Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that you spend about one-third of every day in your bed? Ideally, you want to spend that time in a deep, blissful slumber. If you find yourself tossing, turning, and lacking the rest you desire, it may be because of a mattress that does not fit your sleeping style. In order to find the best mattress to fit your style, it is important to first understand what causes those common sleeping problems so that they can be avoided. Sleep studies have revealed that the root cause of tossing and turning is from lying on one part of the body for too long. When this happens, it causes a lack of blood flow to that area. This will deprive the skin of oxygen and nutrients which will then cause the nerve cells in your body to send messages to your brain telling you to roll over. Once you do, bloodflow is restored to that area, enabling you to return to a comfortable sleep. In order to maintain that comfortable sleep throughout the entire night and avoid tossing and turning, it is important to choose a mattress that will reduce the pressure points on your body that restrict bloodflow.
These pressure points are commonly at the knees, hips, and shoulders. Choosing the best mattress that fits your sleeping style is the the best way to help reduce pressure to these areas and ultimately enable you to have the restful sleep that you deserve. When searching for the best mattress, you should focus on your personal needs and sleeping style. The key is finding the perfect type of mattress that suits that style. At Sleep Inc., we understand this, so we have designed our mattresses to suit the needs of every type of sleeper. Our BodyCool line uses memory foam that will softly reduce those pressure point areas that cause the tossing and turning. If you are the type of person who has traditionally avoided memory foam because of the warm surface it can have, you'll love Sleep Inc.'s new Cool Comfort™ technology. We use this state-of-the-art technology to infuse our memory foam with an advanced cooling gel that helps the mattress surface stay cool throughout the night, enabling you to experience the peaceful, cool night's sleep that you deserve.
If your sleep is being disturbed by a partner's tossing and turning, Sleep Inc.'s BodyComfort line may be right for you. It was designed with the individual sleeper in mind and features springs that are fabric-encased. This technology will minimize motion transfer across the bed and ensures personalized comfort that is independent of others. Our Eco-friendly BodyRhythms line was designed to provide a pressure relieving experience by cradling and supporting your body to help provide proper spinal alignment. Our no-coil design is enhanced by strech-knit fabrics and woven fibers, giving the sleeper the perfect amount of cushioning comfort. No matter what your sleeping style is, there is always the perfect mattress out there to give you that perfect night's sleep that you need. With Sleep Inc. Mattress, we're here to help you find it. For more information on any of the Sleep Inc. products or to find out where you can find them at a retailer nearest you, contact us today.Everyday Solutions are created by Everyday Health on behalf of our partners.
More InformationEveryday SolutionsBack Pain Management GuideIf you have chronic back pain or want to avoid it, the right mattress — not too hard, not too soft — is essential. These tips can help you select the best one. ThinkstockWe spend about a third of our lives asleep, so the right mattress is important. And if you have chronic back pain, the best mattresses for back pain relief are those that give your spine just the right amount of support, in all the crucial areas.“Any time our bodies are in the same position for more than 20 minutes, we ‘mold’ to that position a little bit more, so it’s important to spend 7-9 hours per night in a position that’s appropriate for what’s going on with your back” says Suzanne Tamlyn, DC, chiropractor and owner of Hudson Valley Whole Life Center in Newburgh, New York.To understand how to maintain the proper mechanics of your spine, you need some spinal anatomy basics. Your spine supports your head, keeps your body upright, allows you the flexibility to bend and twist, and protects your spinal cord.
Your spine has three sections and three normal, gentle curves that need to be supported when you are standing as well as when you are sleeping.Your cervical spine includes seven vertebrae, supports your head, and has a C-shaped curve. Your thoracic spine includes 12 vertebrae, supports your upper body and has a reverse C-shaped curve. Your lower back, or lumbar spine, is your back's foundation, includes five vertebrae, and also has a C-shaped curve. If you don’t maintain these curves, you increase the stress on the bones and muscles of your back, and that can lead to chronic back pain.Best Mattress Type for Back Pain“The best advice I could give is the ‘Goldilocks Method’ — not too hard, and not too soft,” says Dr. Tamlyn.Try these tips to help find the right mattress for you:Support. Mattresses for back pain must support the heaviest parts of your body where the natural curves are located. These areas are the head, the shoulders, and the hips. Don't forget that you also need a good pillow to support your head.
Back pain and bed selection. It's not just about the mattress. You also need a good bed foundation. Putting a new mattress for back pain on an old, worn-out bed spring is not a good idea. Most mattresses work best with a matching foundation or box spring.There are many mattress options, including springs, foam, water, and air. Any of these can work as a mattress for back pain, but you really can't tell what feels best for you until you lie down and try it. Generally, however, memory foam mattresses are able to reduce pressure points better than other types of mattress, according to the American Sleep Association.And it’s not all about the mattress, either. “Finding the appropriate pillow is also key to keeping great spinal hygiene while sleeping,” says Tamlyn. You can also try keeping a pillow between your legs when lying on your side or under your knees when lying on your back to help alleviate back pain.When Do You Need a New Mattress?When it comes to mattress shopping, “usually, you get what you pay for,” says Tamlyn.
“If you have a quality mattress and no underlying spinal dysfunction, you can sleep on it for many years without issue. But it’s rare that no one has some kind of spinal dysfunction.”Here are a few rules of thumb for knowing when it’s time to replace your mattress:The lifespan of your mattress depends on the kind of use your mattress gets, but you should evaluate your mattress for quality and support at least every 7 years, according to the Better Sleep Council. If you start waking up with aches and pains, especially chronic back pain, it is probably time to go shopping.Your mattress support needs may change over time. As you get older, you may need more support, as the spine experiences degenerative changes over time.Since the changes in your mattress occur gradually over time, it is a good idea to try out a new mattress after a few years to compare and feel the difference.Of course, if you are living with chronic back pain, talk to your doctor. It may be more than your mattress.