to give your back sufficient support.
One thing to note here is that your comfort in using these mattresses does not depend on the number of coils it has – contrary to what many salespeople will tell you.
Air Mattresses
These look like an innerspring mattress. However, they do not use springs – instead they use chambers that are full of air, and the entire mattress is covered with a foam layer.
These top rated plush mattresses are best for a patient, who has injuries to their spinal cord, as this forces them to lie in bed for long periods and they need extra support and comfort. The good news is that they are easily adjustable, so that they do not press on specific areas of the body (and therefore reduce the chances of skin breakdown).
However, you need to make the bed firm enough – otherwise, they will pop on one side and become uncomfortable.
Foam Mattresses
These are steadily increasing in popularity among many people, likely due to their ability to respond to temperature and weight changes. They consist of many foam layers of different densities, and they can contour to fit your specific body shape – making them very comfortable. You can also get plenty of memory foam toppers.
Since they mold themselves to your body while you sleep throughout the night, they can relieve any pressure points you have, and reduce any pain. Their structure also allows them to absorb movement, so you are likely to sleep soundly even if a partner is tossing and turning, for instance.
However, they also have a big disadvantage. The biggest complaint many people raise with them is their temperature retention. Since they are extremely sensitive to temperature changes, even from your body, they can make you feel very hot at night when you are trying to sleep.
In addition, they can begin to emit unpleasant smells if you do not air them regularly or when they happen to be moist – and that means removing all your beddings and taking the mattress outside to get some sunshine.
Latex Mattresses
They consist of either synthetic or natural rubber. They also give very good levels of support, as they are bouncy and firm throughout the bed surface.
In fact, latex is among the best materials, and the level of comfort is quite similar to memory foam. However, it will not conform to your body, instead pushing back and giving your body plenty of support.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right mattress for you requires plenty of considerations and looking at different types to pick the best one to fit your needs.