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.Think mattress pads are just a required cover for your bed? Well, you’re partly right—every mattress does need a cover to protect from typical wear and tear. But the right mattress topper can do more: Some protect mattresses from dust, dander, and spills, some help the bed stay at a comfortable sleeping temperature, some reduce how much the bed moves when a sleeper tosses and turns, and some can even make a so-so feeling mattress a fabulous place to sleep. If you want to find the right mattress topper for you, this guide can help. Why do you need a mattress pad? Most people buy a new mattress pad because they either have a new mattress that they want to protect or because they're looking to make their bed more comfortable.
What are you protecting your mattress from? Everyday wear and tear A basic cotton mattress pad A waterproof mattress pad Allergens like dust, dust mites and pet dander A mattress pad enhanced with anti-allergen properties A mattress protector with bedbug barriers What would make your mattress more comfortable? Temperature control: A mattress pad that stays comfortable relative to how hot or cold I am in the night. Mattress pads filled with natural fibers like cotton, wool, or down. A bed that adjusts to my body: I'd like a mattress pad that makes my bed feel more custom-fit to me. A down-filled mattress pad, which is fluffy and comfortable-and will help keep the temperature even while you sleep. (If you're concerned about allergies, you can also opt for a down-alternative mattress pad.) A Visco Elastic mattress pad (aka, Memory Foam ) can also conform better to your body-these synthetic pads respond to body heat, getting softer in the spots you press the mattress most, and staying firm elsewhere-so they feel like they're supporting you where you need it.
And if you opt for a cotton mattress pad, look for one with a higher fill count, which will feel softer. More firmness: I'd like my mattress to feel a little firmer than it currently does. A latex mattress pad or a Visco elastic pad can add more firmness to the mattress for a more supported feeling. Reducing motion: I need a way to make my partner's tossing and turning less jarring to me when I sleep. A mattress pad made with Memory Foam or latex will reduce the transfer of motion, meaning one side won't move as much when the other one does. Mattress pads and mattress toppers are often confused. Here are the most common types of bed toppers. Type of mattress toppers Mattress Protector (a non-padded mattress covers) Non-padded mattress covers (sometimes called encasements) are designed to help protect a mattress from exposure to things that might damage it-like water, dust and dust mites, mold, pet dander, and other allergens. Non-padded mattress covers can be made of cotton, vinyl or super-tightly woven polyester fabric, and they usually zip up to totally surround the mattress.
(You can get these encasements for box springs, too.) A fitted mattress pad works like a fitted sheet-a ring of elastic around its bottom edge helps secure it to the bed. Unlike a sheet, however, a fitted mattress pad is quilted on top to provide a comfortable sleeping surface-and to circulate air to help sleepers' body temperatures stay more even during the night. Fitted mattress pads are a good match for most standard-size mattresses. Because it has a quilted top, a guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad helps make a bed feel more comfortable. It also offers better temperature regulation. The side panels of a guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad are made with an elasticized fabric that helps it attach securely to deeper mattresses, usually up to depth of 24". (These mattress pads are sometimes referred to as Tailor Fit or Expand-a-Grip.) Visco Elastic Mattress Toppers These mattress toppers, sometimes called memory foam, are designed to provide additional support to sleepers. They conform to the body because they're made with a temperature-sensitive material that contracts more where the body is warmer, but stays firmer where the body is cooler.
These mattress toppers can also dampen motion when a sleeper moves. Visco elastic mattress pads are placed on the bed underneath the fitted sheet. These mattress toppers are essentially mattress-sized pillows designed to create a more comfortable sleeping surface. Fiberbeds and featherbeds cradle body areas that don't come into contact with the mattress. These stuffed pads are made with natural materials like down and cotton or with man-made materials, and can be placed underneath or on top of a fitted sheet. Also referred to as egg crates, these dimpled foam pads are designed to improve body weight distribution. They add support, help reduce tossing and turning, and add a layer of cushioning to the bed. These mattress pads are electric and come with warming controls. Some come with dual controls that let you have different warmth settings for each side of the bed. The cover's fabric content: 100% cotton covers will provide superior comfort and durability over cotton/polyester blends;