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. Reviews > Best Mattress For Heavier and Lighter People Based on 2,462 Actual Consumer Experiences Large people (230+ pounds) and small people (under 120 pounds) often have special mattress needs and should be aware of and understand the following five factors. The heavier a person is the more thickness they tend to need to support their weight. Sleeping on a mattress that is too thin for one's weight will often result in "bottoming out" and excessive pressure points, especially for side sleepers. For the internal makeup of a mattress, the support part or bottom portion of the mattress (whether it be springs, foam, latex, or air) should be at least six inches thick and ideally make up the majority (51%+) of overall mattress thickness.
The lighter a person is the less mattress thickness they tend to need to support their weight. And because thinner mattresses are often less expensive than thicker ones, buying a thicker mattress than one needs can be a waste of money. In addition, thicker / taller mattresses can be a challenge for smaller / shorter people to get on and off of. The chart shows the suitability of common mattress thicknesses for large and small people. A large person often prefers a mattress with medium-firm to firm firmness. Such a mattress tends to provide the extra support a large person needs especially if they are side or stomach sleepers. Also, a firmer mattress does not often feel overly firm to a large person because the person tends to exert enough pressure on the mattress to have it conform and contour to their body resulting in minimized pressure points. Learn more about which firmness may be best for your size, body type and sleep position. A small person often prefers a mattress with medium to soft firmness.
A small person does not tend to exert enough pressure on a firmer mattress to allow it to conform and contour to their body; the result is often pressure points and discomfort. High-density mattress support is often best suited for a large person. In regard to foam mattresses, this means high-density (1.8 lbs/ft or higher) base / support foam. In regard to innerspring mattresses, having high density mainly means that the coil count is dense or high, specifically 600 or more (queen). Unfortunately, density related specifications are not always provided by the manufacturer. A low-density mattress comfort layer is often best suited for a small person. This means having low-density (3.5 lbs/ft or lower) foam, including memory foam, in the comfort layer. Low-density foam often conforms more easily to a small person's body resulting in more comfort. Owner experience data suggests that there is some correlation between poor mattress durability / longevity and heavy sleeper weight.