Choosing a Mattress

You wouldn’t buy paint without knowing what kind you need for the job. The same goes for mattresses. It helps to know what you’re looking for before you go shopping. Just ask a few simple questions about your sleeping habits, and you’ll know what features you need to improve your sleep.



Dreaming of a new mattress?

First, do you prefer to sleep on your side, back or stomach? Why? David Bauman, U.S. mattress expert for IKEA , explains, “To be comfortable, your body must have healthy support for your back and body, while minimizing pressure points. So it’s important to get a mattress that supports your body according to your sleep position.” Back sleepers need a firm mattress for support. If you sleep on your side, your shoulders and hips need to be gently cradled by the mattress, so a plusher feel is the way to go. The stomach sleeper’s ideal mattress is not too firm (it doesn’t have enough give) and not too soft (an overly giving one arches the spine).

Next, think about body types. The heavier the person, the firmer their mattress should be. Lighter-weight sleepers will like a soft mattress since it won’t create pressure points at bony points such as the hips and shoulders.

Finally, do you normally feel warm or cool in bed? For warm or hot sleepers, a spring mattress allows air to circulate through its coils to keep you cool. A foam mattress, on the other hand, is a natural insulator, perfect for chilly sleepers.

Types of Mattresses

The right mattress can improve your sleep – and your life.  Mattresses have come a long way since the days of hay-stuffing!  Learning the differences between mattress types is a great first step toward better sleep.



"Princess and the Pea" Syndrome
at its worst! Do your research, and
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Spring

Still the most common type of mattress, innerspring mattresses use tempered steel coils in a variety of configurations to provide support while layers of upholstery provide insulation and cushioning. For side sleepers and couples, individually encased response coils provide better conformance and less motion transfer.

Foam

Foam mattresses are excellent for all ages and sleeping preferences because there are so many choices. Many are lightweight and come roll-packed, so they’re easy to take home. Some foam tends to trap heat, so if you’re a warm sleeper look for foam mattresses that are made of natural cotton or lyocell blend fabrics, and have lamb’s wool layers — all naturally derived fibers that wick away moisture to help maintain an even sleep temperature.

Latex

Prized for their resilience, latex mattresses are springy and conforming at the same time. They wick away moisture and heat from the body and regulate temperature well. Natural latex has many additional advantages, such as naturally anti-dust mite, anti-mold and anti-mildew qualities, hypo-allergenic qualities, and it is a chemical free bed that will does not off-gas.

Now it’s just a matter of matching your sleeping habits with the right mattress features. Visit the Better Sleep Council (http://www.bettersleep.org/ease/arm.asp) for more information on mattresses, sleep, and even the history of the bed!