October 10, 2008
Tips On Selecting The Right Mattress
By Paul
When purchasing a new mattress, one should take the time to shop carefully and make the right decision. A bed is an investment because people spend a major part of their lives in it-more then 220,000 hours, according to the better sleep council. It is used more than any other piece of furniture and certainly how comfortable you are in bed will affect the quality of your sleep, and ultimately the quality of your life.
Unlike many other items of furniture, mattresses don’t last forever and need to be replaced periodically. It is estimated that currently there are 80 million Americans sleeping on beds that passed their maximum lifespan 8-10 years.
If your mattress is approaching this age you may want to be on the lookout for signs of quality such as fine tailoring, superior fabrics and surfaces that look and feel plush. Today’s better quality mattresses feature extra layers of cushioning for comfort.
The next thing to consider is the size; if there is any doubt, go for the bigger size.
You need freedom of motion while you sleep and also to help you relax while getting to sleep. Sleep studies have shown that we all turn 40 to 60 times a night, including some full dozen body turns, and that we require room to move about freely so that we don’t awaken. If you sleep with a partner don’t settle for anything smaller than a queen size. You may even be happier with a king, especially if you are tall.
Comfort is another key factor. Make sure you try out each new mattress you are thinking about buying. One that’s too hard may only put your shoulders and hips to sleep. One that is too soft may not give you enough support. Modern cushioning material and extra surface treatments held together are designed to create a feeling of being cradled.
Finally, support is the most important part of mattress design. A good mattress and foundation will gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same shape as a person with standing posture. Pay special attention to your shoulders, hips and lower back. Theses are the heaviest parts of your body and there is not enough support, the spine will sag, placing stress on the muscles and ligaments, resulting in back pain. It can also result in possible misalignments of the vertebrae. On the other hand a mattress that is rigid can result in uncomfortable pressure. It can force the spine to arch or bow instead of relax as the body relaxes. It can also create painful pressure at the shoulder and hips where body weight concentrates during sleep.
Look for a combination of superior upholstery materials with a top quality innerspring system. The number of coils and the thickness, or gauge of the wire, in each of these coils will have an effect. For example, firmer coils concentrated in the center of the mattress should have more than 450 coils; likewise, a queen size should have 375 and a full or double should have 300 coils.
Also, to preserve the life of your new mattress, make sure you don’t put it an old foundation. It’s important to choose the proper matching foundation for your mattress, because both parts are designed to work together as a sleep set. The foundation is crucial because it acts like a giant shock absorber and takes much of the nightly wear and tear.
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