A mattress is one of the most important pieces of furniture in a home. Individuals who get the recommended 8 hours of sleep per night spend at least 1/3 of their lives in a mattress. This means people who keep their mattress for 9 years (usually the average), 3 of those years will be spent on it. Unfortunately, many don't think about their mattress and how it impacts their lives every day.
If your current mattress is hurting you or causing you to wake up tired, it may be time to invest in a new one. Nowadays, you can find a range of mattresses online and offline, which can make a little confusing knowing which type to choose. Memory foam or pocket sprung? Open coil or continuous coil? How do you determine the best one for you?
Do Your Home Work
Find helpful information about mattresses online. Understand the different types of mattresses available and how they can help you improve your sleep. If you have a health condition, talk to your doctor about what he/she recommends. Although doctors are not mattresses experts, they know your medical condition and symptoms and will probably have some good advice on the subject.
Make Sure You Try the Mattress
Once you've got enough information and recommendation on a specific type of mattress, it will be time to take it for a test drive. Even if you decide to buy your mattress online, find a similar model in a local store and try to lie on it for at least 10 minutes. Don't feel self-conscious or let the vendor hurry you along. It is a large investment, and if you don't try it enough to get a real feel, you can end up getting something that is not truly right for your needs.
Firm Mattresses Aren't Always Better for People With Low Back Problems
Some recent research has shown that a medium firm mattress is the best option for low back pain and not a firm mattress how it was thought. Experts explain that there is a difference between firm support and firm feel. You may want a mattress with firm support but with a comfortable feel. Comfort will depend on your personal preferences.
Pillow Tops Aren't for Everyone
An individual that is very light doesn't need a big thick pillow top mattress because he/she doesn't weigh enough to compress the foam, so the underlying coils/support system is not even touched. On the other hand, a person that is larger/heavier may feel more comfortable with an extra cushion between them and the coils.
Ask About Comfort Guarantees
Some retailers offer to their customers what is called a comfort guarantee. Ask for it before you buy your mattress, and be sure to understand the details, like if you will need to pay shipping, it money back guarantee is included, or if you must return the mattress within a certain time frame.
