Choosing Your Mattress ù Practical Tips

Sleeping takes up literally one-third of your entire life. And because it is one of lifeÆs most vital processes, it is important that one should perform this function with utmost care. This includes the choice of oneÆs sleeping equipment û the mattress.

When does one discard the old mattress and buy a new one? Fortunately, the signs are easy to recognize.

Are you comfortable in your sleep? Do you have any kind of sleeping trouble û back pains, neck cramps, some stiff muscles? Are there lumps in your bed that you can feel yourself? Is your mattress about or past 10 years old?

Any one sign listed above is reason enough for you to buy a new one. Your sleeping troubles may have been caused by your mattressÆ broken or non-functioning parts. Also, mattresses usually have a ten-year life span, give or take a few years on how you use them.

Types of mattresses
There are roughly three types of mattresses you can choose from: the old inner spring coil type, latex and memory foam (tempur-pedic beds), and the air (including sleep number beds) or water-filled types.

Whichever type you want, there are certain basic criteria you need to consider.

Support
In inner spring types, the foundation is the coils. The heavier the gauge, the better support it can give. And generally, the more coil springs it has, the more support it can give.

In the foam types (latex and the memory foam), the thicker the materials used, the better support it provides.

Air-filled and water-filled mattresses have their own conditions for better support. The current rage, sleep number beds (air-filled), can provide almost all support and comfort choices and is directly controlled by the user. Water-filled inflatable beds have their own choices (lesser or non-wave effects, controlled temperature) that can provide comfort.

Comfort
The upholstery is the topmost characteristic when one looks for comfort. It is this layer of foam and fabric that touches the body first, whatever type of bed you have.

However, softness or firmness depends on your taste and your bodyÆs orthopedic needs.
Too soft and your mattress loses the support your body needs. You might end up waking with aches or that stiff feeling.

The body needs a firm mattress but it should be soft enough to follow the bodyÆs contours so that no muscle is fatigued. Average (and heavier) body-type people usually sleep better on a firm mattress. Light body types generally sleep better on soft mattresses.

The rule of thumb is to know what you want.

Value and durability
DonÆt scrimp on a sleeping necessity that you will use for the next 10 years or so. Buy the one with the highest qualities if you want to sleep soundly. This is, of course, after you have assessed all the necessary top-of-the-line qualities of your choice, with the price you think is right, and with the correct warranty conditions.

Most people take sleeping for granted. They forget that it is one of lifeÆs most basic survival mechanisms, just as essential as eating and breathing. Choosing its right equipment û a sleeping mattress û is just as important.