Considering we spend a good portion of our lives sleeping, it’s not difficult to see why a comfortable mattress plays an important role in the quality of sleep we experience. A well worn dip in a mattress may be a familiar place to cozy up in at night, but a good night’s sleep tends to be directly related to the comfort and support of a good mattress.
Medical conditions such as sleep apnea and other sleep disorders need to be assessed by professionals to ensure that the proper treatment is followed, but assessing the quality of your mattress is one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being.
If you want to be assessed for sleep apnea take our sleep study quiz here.
A good mattress usually has a lifespan of about 10 years. The older a mattress is, the more likely it is to have hygiene issues such as dust mites or sweat absorption. These issues may not be something you want to consider, but if you have allergies, asthma or skin rashes, you may have an allergy to the residue dust mites leave or to spores that develop from moisture. A mattress cover is a good solution, but if one hasn’t been used consistently, it’s likely that putting one on when the mattress is older won’t help significantly.
The type of mattress you have can also contribute to its life expectancy. Natural latex and high density memory foam tend to last longer than innerspring and low density memory foam. As a guide, memory foam mattresses are known for good support, pressure relief and body contouring. Latex is good for comfort, bounce and cooling and coils provide support and comfort based on the number and type of coils used. There are also pillow top mattresses and various hybrids on the market, so making a choice on the type of mattress you prefer depends on your personal preferences and needs.
If you are experiencing low back pain or sore joints and muscles, it may be that your mattress is not providing adequate support. When a bed ages, your body is likely to dip and your spine is not kept in alignment. The firmness of the mattress is also something to consider when examining your quality of sleep. Some people prefer a soft mattress but as a general rule, a firmer mattress gives more support. Body type, weight, size and preferred sleep positions all affect the perception of firmness. Finding the right mattress is a subjective experience which is made up of many factors. In essence, what is good for one person may not be good for another.
Getting a proper sleep affects our ability to function in the daytime hours. Waking up groggy and being sleep deprived can become a serious health issue if it continues for a long period of time. Restful sleep provides our bodies the chance to restore and rejuvenate and having the proper mattress is an essential component of creating the right environment.
