How Important Is a Good Mattress?

Bed with a comfortable mattress

Getting a good night's rest can make a difference in your productivity and comfort levels during the day. According to Elizabeth Mayhew, a lifestyle expert at Todayshow.com, you should "never rely on labels to tell you which mattress will give you the right support."

Features

To prevent back strain, a good mattress should support your body while you sleep. It needs to offer the right firmness and thickness for your body type.

Function

A mattress offers a place to rest your body when you are sleeping or just relaxing. The best mattress will offer functionality both when you are lying down and when you are sitting up in bed.

Size

A good mattress that is big enough to fit the bed size prevents aches and pains that come from having portions of your body in contact with the hard surface of your bed.

Types

There is no single type of mattress that is good for all people, according to Richard A. Staehler, MD, a physiatrist with the NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin. Try out a mattress for a few minutes to know if it is a good mattress for you.

Benefits

According to the Better Sleep Council, your mattress has a major impact on the quality and quantity of your sleep and therefore how you function and feel every day.

References

• TODAYshow.com: Shopping for a mattress
• BetterSleep.org: Create a Sleep Sanctuary for a Happier, Healthier You
• Spine-health.com: Mattress Guidelines for Sleep Comfort