Tips for Buying a New Mattress

Sleep is essential for our mental as well as physical well-being. As we sleep, the body tries to undo the effect of stress that it was subjected to during the day. One wakes up feeling refreshed and full with energy to carry out the daily tasks. This is the reason why sleep deprivation affects one's energy levels and leaves one highly irritable and fatigued.

While sleep deprivation may be linked to stress or other medical causes, it's possible that the mattress you have been sleeping on, may be the reason why you have trouble falling asleep. Sleeping on a hard mattress can certainly cause your muscles to become sore.

So, if you keep tossing and turning at night, and wake up with a stiff back, it's time you take a look at your old mattress. If it looks worn out, you need to head out to the market to buy a new one.

People who are already suffering from back problems, need to be even more careful while choosing a new mattress. Since the market is flooded with various brands, you need to do a little research before you buy a new mattress. It would be best if you know what to look for in a new mattress.

Based on the filling material, mattresses are broadly classified into innerspring mattresses, memory foam and latex foam mattresses. Water beds and inflatable air mattresses are also available in the market, but these are not as popular as spring or foam mattresses.

Open-ended springs, continuous coil springs and pocket springs are some of the spring systems that are used in these mattresses. The durability of these mattresses depend on a variety of factors. These include the number of springs used, the gauge of wire and the arrangement of springs within the mattress.

The thickness of the layer of padding that covers the spring system also has a great impact on the comfort the mattress may provide.

The foam gets softened by the body's heat and contours itself according to one's body shape. The density of the foam along with the depth of the mattress are the factors that must be considered while buying a memory foam mattress.

The attributes that one must look for include durability, flexibility and resilience. These depend on the support system of the mattress. Cotton, wool, coir fiber, and various types of foam are the most commonly used mattress fillings.

While it's extremely important to be aware of the attributes of a good mattress, there are some other aspects that must be considered. Sleeping posture is one important aspect that must be taken into account.

The thickness and the texture of mattress is extremely important as well. Gone are the days, when hard mattresses were thought of as good for one's back. These days, medium-firm mattresses, which are neither too hard nor too soft, are considered to be the best for back sleepers.

Since the spine is slightly curved, it's important that the mattress supports the body along its curves. Both hard as well as soft mattresses don't provide the required support as well as alignment of the spine for back-sleepers. Those who sleep on their sides would benefit from using a soft mattress, whereas stomach sleepers can opt for a firm mattress.

Out of the various types of mattresses that are available in the market, the spring mattresses have lost out to memory foam or latex mattresses in competition. Foam mattresses have emerged as a preferred choice.

While buying a foam mattress, you must take into account the mattress depth, thickness of the padding, fabric used for padding and the density of the foam.

The density of foam must be between 4 to 6 lb. This means that a cubic foot of foam must weight between 4 to 6 pounds. If the density is less, the mattress may lose its resilience. Also make sure that you buy the right-sized mattress.

Before you buy a mattress, lie down on it to see if it's comfortable enough. Buy it only if it feels comfortable and also provides support to the spine.

This was some information on what should one be looking for in a new mattress. Not only would you be shelling out your hard-earned money on a mattress, you would be sleeping on it for many years to come.

Choosing the right mattress is extremely important as this has a lot to do with your chance of getting peaceful and restorative sleep at night. It's always better to be well-informed, rather than making a purchase while being clueless about the attributes of a good mattress.