Normally, we spend 7-8 hours a day in our bed.
So, you’ll probably agree that the bed is bound to be comfortable to ensure you a restorative sleep.
Since a mattress makes up the most of your bed, it’s fair to suggest that there’s an important relationship between your mattress and your feeling well rested in the morning (or, feeling not rested at all). So, yes, the mattress can be the one to blame for all your problems!
Want to know how it works and what you can do about it? Keep reading.
How Does Your Mattress Make You Wake Up Feeling Tired and Unrested?
Studies prove that a new mattress may drastically improve the quality of your sleep.
At the same time, an old bed can prevent you from waking up rested in several ways. Here they are listed below.
#1 It May Cause Your Neck or Lower Back to Hurt
Chronic lower back or neck pain, in many cases, is linked to sleeping on an unsuitable mattress. An unsuitable mattress is the one that doesn’t keep your spine in correct alignment throughout the night. To understand if this is your case, check these boxes:
● the pain is similar to how you feel the day after a good workout;
● it gets better either on its own or after a few stretching exercises;
● when sleeping on a different mattress, you wake up without any unpleasant symptoms.
The problem with lower back and neck pains is that they can become chronic. If it happens, the pain will almost constantly haunt you, making it difficult to live your day and fall asleep at night. As a result, you will be constantly tired and irritated.
#2 It May Trigger Your Allergies
Over time, mattresses accumulate dead cells of our skin, body sweat, animal hair, and other tiny particles, which makes them a perfect home for dust mites.
These microscopic insects can cause such diseases as:
● allergies;
● eczema;
● bronchial asthma;
● chronic cough and laryngitis.
All of these conditions require a consultation with your doctor, but you can try to decrease the symptoms and improve the quality of sleep if you regularly clean the mattress and air it.
Also, you may want to buy a hypoallergenic cover.
“A zippered encasement will not only protect you from inhaling allergens but also prevent bed bugs from thriving inside the mattress, which is especially important if you live in an apartment building.”
#3 It May Provoke Pressure Points
When you’re lying on a bed, the surface under some parts of your body experiences more compression than under others. Depending on your sleeping position, these body parts may include:
● head
● shoulders;
● hips and buttocks;
● knees;
● heels and feet.
These areas, also known as pressure points, have more contact with a mattress surface and their position actually determines whether your spine will maintain its alignment or not.
Now, a good mattress, the one that is suitable for you, should be able to reduce pressure in any position in which you decide to sleep, thus making you comfortable and ensuring proper spine alignment.
“Medium-firm mattresses are the best for relieving pressure points in average-weight sleepers, while firmer mattresses can cause too much resistance with your body, leading to restless sleep and waking up with aches.”
#4 It May Sleep Hot
Memory foam mattresses are the most popular option on the market today. However, even high-quality models have one major drawback:
They trap your body’s heat instead of dispersing it, causing you to sleep hot.
Over time, this drawback may become even more pronounced.
Studies confirm that decreased body temperature is linked to better sleep, as this contributes to the production of melatonin. At the same time, disrupted thermoregulation at night is often associated with insomnia or difficulty falling asleep.
“In order to ensure a good night’s rest, use a gel mattress topper that has a cooling effect. Or, set your thermostat between 60-67°F, as it’s an optimal sleep temperature.”
#5 It May Cause Snoring
Snoring, in fact, can ruin not only yours but also your partner’s or neighbor’s sleep. You may not even know this, but those loud sounds prevent you from falling into deep stages of sleep.
But here’s the good news:
It can be your mattress who causes it.
You see, those who sleep on their back are more likely to develop snoring. If your mattress is not suited for side or stomach sleeping, you may be subconsciously forced to sleep on your back (and hence snore).
In order to get rid of this unpleasant problem, you should consider getting a new mattress that will make you comfortable in your favorite sleeping position.
How to Choose a Mattress That Will Help You Sleep Better
So, you’ve learned how your mattress can prevent you from waking up refreshed.
Knowing this, if you do decide to invest in a new bed, consider the tips below.
Learn About the Options on the Market
Today, you will likely choose among the following options:
● innerspring mattresses, which combine a coil system (individually pocketed or solid) and one or two comfort layers above it;
● foam mattresses, which are made of either polyurethane or memory foam;
● latex mattresses, which are constructed from layers of natural latex (created using either Talalay or Dunlop method);
● hybrid mattresses, which consist of a spring system and several layers of foam and/or latex.
Each of these options has its pros and cons, so choose carefully before making a decision.
Find the Right Firmness
The best way to understand how this or that firmness level feels is, of course, by testing a mattress at the store. However, aside from your personal preference, it’s important to make your choice based on your favorite sleeping position.
The most universal option is medium, which is around 5-7 points on a scale from 1 to 10 where 10 is the firmest. Such mattresses usually provide a balanced feel, so they can work for all sleeping positions.
However, if you sleep on your side most of the time, you may feel more comfortable on a softer bed (3-5 out of 10).
Still confused? You may refer to this Happysleepyhead guide with their best picks for starters.
Don’t Go Cheap
Good sleep is the key to health.
And you don’t want to save on your health.
Spending less than $500 on a mattress is not recommended, even if the deal seems to be super beneficial. After all, a mattress is a long-term investment, and if it’s a good one, it will quickly pay off by helping you wake up well rested.