Can’t sleep comfortably on your mattress? Are you losing sleep and wondering exactly why the one you’re sleeping on right now just isn’t doing the trick? Here are 50 things to consider when choosing your next one.
Most people wouldn’t think to invest money on a good mattress.
After all, most of the ones that have been scientifically engineered and promise to give you the best sleep of your life don’t exactly go for chump change.
A good mattress and good bedding should be one of your priorities though. We basically sleep for about a third of our lifetime.
That’s a lot of shut eye time. Your choice of beddings/mattress plays a big role in how comfortable you are for that third of your life.
Keep the following mattress selection effects in mind.
Age Matters
First off, you have to consider who you’re buying the mattress for. Different stages of our life poses different concerns. Let’s delve deeper into this.
For babies and toddlers
So you’re a new parent and have no idea what mattress you should get for your new kid’s crib. Firmness is key. You want it to be made of firm foam.
This adapts to the shape of your little one’s head, which is soft and still developing at this point.
Learn how to get a full night’s sleep in only 4 or less hours – click here
For schoolchildren
After graduating from a crib, you want to consider getting your child a bigger mattress that offers a lot of spine support.
It’s good to think ahead here and find something that your child can grow into.
For teens
Durability is the main thing. You want something that can withstand your kid’s changing sleeping habits.
For you and the missus
We’re trying to accommodate two people here so size is key. If you can invest in a king-sized bed, that’ll be better in the long run.
Learn how to get a full night’s sleep in only 4 or less hours – click here
For the seniors
Sleep gets more and more difficult as we age. You want to find something that’s adjustable.
That way, your mattress can adapt to where you’re most comfortable. Which becomes a necessity when dealing with night aches and pains.
Now that’s out of the way, let’s get into the specifics.
Comfort
This is entirely up to your preferences. And these may change as you get older, so you’re going to go through a couple of beds in your lifetime.
And rightly so.
Support
Most people think that support means sleeping on a hard board. Nope. There are many degrees of firmness to choose from.
You want something that will support your spine. You might think that tucking into a soft bed is comfortable at first, only to wake up with a back ache in the morning.
Air
This is the one I recommend the least. I’m sure you’ve slept on one of these on a sleepover or a camping trip.
You can decide how much air you’ll put into it and how much support you want, but this is not the kind of bed you regularly want to be sleeping on.
Learn how to get a full night’s sleep in only 4 or less hours – click here
Water
These were all the rage in the ‘70s. Water does adapt to the shape of your body quite well, but this kind of mattress needs the most upkeep.
Foam
This could be good if your partner changes positions every two minutes. You won’t be able to feel is as much compared to other mattresses.
There’s also something called memory foam which adjusts to the contour of your body. This kind produces the most heat though. You don’t want that if you’re trying to get some shut-eye.
Spring
This is probably the most popular one.
Although it might not offer the best support for your back, it’s the best one for intimate times.
So, priorities.
Adjustable
A fairly new invention and the one I recommend the most.
You can configure these mattresses to your specific needs even if you have a sleeping partner. You both could set it up to match your individual preferences.
Okay, maybe you’re not looking to buy a new mattress just yet and trying to figure out what’s wrong with your current one and if you can fix it.
Here are some possibilities.
Allergies
You don’t know what sorts of things are living in your mattress.
Our bodies naturally shed dead skin and dust mites live off that. So if you’re wondering why you’re sneezing throughout the night, they might be the culprit.
It’s too soft
It’s natural to think that softness means comfort.
But when I tried a firmer mattress, I was actually surprised how much more comfortable it is than sleeping on a marshmallow.
It’s ancient
So you’ve moved your old mattress from your parents’ house into your studio apartment.
You have set it up on the floor and are living like a broke artist.
Years of use compromises a bed’s integrity. Not to mention you could squeeze years’ worth of body oils from that thing.
Learn how to get a full night’s sleep in only 4 or less hours – click here
It’s your office
Who needs a desk? Well, it turns out you do.
Your bed is not a place for work. Plus, sitting on the same spot on a bed for years makes an indentation. You don’t want that dip when once you’re already lying down.
You let your kids use it a trampoline
Again, your bed is a place for sleep. It’s not a playpen. Jumping on the springs will weaken and deform them.
It’s not your mattress, it’s your bedframe
Your mattress might be just fine, but your bedframe does not have center support.
No wonder there’s a crater forming in the middle of your bed.
You’ve been sleeping on the same side for years
Did you know that you’re supposed to flip your mattress every two months?
Your sheets suck
You got a $2000 mattress and $20 sheets?
Let me tell you what kinds of sheets to consider.
The thread count misconception
Most people think that the higher the thread count, the more comfortable it is. Well, that might not be necessarily true.
You want sheets that breathe. So that means cottons and microfibers. You also don’t want sheets that retain a lot of heat. So fleece and flannel are out.
