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. Finding the best mattress and box spring can be confusing! At The Original Mattress Factory, we provide you with all the information you need to know to make an informed buying decision and simplify the mattress shopping experience. We encourage you to learn more about our products and be sure to consider comfort, support, durability and size when making your decision. In other words, we want you to shop, but shop smart! And we think you’ll find our honesty, no hassle sales approach and organized showrooms a refreshing change! The following lesson plan has been created to help you learn more about shopping for a mattress and box spring.
You may follow the lessons in order or skip to the lesson that interests you most. Please note that this information is meant to be used as a guide and should not be thought to include everything you need to know about mattresses and box springs. Since everyone’s definition of comfort is different, we strongly encourage you to visit one of our showrooms and test our mattresses yourself so that you may find the size and comfort level that’s right for you. Is It Time to Buy a New Mattress? Much has been written about the importance of sleep to the quality of our daily lives. As a matter of fact, most adults sleep between 6-8 hours a night, or about one-third of their lives! Now that you’ve determined you need a new mattress, it’s time to start shopping! Different brands, models and prices often make buying a mattress an overwhelming experience. Don’t let yourself get exhausted or confused! Finding the best mattress and box spring doesn’t have to be so hard!
Common Pitfalls of Mattress Shopping Due to the variety of brands, models, features and prices available, shopping for a new mattress set can be confusing. Some mattresses and box springs include special features that can provide you with additional benefits or provide value through enhanced comfort, performance and/or durability. Select the mattress question that interests you most or scroll through our entire list of Frequently Asked Mattress Questions.Finding the right bed sheets and buying a mattress that works for you are important to a good night's sleep. However, sometimes a well-appointed bed is not quite restful enough. Enter: The mattress pad. Also called mattress toppers, these can range from a thin padded protective sheet to thicker slabs that are almost like a small mattress. Moreover, mattress pads are great for providing extra cushion to a firm mattress and they can often help guard against dust mites. The style, thickness and size of a mattress pad will depend on your personal sleeping habits and your bed.
But, if you're looking for one in the market, here are some very general things you should keep in mind.Cotton, latex and wool are commonly used for mattress pads. Cotton ones are usually thinner and quilted, but they are machine washable. Latex and wool pads are dust mite and mold-resistant, which makes them more durable than cotton. Almost counterintuitively, wool pads can work for the warmer months -- since they're absorbant, which helps keep you cool. However, natural latex will stand up to the test of time (20 years or more!) because it's derived from rubber trees.Another alternative to materials for mattress pads is memory foam, which molds to your body. Although it's lightweight and comes thicker than the other options, this option absorbs heat and can sometimes get too hot during the night. However, because of memory foam's thickness, some thicker pads can actually be a good alternative to buying a completely new mattress when you need one. Good to know: If you're often hot when you sleep, the perfect temperature to sleep in is about 65 degrees.
In that case, a wool or cotton pad will definitely be a better option than memory foam. Keep featherbeds in mind. These are extremely soft and great alternatives to mattress pads if you're looking for something that's more lightweight and soft. Filled with down, they're great at regulating body heat when you're sleeping, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you're looking for one, go for one with about 200 thread counts, which makes it more durable but still soft. Go for the extra features. If your mattress is not hypoallergenic, a mattress pad that is can make for a simple, affordable add-on. More recently, odor-eliminating mattress pads that act as a protective layer between you and your mattress have also hit the market. Flip through the slideshow below to see some of our picks for mattress pads in the marketplace now. And, let us know in comments below what are other important things that you look for in mattress pads and featherbeds. Have something to say?