Mattress Matters: Choose The Right One For A Good Night's Sleep

When it comes to sleep, a mattress plays a key role in ensuring you get a good night’s sleep. A poll by the National Sleep Foundation in 2011 found that nine out of 10 respondents said a comfortable mattress and/or comfortable pillows are important for getting good sleep.

However, with so many options to choose from—coir, spring, memory foam, air and much more—it can get difficult to zero in on the right one, especially if you have cervical or back pain. Here’s some help at hand:

Go For a Mattress That’s Right For You

Unlike popular belief, not all hard mattresses are good for you. An article published on Harvard Health Publishing says,“one survey of 268 people with low back pain found that those who slept on very hard mattresses had the poorest sleep quality”.

Go for a mattress that offers you better spine support and is comfortable to sleep on.Try to buy a mattress that comes with a return policy so you can test it out first to see if it works for you. Also, read the details carefully—materials used, longevity and so on—before purchasing a mattress. Don’t fall for “doctor approved” or “orthopaedic” labels on the mattress.

Take Care of Your Mattress

The best way to increase the longevity of your expensive mattress is by flipping and rotating it often—once is two weeks is good. This way the mattress wears more evenly from all sides. Jumping on the bed can damage the coils and fibre, leading to faster wear and tear.

Air your mattress and vacuum it regularly to remove dust, particles, hair and odour. You can invest in a mattress protector, which will protect the mattress from stains and dust. Make sure your mattress is always dry. In case of spillage, leave it out in the sun to get rid of all the moisture, which can be a breeding ground for mould.

When to Change Your Mattress

Even if your mattress comes with a 15-year warranty, it does not guarantee that the product will last that long. Most mattress need to be replaced between seven and 10 years.

The best way to judge if your mattress’s life is up is by listening to your own body. If you start waking up with a pain in your back every morning or you get better sleep in a hotel bed than at home, it’s time you go for a new mattress.