Time for a new mattress? You’ll know it when:
1. You awaken stiff, achy, tired, or in pain.
2. You have circles under your eyes, and it isn’t because you stayed out late.
3. Your mattress isn’t young anymore. It sags, droops, or the fabric is falling apart.
4. Your current mattress is over ten years old, or you bought it in a previous decade.
Mattresses have lifetimes just like people do. After only 5 years, your standard innerspring mattress simply does not give you the same support as it used to. It sags and fills up with bacteria and dust mites over time, which we think is pretty gross.
Shopping for a new mattress doesn’t have to be a pain. If you shop with a little savvy, a little shopping “know how,” the experience won’t even be a little overwhelming. For a few simple shopping tips that will make you an expert mattress buyer in no time, finding the perfect mattress for your needs with less than a modicum of fuss, keep on reading!
First: what’s your type?
Sometimes selecting a great mattress can be a truly daunting and confusing process, what with all the distinct mattress types available. The following guide will help you select the perfect type of mattress.
memory foam beds: Made from NASA technology, these allergy-resistant beds conform to your body’s shape.
Pros: memory foam beds are hypoallergenic and conform to support every curve of your body. They alleviate pressure points – such as the hips – and the average memory foam mattress has an extra-long lifetime: upwards of 20 years.
Cons: Generally speaking, memory foam mattresses tend to be warmer than other mattress types as their dense structure retains more body heat. Sometimes, these mattresses have a mild chemical odor, depending on the factory and country of origin and the quality control regulations they were manufactured under.
Innerspring mattresses: these are your “classic” mattresses, the traditional ones that support your body on a bed of wire coils.
Pros: Time tested, classic, relatively inexpensive, fairly dependable and easy enough to maintain.
Cons: Innerspring mattresses cannot evenly distribute weight. They are hollow inside, save for the coils, so they are absolutely ideal living quarters for various bacteria, allergens, and dust mites (the infamous “bed bugs”).
Air Mattresses: These beds are highly affordable, lightweight, and portable. They can be inflated or deflated whenever you wish, making storage and space-saving a breeze.
Pros: easy to stow away, these air mattresses are feather light and are therefore great for campers, guests, and singletons. They often include electronically controlled air pockets for adjustable firmness.
Cons: This bed is filled with air and is easy to puncture, in many ways like a balloon or a bike tire. Additionally, these beds do not give you even support while you sleep.
Water Mattresses: Full of water, this blast from the past is super soft.
Pros: Soft for those who like it that way, newer models are more stable than their 1970s counterparts.
Cons: unfortunately, these beds weigh a ton, and they can get very cold; they should be avoided by persons who suffer from motion sickness or chronic back pain. If your partner moves, you’ll catch a wave.
Second: be comfortable.
If you get enough sleep, you’ll spend a third of your life in bed – so you’ll need a comfortable, supportive mattress. There are different layers of firmness available and a variety of mattresses that will all feel different.
Ideally, a mattress should keep your spinal alignment parallel to that of a person standing upright (with good posture), allowing for a sort of weak backwards ‘S’ curve. Choosing the wrong mattress or practicing improper sleeping posture will likely lead to back pain, particularly in your lumbar region. Mattresses that are far too soft, for example, will not give your back proper support, while mattresses that are far too firm will put too much pressure on your joints. You may have heard that a firm mattress is best for your back, but the truth is that firmness is less important than even support. The trick of it is this: so long as your mattress allows for an even distribution of weight and pressure, it can be at any firmness level you want.
For best results, test out some floor model mattresses at your local warehouse or hotel and find the perfect soft/firm ratio for you. Then get online and shop around for the best deals. Online shopping has a much wider selection than brick and mortar stores. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect firmness level for your body, consider buying a memory foam mattress with removable softness layers.
Third: choose a size.
Each and every unique mattress size will suit a unique need.
