Pretty Great Tips On Getting Your Next Favorite Mattress

I really enjoyed this article and thought you would too- it’s written very well and helps you sort out just what to look for when your old bed needs the old “heave ho.” You’ll see the pros and cons of some of the most popular types of mattresses these days. Hope you like it!

Time for a new mattress? You’ll know it when:

1. You awaken stiff, achy, tired, or in pain.
2. You have circles under your eyes, and it isn’t because you stayed out late.
3. Your mattress isn’t young anymore. It sags, droops, or the fabric is falling apart.
4. Your current mattress is over ten years old, or you bought it in a previous decade.

You see, like people, mattresses have a specific lifetime. After 5 years, an innerspring mattress just isn’t as supportive and clean as it used to be. It sags and fills up with bacteria and dust mites over time, which we think is pretty gross.

Shopping for a new mattress doesn’t have to be a pain. If you shop with a little savvy, a little shopping “know how,” the experience won’t even be a little overwhelming. For a few simple shopping tips that will make you an expert mattress buyer in no time, finding the perfect mattress for your needs with less than a modicum of fuss, keep on reading!

The first question you need to ask is: which mattress is best for you?

With so many mattress types to choose from, selecting a mattress can be a confusing process. The following guide will help you select the perfect type of mattress.

memory foam beds: specifically engineered based on modern NASA technology, these comfortable and allergy resistant (read: bug proof!) mattresses conform snugly to your body, delivering the most comfortable sleep.

Pros: memory foam beds are hypoallergenic and conform to support every curve of your body. They alleviate pressure points – such as the hips – and the average memory foam bed has an extra-long lifetime: upwards of 20 years.
Cons: memory foam mattresses are known to be warmer than other types. They may have a factory odor, depending on where they were made.

Innerspring mattresses: these are your “classic” mattresses, the traditional ones that support your body on a bed of wire coils.

Pros: Time tested, classic, relatively inexpensive, fairly dependable and easy enough to maintain.
Cons: These mattresses are incapable of evenly distributing body weight, which may lead to restless nights (especially when sleeping with a partner). They are hollow inside, save for the coils, so they are absolutely ideal living quarters for various bacteria, allergens, and dust mites (the infamous “bed bugs”).

Air Mattresses: These beds are highly affordable, lightweight, and portable. They can be inflated or deflated whenever you wish, making storage and space-saving a breeze.
Pros: easy to stow away, these air mattresses are feather light and are therefore great for campers, guests, and singletons. They sometimes come with small, electronically controlled air pockets, giving you improved dynamic control over your bed’s firmness.
Cons: This bed is filled with air and is easy to puncture, in many ways like a balloon or a bike tire. Air mattresses do not provide even support.

Water Mattresses: these artifacts from an earlier time are full of water and as such are particularly soft.
Pros: Soft for those who like it that way, newer models are more stable than their 1970s counterparts.
Cons: unfortunately, these beds weigh a ton, and they can get very cold; they should be avoided by persons who suffer from motion sickness or chronic back pain. If your partner tosses and turns in his sleep, it’s “surf’s up dude!”

Second: be comfortable.

If you get enough sleep, you’ll spend a third of your life in bed – so you’ll need a comfortable, supportive mattress. There are different layers of firmness available and a variety of mattresses that will all feel different.

The ideal mattress will keep your spine in the same alignment as a standing person with good posture. The wrong mattress will cause back pain. Mattresses that are far too soft, for example, will not give your back proper support, while mattresses that are far too firm will put too much pressure on your joints. Somewhere down the line you’ve likely heard that firm mattresses are better for your back, but this is a myth: the truth is that firmness is far less important than strong, even support. The trick of it is this: so long as your mattress allows for an even distribution of weight and pressure, it can be at any firmness level you want.

Take time to test out mattresses at a warehouse or in hotels to see how soft or firm you like them. Then get online and shop around for the best deals. Online shopping has a much wider selection than brick and mortar stores. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect firmness level for your body, consider buying a memory foam mattress with removable softness layers.

