Time for a new mattress? You’ll know it when:
1. You awaken stiff, achy, tired, or in pain.
2. Dark circles develop under your eyes, and it has nothing to do with staying out late or not getting “enough” sleep.
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.
Mattresses have lifetimes just like people do. After 5 years, an innerspring mattress just isn’t as supportive and clean as it used to be. You’ll notice it begins to sag, and it will become a haven for bacteria and dust mites as time goes by (gross!).
Luckily, shopping for your brand new mattress is rarely a painful process. 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!
First: what’s your type?
Sometimes selecting a great mattress can be a truly daunting and confusing process, what with all the distinct mattress types available. Use this guide to select the type best for you.
memory foam mattresses: 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 mattresses 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: Generally speaking, memory foam beds tend to be warmer than other mattress types as their dense structure retains more body heat. 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: Lightweight and storable, air mattresses are great for campers and singletons. They sometimes come with small, electronically controlled air pockets, giving you improved dynamic control over your bed’s firmness.
Cons: Don’t let your cat near this bed, as it easily punctures. 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: Water mattresses are cold, heavy, and should be avoided by anyone with motion sickness or back pain. If your partner tosses and turns in his sleep, it’s “surf’s up dude!”
The second question you need to ask is: how do I get 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. Choosing the wrong mattress or practicing improper sleeping posture will likely lead to back pain, particularly in your lumbar region. 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. You may have heard that a firm mattress is best for your back, but the truth is that firmness is less important than even support. As long as a mattress distributes your weight evenly, you can use any firmness level you like.
For best results, test out some floor model mattresses at your local warehouse or hotel and find the perfect soft/firm ratio for you. 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.
Third: choose a size.
Each and every unique mattress size will suit a unique need.
Your standard twin mattress (a “single”) is perfect for kids, dorm rooms, guest bedrooms, or bunk beds. 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. The problem with extra long twin beds is that it might be a pain to find sheets for them, though once again you can almost certainly find them online.
Double or “full” mattresses allow significantly more room for moving, rolling, and stretching out. The average full mattress clocks in at about 54” in width by about 75” in height, which may prove (once again) a little short for some people. But for singles who find twin beds too crowded or uncomfortable, these are perfect fits.
If you anticipate sharing your mattress with someone now or in the future, a queen is the smallest size recommended. These large beds measure about 60” in width by 80” in height, easily accommodating taller persons and couples who like to snuggle.
King beds are the most expensive of the bunch, but they also provide the most space for those people who can’t seem to sleep still. When purchasing a king bed, you’ll need to consider whether you prefer length or width in 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.
Fourth: 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 the mattress aggravate any of your existing allergies or chronic joint pains?
3. Is it cost-efficient?
4. Am I confident that I’ll be able to comfortably sleep on it for years to come?
5. How well does it support me?
6. What is the warranty policy?
7. Am I hoping to share this bed?
8. How much space will I need to accommodate my movement and size?
Remember, any sales person you talk to should be friendly, knowledgeable, and competent. If the person helping you can’t answer your questions, find someone else 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 bed, 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 will keep you from getting up and feeling active.
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!
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