Sleep matters -- so much so that six in 10 Americans crave sleep over sex. And the key to rest that's good enough to forgo sex just might be the mattress: Nine in 10 respondents in a sleep survey cited their mattress as an important factor in getting that coveted good night's rest. In 2010, Americans spent more than $5.8 billion on mattresses and box springs alone. But is this expense justified? How important are mattresses, really? Read on for the low-down on how mattresses affect health and sleep quality. 13 Legit Ways to Stop a Hangover The Most Common Yoga Injuries and How to Avoid Them 13 Social Good Mobile Apps for a Healthier You Mattress Matters -- The Need-To-Know The first "mattresses" (read: piles of leaves, grass or straw covered in animal skins) were invented by cave men and women. Thousands of years later, the Egyptian pharaohs discovered the luxury of raising the bedding off the ground (though common folk continued to sleep on piles of palm fronds).
Today, many Americans enjoy the luxury of mattress-induced sleep. Even those who aren't up on their mattress history know the value of a good night's sleep. The average person spends about one third of her or his life sleeping. For those who sleep less than that, sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences, including a sour mood (what college student doesn't know this to be truth), slower metabolism and impaired immune function There are lots of great tips for coping with sleep deprivation, but what if the cause is right under our backs? Low-quality, uncomfortable mattresses have been linked to sleep discomfort and pain, and chronic pain can prevent quality sleep. Fortunately, it's not all bad news. Improved “bedding systems” (a fancy way of saying “things you sleep on”) have been linked to decreased pain and discomfort, especially in women. Quality sleep on a good mattress may also help decrease stress. If we're comfortable, we have a better chance of sleeping well, and if we sleep well, we're more likely to stay healthy.
Better Bedding -- Your Action PlanSome research suggests that foam mattresses create backaches; Some studies advocate for regular cotton mattresses while others say coils create backaches and that airbeds are the way to go. There's even controversy over the conventional thinking that a firm mattress is better for lower back pain. The reason for all this controversy is that sleep quality and comfort are so darn subjective. When buying a mattress, the most important consideration is probably personal comfort. In fact, some people argue that if something else besides a mattress proves more comfortable to sleep on, we should go for it. If you do find yourself in the market for a new mattress, there are still some useful tips to keep in mind. Follow these guidelines for a better shot at getting that elusive good night's sleep. Have you reaped the benefits of a good night's sleep on a comfortable mattress? Do you sleep better without a mattress? Any mattress horror stories?
Share 'em in the comments below! Thanks to Joyce Walsleben, David M. Rapoport and Nicole Lehman for their help with this article. For more on sleep, click here.last updated: Feb 17, 2017You know how annoying back pain can be. It hurts and it affects every waking moment.So finding a mattress to address your back pain is a life-changer.Since pro athletes use our mattresses for rest and recovery, people are always asking us which Essentia mattress would help their back pain.You may be asking yourself, is changing my mattress the best place to start?"The answer is YES, 8 hours per night will make or break your back!You'll want to look for a mattress with the follow 3 Attributes.1) proper support2) spinal alignment3) pressure point relief.That's what addresses persistent upper and lower back pain as well as shoulder and neck pain. LatexMemory FoamNatural Memory Foam Made using certified organic & natural components, no metals. Reduced VOC exposure, not exposed to harmful chemicals.
Heat dissipates through the mattress and away from the body. Eliminates negative space, ideal for proper spinal alignment. Eliminates numbness and soreness. Evenly distributed body weight allows for increased blood circuThe truth is, all Essentia mattresses are pretty amazing but some outperform others in terms of back support and back pain relief.In fact, the Dormeuse and Beausommet are tied for first since they offer similar performance but address 2 difference body types. If you have a pronounced lower back arch you'll need the Dormeuse. Little to no arch and you're looking at the Beausommet. If you suffer from:- Upper or Lower Back Pain - Shoulder or Neck Pain - Cervical Spondylosis, or Arthritis of the Neck - Pinched Nerve - Muscle Strain - Spinal Stenosis - Spondylolisthesis - Cervical Kyphosis - Scoliosis - Kyphosis - Whiplash InjuryOur top-of-the-line Dormeuse (softer) & Beausommet (firmer) mattress could help you get a better night's sleep. People who suffer from back injuries related to car accidents have called to thank us for these mattresses.
Neck pain alone can often be resolved with one of 3 Essentia support pillows. Top 5 Tips to Choosing a Back Pain Mattress1) Is a Firm Mattress really better for your back?You might be confusing firmness with support; recent studies show that maximum support and back pain relief are provided by a medium-firm mattress.According to a recent survey, 95% of orthopedic surgeons said they believed a mattress plays a role in lower back pain management. 31 million Americans have suffered from acute or chronic back pain.2) Again, Avoid Firm Mattresses!!!For all you stubborn folks, according to this study published in the British medical journal, The Lancet, researchers found that patients suffering from back pain were twice as likely to report improvement when sleeping on a medium-firm mattress as opposed to those patients who slept on a firm mattress.The trial involved 313 adults with chronic lower back pain and backache. As a part of the study, the subjects were randomly assigned to two groups.
The first group slept on a medium-firm mattress instead of their normal mattress and the second group on a firm mattress.When compared to the patients who slept on a firm mattress, patients who slept on the medium-firm mattresses reported reduced incidents of back pain in bed, reduced back pain upon rising from their bed, and reduced back pain related to disability. The study results indicated that a medium-firm mattress provides a better balance between back support and comfort for lower back pain than a firm mattress.Contrary to popular belief, sleeping on a mattress that is too firm exerts additional pressure on the back, resulting in more back pain for some patients. So the best mattress for a bad back is a medium-firm.3) Price Doesn't Equate to QualityWhen you're buying a car you can often relate the price tag with the quality of the product. That's not really the case when it comes to mattresses.Finding a mattress that will help your back pain doesn't have to be an expensive proposition.