And don’t get me started on silk sheets. Are you stuck in the ‘80s or something?
That stinky scent or ‘off’ smell
Your sheets could be fine, but they might be in serious need of a wash. Weeks of neglect means sweat, fur and other bodily fluids.
A bad compromise
So your partner needs very specific lumbar needs and you decided to go along with what was best for him/her and didn’t consider your own needs.
I’d say it’s high time you stop being a saint and get one that could suit both your needs.
Pillows
Pillows should also be regularly replaced or at least aired out every once in a while.
It’s also good to get one with good neck support. No one wants a lumpy pillow.
You don’t have a mattress topper
This a genius invention. So you’ve got a crappy mattress and can’t afford to get a new just yet.
This is a good alternative for that. It provides the support that a better bed could provide. It’s like giving your bed a facelift.
You don’t have a mattress cover
This is something that should go under your sheets. It protects you against mites and bacteria in the mattress itself.
And this protects the mattress from your body oils and accidental spills.
But so what, right? I can stand a couple more months with this bed. No big deal.
Well, don’t be so dismissive. Because here are some effects of what sleeping on a bad mattress could lead to.
Learn how to get a full night’s sleep in only 4 or less hours – click here
You’re not looking so great these days
Not getting enough sleep can make you look older and like you’re carrying all of the world’s problems on your shoulders.
You could get bags under your eyes, dark circles around them and overall duller complexion.
Diseases
You are also at more risk of getting heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
You’re more upholstered than your bed
Looking a little flabby? Sleeplessness will decrease your metabolism and ups the chances of you getting up and snacking.
Snoring
If your partner’s snoring is keeping you up at night. Your mattress might be the reason why he/she is hogging all the oxygen in the room.
Back pain
This is usually lower back pain. Which means you’re not getting enough lumbar support.
The worst part about this is that the pain can linger for days. So you’re never really pain-free.
Eczema and Acne
Have you noticed that you’re having a lot more breakouts recently? A dirty mattress or sheets that is home to a colony of mites might be triggering them.
Memory Loss
If you can’t recall what you did last Tuesday then this might be because you’re not getting enough REM sleep.
You’re not always in the mood
Sleeplessness alters your hormones. This definitely affects your libido.
So if you find yourself saying no for the umpteenth time this month, this might be a sign to change your bed.
You have insomnia
A couple of nights of sleeplessness have turned into full-blown insomnia now.
You can’t be expected to be as productive as you can be without getting the rest that you need.
You’re sluggish
You find yourself barely able to keep your eyes open and you have a designated coffee maker all to yourself.
This could even go as far as being depressed, which poses a lot more problems.
You’re having a hard time at school
You’ve read the page of this book for five times now and you still don’t get it. Having a hard time learning and focusing can be a sign that you’re not getting the quality sleep that everybody deserves.
You’re making poor decisions
Yeah, it’s a good idea to quit your job and get into a clown school. Or so you thought. Sleeplessness impairs your ability to solve problems and to make major life decisions.
The sniffles
You’re not supposed to wake up all congested when you don’t even have a cold to begin with.
This is especially bad if you asthma. A nasty mattress and sheets could make you have trouble breathing.
It’s creaky
Um, you’re supposed to be making the noise, not the bed.
Convinced that a good mattress is a good investment now? Trust me. This will save you time and might even save your life in the long run.
Don’t guess
We have a tendency to self-diagnose. It’s best to consult a doctor to know exactly what your body needs and what kind of setup you should get.
Do your research
Don’t just go to a mattress store and rely on the salespeople. Do prior research and see what’s out there.
Some beds advertise their products without any medical backup.
Get the premium
Like I said, you spend a third of your life sleeping. And the quality of sleep you get directly affects the quality of your waking life.
It can’t hurt to invest in a more expensive bed. After all, you get what you pay for.
Check how long it’s good for
Better quality beds offer a much longer warranty that cheap ones. This is a good thing to check when you’re canvassing.
A 10-year warranty is a good sign.
Don’t do it alone
If you’re going to be sharing the bed, then go mattress shopping with your partner so you can you consider both your needs.
Test it out
So you’re at the mattress store and you feel like you’re being sales-talked into getting this particular one.
Don’t just read the “specs.” Lie on it and try it out. You wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it first, right?
Factor in your health problems
You’ve had a bad back from an injury long ago. It’s smart to think about the quality of sleep you would be getting with all these individual needs factored in.
Bed care
Once you’ve gotten a fresh new mattress, consider getting and doing all the things that will help preserve it. I’ve mentioned a couple of them above.
A good night’s sleep
Whatever kind of bed you have or will want to get is directly tied to the quality of sleep that you’re getting.
And that ultimately tied to the quality of your life. You could avoid various health problems in the future if you figure out what bed is best for you.