What Mattress Do I Need?
It's typically time to buy a new mattress when the old one has been used on a nightly basis for at least eight years, when the old one has stains or tears in it or when the old one is beginning to hollow out and sag in places. Deciding what mattress you need and buying it requires a bit of research and preparation.
-
Size
-
The number and physical size of people who'll be sleeping on the mattress are the primary considerations in deciding on the mattress that's needed. A standard guideline is that a mattress should be at least 6 inches longer than the height of the tallest person who'll be sleeping on it. The mattress's width should provide enough room for both people to comfortably place their elbows behind their head without bumping into their partner. Restless sleepers usually need more width in a mattress than deep, quiet sleepers.
Feel
-
The feel of a mattress depends on what type of mattress it is. An innerspring mattress, the most common type in the modern marketplace, provides support mostly at the hips, shoulders, head and feet. The support it offers is firmer in the center and softer at the head and feet. A foam mattress conforms to the body more than an innerspring mattress. Air mattresses and water mattresses tend to conform to the entire body more than the other types of mattresses.
-
Testing
-
Because a mattress is a big investment, some retailers offer 30- or 60-day trial periods, after which a customer can exchange the mattress for a different one if he isn't satisfied. When testing a mattress, a customer should try it with his most frequently used sleeping positions. A person typically changes sleeping positions as many as 40 times during the night. It's important to roll onto both sides of the body, the back and the stomach in determining if the mattress is a good fit.
Health concerns
-
A customer with a bad back must be certain the mattress will provide a good night's rest. When sleeping, the body should retain the spine's natural S curve. A mattress that's too soft could distort the back arch and cause a backache. That doesn't mean a customer should buy an overly firm mattress. For most people, including those with bad backs, a combination of firmness and comfort makes for a good fit.
-
References
- Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Selecting a Comfortable Mattress
- Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Selecting an Innerspring Mattress
- "The Truth About Back Pain: A Revolutionary, Individualized Approach to Diagnosing and Healing Back Pain"; Todd Sinett and Sheldon Sinett; 2009
- Photo Credit matratze 1 image by Carmen Steiner from Fotolia.com
