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. While mattresses can hinder sleep quality, they can also improve it. 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.
The experts we spoke to said it basically comes down to personal preference. 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 Plan When it comes to purchasing the perfect mattress, it turns out there are a lot of mixed messages out there. Some research suggests that foam mattresses create backaches; others say foam helps pain. 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.A top choice for its highly durable memory foam, which offers plenty of therapeutic support and comfort. Praised for its unique coils, which work independently to provide the best possible weight distribution. Generates much enthusiasm for its universal comfort level, which ensures proper support and body weight distribution. An ideal choice for virtually any type of sleeper thanks to its firm support, which helps to relieve pressure points. Distances itself from competitors due to the fact that it ensures an odor-free mattress by using plant oil for freshness. Has a firmer construction, so if you're looking for something super soft, we recommend going with another one.
Comes bundled up in a duffel bag for added convenience. However, you need to give it at least 24 hours to expand once it's removed from the bag. A handful of consumers wish that the sides of the mattress offered a bit more support, as they tend to be a bit harder than the rest of the product. Several owners caution that this mattress is better sized for a trundle than it is for a traditional twin bed frame. This mattress is a bit firmer than most, which tends to be most noticeable among side sleepers. Anyone who's in the market for a high-quality mattress with ample support will really appreciate this mattress. Hands down the best mattress on the market. If you don't mind waiting an extra day or two to use your mattress once it arrives, this product is an excellent choice for the price. Definitely the best overall bang for your buck. You'll pay a bit more up front for this mattress, but satisfied owners agree that the added expense is well worth the comfort and support, not to mention durability over time.
If you're looking for a reliable second mattress or want to get a mattress for a younger child, this product is a great choice. While it's a great choice if you need a firmer mattress, those seeking a softer mattress should consider other products. Best of the Best Best Bang for the Buck We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers. Is your mattress conducive to a good night’s sleep, or do you toss and turn every night? Finding a mattress that’s comfortable, durable, and affordable can be somewhat of a balancing act. What’s more, mattress manufacturers routinely introduce new technologies to lure customers away from the competition. It can be tough to separate the hype from reality. Before you jump into a new investment, let our handy shopping guide help you answer your most pressing questions about buying a new mattress. Mattresses don’t last forever. If yours is over 10 years old, consider buying a new one.
Mattresses collect dust, human skin cells, and body fluids over time. Some people try to revive their old mattress with a professional deep cleaning or a new mattress topper. These temporary solutions are stop-gap measures at best. Here are some situations in which it’s definitely time to replace a mattress: The top is so worn that the inner springs are exposed. As mentioned above, a topper only masks this problem. Exposed springs threaten your comfort and support, and they’re definitely a safety hazard. The mattress has developed structural problems. Older mattresses may sag in the middle or collapse on the sides. Some people try to adapt to these inconveniences, but the fact is, an unsupported mattress puts unnatural stress on the body. Other warning signs that you may need to consider a new mattress include the following: You’re experiencing chronic stiffness or back pain, especially in the morning. You’re not sleeping well at night. You’re experiencing increased nighttime allergy symptoms.
You notice that you get better rest in other places, such as a couch, chair, hotel, or friend’s guest room. Hundreds of internal metal coils support the sleeper on an innerspring mattress. The ideal innerspring perfectly aligns the spine and fully supports the extremities. But since different parts of the body exert different amounts of pressure on the springs, this type of mattress may or may not provide adequate support. Your comfort depends heavily on the total number of coils your mattress has. A cheap mattress with 400 coils might not feel very comfortable, whereas a pricier model with 900 coils might feel so fantastic that you have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning. That said, the total number of coils is not always an indicator of mattress quality. A mattress with 800 coils might use an inferior grade of metal, whereas a 500-coil mattress might incorporate coils of top-quality steel. Memory foam mattresses are made of dense foam with heavy viscosity.
These models incorporate a solid foam support system rather than a failure-prone set of internal coils. Memory foam conforms to your body contours, creating the appropriate highs and lows for ideal comfort and support. For many people, the urge to assume to new sleep positions throughout the night is greatly reduced with a memory foam mattress. However, there are some drawbacks to this type of bedding. Memory foam mattresses are expensive, and they’re typically available only in specialized bedding stores and online. Furthermore, because the thick foam provides little ventilation, they tend to retain heat. Some memory foam mattresses include a gel layer that adds a bit of cooling comfort, but the gel is often buried too deeply within the mattress to be of much use. A recent development in mattress technology is the adjustable air/memory gel hybrid. With this type of mattress, you dial in your desired level of support, and air bladders inside the mattress inflate or deflate to match your command.
(Note: the pumps that control each air bladder can be noisy, so middle-of-the-night adjustments are not advisable!) The obvious benefit is that two sleepers with different firmness preferences can share a bed comfortably. These mattresses tend to be quite pricey, but satisfied users say the cost is worth it. A bit of advice about sleep number beds: while firmness level plays a role in your overall comfort, it’s wise to avoid extremely high or low settings. A too-soft mattress could cause problems over time because it doesn’t support the spine enough; an ultra-firm mattress that holds the body in rigid suspension all night could also cause problems. When it comes to mattresses, size matters. The smallest size available for adult sleepers is the twin, although it is barely large enough to support one average adult. Twin beds work best in a child’s room or a spare guest room. Two adults would likely not feel comfortable sharing a twin bed for long! The next size up is the full mattress.
It’s the smallest size that can reasonably accommodate two average adults. Because of its relatively narrow width, there can be a lot of transferred motion if one sleeper leaves the bed or climbs back in. Full mattress are available in an extended length for tall sleepers. Sheets, blankets, and pillow cases for the full-size bed are easy to find. Many people find contentment with the next largest size, the queen. Two adults can sleep comfortably on a queen-size bed without making incidental contact. If you prefer a few inches of separation between you and your partner, this could be the size for you. Transfer of motion is also less of an issue with this size than it is with a full. The ultimate mattress size is the spacious king. Size variations exist among king-size mattresses, such as the California King and the Split King. It’s a popular size in the hotel industry, because sleepers can maintain a comfortable distance if necessary. People who prefer a lot of independence while sleeping enjoy the benefits of a king.
Notably, a king-size bed’s sheets, blankets, and pillowcases are larger and tend to cost more. If you’re considering a king-size mattress, be aware of this additional investment. Before buying, it’s also wise to make sure your room’s dimensions will accommodate this larger bed. Innerspring mattresses with decent coil counts, independent spring designs, and thick padding should not cost more than about $1000. Pricier innerspring models do exist, but the difference in quality is often negligible. Memory foam/gel mattresses are generally promoted as high-end models, so customers should expect to see price tags of $1500 or more. Manufacturer financing is sometimes available, but the interest rates can be considerably higher than average. Adjustable air mattresses with memory foam or gel can also cost a lot. A price tag of $2000 to $2500 is not unusual for such a bed. People with health issues related to poor sleep may want to make the leap to an adjustable sleep number mattress, but others may conclude that the adjustable nature of this mattress doesn’t outweigh the initial investment.