Sleeping Well

Finding the Right Mattress

Mattress Essentials

Body Impressions

Mattress Care

FAQs

Quiz

Do You Need a New Mattress? If you are not getting the deep, restful sleep you need, your mattress and foundation might just be the cause. An uncomfortable mattress which does not adequately support you or conform to your body will cause you to toss and turn - disrupting your sleep cycle and preventing you from getting the deep sleep your body requires.

Too often, people are unaware of the truly poor condition of their mattress until it becomes so uncomfortable that it is impossible to ignore any longer. Don't wait. The Better Sleep Council recommends that you carefully evaluate the comfort and support of your sleep set at least twice a year. A simple test is to stop by your local mattress retailer and see if a new mattress feels remarkably nicer than yours at home - if so, it is time to do some shopping.

Mattress Lifespan
How long a mattress provides optimum support and comfort depends on a combination of factors - the quality of materials with which it was manufactured, the amount of use it receives, the environment into which it is placed, and the care with which you handle and use it all play a part in the life span of a mattress. Consider:

• Mattresses featuring premium materials eg. Natural Latex, Cotton Felt & Coirtex tend to last much longer than those using "standard" materials.
• A mattress in your guest bedroom will generally last much longer than one in your master bedroom.
• A mattress exposed to moisture and extreme temperature variations will tend to suffer damage over time, regardless of how well manufactured it may have been.
• Using a proper foundation, preventing contaminants from soaking into the mattress, moving the mattress without folding it, and keeping the kids from bouncing on it are all examples of good care.

It is About You
Ultimately, it is a question of comfort. If the bed you are sleeping on is providing good support and restful, comfortable sleep, you are doing well. When that is not the case, it is time to think about replacing your mattress. Some things you might want to consider when thinking about replacing your mattress:

• Lifestyles Change. What may have been adequate in your college apartment may not be the best answer when you move into a new home. Consider upgrading to a larger mattress that may help you sleep better than you ever knew possible. Most people don't realize how much more comfortable a larger bed can be until they purchase one.
• Bodies Change. As we age, our bodies change. What was comfortable and supportive when you were 25 may not meet your needs when you are 35 or 45. The amount of space that is right for a 6-year-old may not be enough for a 16-year-old. Make sure your mattress - and your children's mattresses - provide comfort, support and space as you get older.
• Preferences Change Over Time, our tastes can change. Sometimes it is enjoying spicy foods, and sometimes it is feeling more comfortable with a firmer mattress. Be sure your sleep set suits your comfort preferences and those of your partner. Checking once in a while to see if a new mattress somehow feels nicer than the one you have is a good measure to see if your tastes have changed.

Get Your Best Night's Sleep Every Night
Do you remember the last time you had a really great night's sleep? Where were you? Perhaps it was at a hotel or at someone else's house. All too often, the answer is somewhere other than your home. But you should be getting your best night's sleep every night on your own mattress. If you are not, take a "rest test" to see what you could be enjoying every night and benefiting from every day.

Conduct a "Rest Test"
Mattress comfort is a matter of personal preference. To find the one that best suits you, go to a local mattress retailer and compare the comfort and support of new sleep sets in the store with your old sleep set at home. If you sleep with a partner, take your partner. It is important to decide on a sleep set that meets both your needs.

Take off your shoes and lie down on the mattresses - Don't be shy! That is the only way you will find out how they really feel. Don't rush. Take your time. Considering how many years you will be using a new mattress, and how crucial rest is to your health, you have every right to go slowly and really try several mattresses. If you find that the retailer's mattresses are noticeably better than your own mattress, it is time to ask the salesperson about construction, features, warranties, and, of course, prices. Remember, your mattress is an investment in your health that provides returns every morning, year after year.