The third question you need to ask is: what’s my size?

Each and every unique mattress size will suit a unique need.

Standard twin, also known as single, mattresses are great for children, bunk beds, dorm rooms, and guest bedrooms. They measure 39” wide by 75” long, which probably won’t cut it for tall women and couples.

An alternative to the regular twin is the twin extra long mattress, adding 5” in length for those who need the room. Sheets may be a little more difficult to find, but should be readily available online.

Double or “full” mattresses allow significantly more room for moving, rolling, and stretching out. They measure 54” wide by 75” long, which may be short for some teens and adults. But for singles who find twin beds too crowded or uncomfortable, these are perfect fits.

Do you plan on sharing your bed with a partner? If so, you really shouldn’t consider anything smaller than a queen sized bed. These large beds measure about 60” in width by 80” in height, easily accommodating taller persons and couples who like to snuggle.

A king mattress may be the most expensive, but it allows the most room for anyone who really likes their space. King beds are different from other beds in their measurement variations, so you’ll need to consider whether you’re more interested in a long bed or a wide bed. There are two types of king mattresses:

The standard king mattress (sometimes called the “eastern king”) is 76” in width by 80” in height, a whole 4” wider than its king sized counterpart.

The famous California king bed (the “western king”) is about 72” in width by 84” in height, a whole 4” taller than its king sized counterpart.

The fourth question you need to ask is: how do I shop smart?

When testing out a memory foam bed, wear comfortable clothing. Try and lay your body down in the position you normally sleep. Do this for several minutes. Pay particular attention to the effects of the mattress on the heavier parts of your body: is the mattress giving your hips, shoulders, and lower back the support they need? Move around a little and test how well the mattress absorbs your motions, and how many vibrations make it to the other side.

Keep the following questions in mind as you shop for a mattress:
1. Where is your mattress manufactured, and which company makes it? Are they reputable?
2. Will it aggravate my allergies?
3. Is it cost-efficient?
4. Just how confident am I in this mattress? Can I rely on it to deliver comfortable sleep for the years ahead?
5. How well does it support me?
6. What is the warranty policy?
7. Will I be sharing this bed with someone, and what are this person’s needs?
8. Just how much space will I need to fully accommodate my dimensions, movements, and needs?

Always keep in mind that the sales associates you speak with should be competent, knowledgeable, and friendly or welcoming. If they can’t answer your questions, find someone who can.

The fifth question you need to ask is: how can I further enhance the quality of my sleep?

In addition to sleeping on a supportive memory foam mattress, there are a few things you can do to improve your sleep:

1. Sip on chamomile tea before bedtime.
2. Try to get some exercise in about four hours before you go to bed, but do not exercise within two hours of going to bed.
3. Create and practice a regular sleep ritual. This may include reading, listening to soothing music, stretching, or breathing deeply. These exercises will tell your body that it’s time to relax and go to bed.
4. Consider eating a very light snack before going to bed to avoid mid-slumber hunger pangs. Dairy products contain tryptophan, which induces sleep.
5. Sleep in a cool room on a cool mattress with enough blankets to keep you warm. If you have a memory foam bed, consider using fewer blankets or sleeping in a cooler room.
6. Keep a nightstand near your bed where you can place books, water, or perhaps a music player; anything you may need to access easily before drifting off to sleep. This way, you won’t need to get up and move around a lot before going to bed.
7. If you need to get up, use a nightlight instead of turning on bright lights. This will prevent your body from thinking it’s daytime.
8. Every once in a while, it’s okay to spoil yourself: take a hot bath about 90 minutes before sleeping. The drop in body temperature after exiting the tub will relax your body and make you feel sleepier.
9. Write your thoughts in a journal before bedtime. This will relieve you of worries and keep your mind still.
10. Breathe deeply and slowly while counting your breaths.

With these considerations in mind, you will surely find the perfect mattress for you!