Here’s the thing: buying a mattress is a big deal. For most of us, we spend considerably more time on our bed than on any other piece of furniture. Anything subpar and you will find yourself deep in regret — perhaps, for as long as you’re using the mattress.
That’s no way to live. The obvious solution here is, of course, to try and get it right the first time around. Sure, that’s no easy feat but it’s made easier if you know the questions to ask and the factors to consider?
And, if you don’t? Well, fret not, we’re coming to your immediate rescue… with this article. Here, we’ll share all the things you should consider and bear in mind before buying a mattress. Let’s get cracking!
When’s it time to get a new mattress?
First things first, you need to know when it’s actually time to get a new mattress. Of course, the easiest way to answer this question is to consider the age of your mattress.
There’s no set number of years but, generally, a good benchmark is eight years. Anything above or even near eight years, you’re due for a change. Needless to say, some mattresses will last longer while others are on their last stretch way before eight years.
Now, that’s the easy way. But, a better way is to listen to your body. No, we’re not about to launch into a new-age quote or anything like that.
All we mean is to consider things like whether you’re waking up with pains in various parts of your body? Do you have trouble falling asleep because you couldn’t find a comfortable position? Do you feel tired and groggy even with plenty of sleep? Is there a pain in your lower back that you can relieve in 15 to 30 minutes?
If you’re nodding your head and going “yes!” right now, well, the answer is pretty obvious, isn’t it? It’s time to toss your old one and get a new mattress.
What is your preferred sleeping position?
Are you a side-sleeper? Have trouble falling asleep unless you sleep on your back? Is sleeping on your stomach the most comfortable for you? Cannot fall asleep unless you’re sprawled out like a starfish?
Yes, it’s true that most of us turn and change positions throughout the night. However, more often than not, we tend to favour one or two positions over the others.
So, why are we suddenly talking about sleeping positions? Well, your sleeping position — or positions — should also be taken into account when you’re choosing a new mattress.
For instance, those who sleep on their back tend to need a medium-firm mattress. This type of mattress will help to keep their spine alignment neutral. In turn, this should help to ease tension and aches across the back.
Meanwhile, side sleepers would do well with soft mattresses. Here, the softer mattress will contour and mold to your body’s curve. This should get rid of things like hip pain and sore shoulders.
Besides that, side sleepers could benefit from memory foam mattresses as well. This type of mattress is designed to mold to your body. Once the pressure is gone, the memory foam will gradually bounce back.
For those of you who prefer to sleep on your stomach, you’ll want to go with a firm mattress. This should keep your hips in line with your shoulders to prevent you from sinking into the mattress as you sleep.
What type of mattress to opt for?
Generally, the four most popular types are memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid. Let’s take a closer look at each type.
As we’ve mentioned earlier, memory foam mattresses are made from a material that is designed to respond to weight and temperature. The mattress is supposed to contour to your body to relieve the pressure found on different parts of your body.
Then, there are latex mattresses, which are made from either natural or synthetic rubber. Latex mattresses respond quickly to pressure and offer rather bouncy support. Besides that, latex is also known to be rather cooling. So, if you’re always hot, you might want to consider this option.
Next up on the list is innerspring — one of the most popular types of mattresses. Innerspring mattresses have coil springs for support. These mattresses tend to be bouncy but supportive.
Finally, there’s the hybrid. Hybrid mattresses often feature a combination of two or more of the other types. Typically, you’ll usually find a combination of innerspring and memory foam. With hybrid mattresses, you get the best of both worlds: pressure relief and support.
What’s your budget?
There’s simply no avoiding this question. Generally, you get what you pay for. It’s also worth remembering that your mattress should be considered an investment in your well-being.
And, on the bright side, you should be able to find a good mattress across the spectrum.
The search for the perfect mattress
Now, once you have thoroughly considered the questions above, you should be that much nearer to finding the right mattress for you.
But, if you do find yourself somewhat lost during this search, give this mattress comparison tool a whirl. In no time, you’ll be on your brand new mattress — rediscovering the actual meaning of comfort and good night’s sleep.