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.Find the Serta mattress that’s just right for you in 7 easy steps Who will sleep in the new mattress? Me and my partner Why are you shopping for a new mattress? My current mattress is old and worn out I am getting married or moving in with someone I am ready to upgrade to a better quality mattress to improve my quality of sleep I recently had a great night’s sleep at a hotel and want to look into purchasing this mattress Which of the following sleep problems do you experience most often? Check all that apply I can’t get comfortable so I toss and turn I wake up with stiffness or back pain I get too hot or too cold while sleeping My partner moves around and it wakes me up My mattress is worn out and sagging, leaving me uncomfortable What is your usual sleep position?
Which type of activities below do you typically do in bed? Catch up on personal emails, surf online What type of mattress do you prefer? I prefer an innerspring mattress I prefer a memory foam mattress I prefer a hybrid mattress, which combines memory foam with an innerspring What level of mattress comfort do you prefer? Somewhat soft, but not too soft Cushion-firm (firm with some “give”) Your Personalized Serta Recommendation We recommend a Queen Serta Perfect Sleeper Firm Innerspring mattress. Model name and availability varies by local authorized Serta retailers, so please check with your local store to see what models are available to meet your needs. Standard Queen Set starting at The Only Official Mattress of the National Sleep Foundation. Engineered to help the five common sleep problems Sagging & Edge Roll-Off *Starting at price points may vary at local authorized Serta retailers. National Sleep Foundation’s logo, name, materials and/or insights used under license from NSF in exchange for Serta’s financial support of NSF’s sleep research and educational activities.
The Consumer’s Digest Best Buy seal, editorial review text, references to the editorial review, and Consumer’s Digest Best Buy rating are registered certification marks and trademarks of Consumers Digest Communications, LLC used under paid license. Model names, availability and price ranges may vary at local authorized Serta retailers.When choosing a mattress to use with an adjustable bed (also known as a reclining bed) consumers can pick from a number of options. Each one differs in performance and function. The best choice for you will depend on a combination of how you plan to use your bed, the materials used to make the mattress, and its thickness. Types of mattresses best for adjustable beds An adjustable bed base lifts the top and bottom of the mattress (the head and foot sections) between 40 and 70 degrees. This creates a more comfortable shape for you to read, watch TV, and even sleep. That means the most important thing to consider when choosing an adjustable mattress is its flexibility and durability.
A mattress that’s best for adjustable beds will bend and flex to follow the contour of the base, while still maintaining its support and structural integrity. The four types most commonly paired with adjustable beds are memory foam, latex foam, innerspring, and airbeds. Memory foam and latex mattresses are usually the best choice to use with an adjustable bed. They are flexible enough to match the curves of the base, and if you pick a company that uses high-quality foam and materials, it will maintain its support and durability. However you should be aware that there are significant differences in construction among the manufacturers that make memory foam and latex mattresses. Try to find a company that uses the best, most modern materials. Otherwise you could wind up with a bed that’s uncomfortable and wears out quickly. Innersprings and airbeds can also be used on adjustable bases and reclining beds if necessary. They have a few issues shoppers should be aware of though, which we explain in this article.