Standard twin, also known as single, mattresses are great for children, bunk beds, dorm rooms, and guest bedrooms. They measure 39” wide by 75” long, which probably won’t cut it for tall women and couples.
An alternative to the regular twin is the twin extra long mattress, adding 5” in length for those who need the room. The problem with extra long twin beds is that it might be a pain to find sheets for them, though once again you can almost certainly find them online.
Double or “full” mattresses allow significantly more room for moving, rolling, and stretching out. The average full mattress clocks in at about 54” in width by about 75” in height, which may prove (once again) a little short for some people. But for singles who find twin beds too crowded or uncomfortable, these are perfect fits.
Do you plan on sharing your bed with a partner? If so, you really shouldn’t consider anything smaller than a queen sized bed. At 60” wide by 80” long, they are great for those with extra height and couples who like to get close.
A king mattress may be the most expensive, but it allows the most room for anyone who really likes their space. King beds are different from other beds in their measurement variations, so you’ll need to consider whether you’re more interested in a long bed or a wide bed. There are two types of king mattresses:
The standard king, or eastern king, mattress is 76” wide by 80” long, making it 4” wider than its counterpart.
The western king, or California king, mattress is 72” wide by 84” long, making it 4” longer than its counterpart.
Fourth: shop smart.
So, you’re going to test out a new memory foam mattress. First, you’ll need to wear some comfortable clothing. Lie in the position in which you normally sleep for several minutes. Pay particular attention to the effects of the mattress on the heavier parts of your body: is the mattress giving your hips, shoulders, and lower back the support they need? Move around a little and test how well the mattress absorbs your motions, and how many vibrations make it to the other side.
Keep the following questions in mind as you shop for a mattress:
1. Where is your mattress manufactured, and which company makes it? Are they reputable?
2. Will the mattress aggravate any of your existing allergies or chronic joint pains?
3. Is it cost-efficient?
4. Just how confident am I in this mattress? Can I rely on it to deliver comfortable sleep for the years ahead?
5. How well does it support me?
6. Is there a warranty, and if so, how good or sound is the policy?
7. Will I be sharing this bed with someone, and what are this person’s needs?
8. How much space will I need to accommodate my movement and size?
Always keep in mind that the sales associates you speak with should be competent, knowledgeable, and friendly or welcoming. If the person helping you can’t answer your questions, find someone else who can.
The fifth question you need to ask is: how can I further enhance the quality of my sleep?
In addition to sleeping on a supportive memory foam mattress, there are a few things you can do to improve your sleep:
1. Drink some soothing chamomile (or other decaf) tea before going to bed.
2. Try to get some exercise in about four hours before you go to bed, but do not exercise within two hours of going to bed.
3. Create and practice a regular sleep ritual. This may include reading, listening to soothing music, stretching, or breathing deeply. This will signify to your body that it’s time to sleep soon.
4. Consider eating a very light snack before going to bed to avoid mid-slumber hunger pangs. Dairy products contain tryptophan, which induces sleep.
5. Go to sleep in a cool (NOT cold) room on a room-temperature mattress, and be sure to wear as many blankets as you need to keep warm. If you have a memory foam mattress, consider using fewer blankets or sleeping in a cooler room.
6. Keep a nightstand near your bed where you can place books, water, or perhaps a music player; anything you may need to access easily before drifting off to sleep. This will keep you from getting up and feeling active.
7. If you need to get up, use a nightlight instead of turning on bright lights. This will prevent your body from thinking it’s daytime.
8. Every once in a while, it’s okay to spoil yourself: take a hot bath about 90 minutes before sleeping. The drop in body temperature after exiting the tub will relax your body and make you feel sleepier.
9. Write your thoughts in a journal before bedtime. This will relieve you of worries and keep your mind still.
10. If all else fails, try breathing deeply and slowly while counting breaths and the seconds between them (the modern day version of “counting sheep”).
With these considerations in mind, you will surely find the perfect mattress for you!