Choosing the Right Mattress

One of the few moments of peace people get in life is a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, a good night’s sleep can be ruined by choosing the wrong mattress. Anyone who has shopped for a mattress before knows how difficult they are to decide on. Choosing the right mattress is different for everyone. There are those who need a softer bed to fall into a deep sleep. Still, others require a firm mattress for back problems. Choosing the best possible mattress will require a little education on the difference between existing mattresses, and some field work—testing the mattress first hand.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Learn about mattresses before you buy one

1. Choose between foam and innerspring mattresses. Lie down on the mattress for about 5 minutes. Move around. Try it on your side and on your back. Do not lie on your belly, because this is bad for your back.

2. Decide on an innerspring mattress if you want a bed that has a cushion feel to it. Open-coil is most common. However, it is recommended that you purchase pocketed-coil. Each spring is enveloped in fabrics that reduce vibrations from traveling from one side of the bed to the other. This means that your sleeping partner can move around, and you will not even notice it.

3. Inquire about the gauge number on the bed coils to a sales representative. Keep in mind that the lower gauge will yield a thicker spring, resulting in a sounder sleep for both sleeping partners. When you are shopping for your mattress, do not take a mattress that the salesman tells you is just like the one you want. That won't work. Be consistent about the type of mattress you need. Ask the store to order the mattress you want..

4. Purchase a foam mattress if you want a softer bed that conforms to your body. There is a distinct difference between natural foam and synthetic foam. Natural foam is good for people who live in warmer climates. The natural feel is soft, and quickly conforms to your body, compared to the slow and firmer memory foam mattresses.

5. Choose a synthetic mattress, such as the Tempur-Pedic mattress series, if you live in a cold climate, or want a firmer bed that conforms to the body. Tempur-Pedic mattresses are synthetically made from viscoelastic, a dense form of urethane.

Choose support for your mattress

6. Get a new box spring to go under the new mattress. The box spring ultimately supports the mattress, and as you want the correct box spring, the best thing to do is get one the same day you purchase a mattress. The time-inflicted damage on box springs is not self evident. Be sure to change your box spring when you purchase a new bed, even if you think it is undamaged. Avoid platform box springs. These do not support the bed.

7. Select the grid box spring to go under a firm bed, especially if you need extra back support. The grid box spring is very stiff.

8. Purchase a coil box spring for the best comfort. These springs conform wherever you lay on the bed, while maintaining strength and firmness throughout the rest of the bed.

Resources

• Bed and box spring
• Memory Foam