How A Mattress Can Affect Your Health

Getting enough sound, restful sleep on a nightly basis is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health. Lack of sleep can affect every aspect of your life from academic studies and job performance to personal relationships with partners, friends and coworkers. Getting too little sleep can also have devastating effects on your health, and can lead to serious medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, breathing difficulties, diabetes, a weakened immune system and obesity. Lack of sound sleep also affects your mood, memory and ability to think clearly, and can also lead to severe depression.

Sleeping soundly requires an environment that’s conducive to sleep, which includes sleeping on a comfortable bed in a cool, quiet and darkened room free from televisions, tablets and similar distractions. The quality of your sleep can also be affected by your mattress, which in turn also affects your health. Your mattress’s type, age and condition play important roles in ensuring you regularly get the uninterrupted rest you need to wake up relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the day. Your mattress also needs to be made from the right materials, as well as the right size, type and comfort level for your particular body shape and weight.

Mattresses typically need replacing every 6 to 8 years, depending upon the materials used and the quality of its construction. Give serious thought to replacing it sooner, however, if the mattress is in poor condition or if you’re consistently having difficulty falling asleep due to aches, pains or severe allergic reactions. Often, there’s almost immediate relief from many sleep ailments, including back pain, neck pain and insomnia when an old, sagging mattress is replaced. It’s important, however, to test several mattress types to find the sleep system that offers the proper level of comfort and support for your unique situation. When that time comes, here are some suggestions for choosing your new mattress:

  • Choose the right comfort Level. Mattresses typically come in comfort levels ranging from firm to extra plush, so test each type before reaching a decision. People with back and neck problems often prefer firm or cushion firm mattresses, since they relax the lower back muscles and keep the spine properly aligned. Plush and ultra-plush mattresses combine softness with support. They’re often preferred by people who sleep on their backs or sides. Stomach sleepers, however, may find they need more support to keep the spine from sagging.
  • Size does matter. Since people come in all shapes, weights and sizes, there’s no such thing as a ”one size fits all” mattress. Standard sizes range from Twin mattresses that are 38” wide by 75” long to California Kings that measure 72” by 84”. In between are Full mattresses (53” x 75”), Queen mattresses (60” x 80”) and King size mattresses (76” x 80”). For comfortable, uninterrupted sleep, it’s important to choose a mattress that matches your body size and shape.
  • Mattress Construction. The type of materials used in a mattress can also affect the quality of your sleep, and consequently your health. Here are the 3 most popular types:
  • Innerspring Mattresses. Being affordable, it’s not surprising that more innerspring mattresses are sold than any other type. They provide support through a series of steel coils covered by a padded comfort layer made from foam or fabric. Generally, the higher the coil count, the greater the level of support.
  • Memory Foam Mattresses. Filled with a polyurethane foam originally developed by NASA, the sleeper’s body heat causes memory foam to soften and mold to his or her body. Memory foam mattresses also absorb motion, so tossing and turning won’t disturb your sleeping partner. Memory foam resists mites, mold, bedbugs and allergens that can trigger reactions, which make them a good choice for asthmatics and allergy sufferers.
  • Latex Mattresses are also allergen resistant, and are considered the healthiest, longest lasting and eco-friendliest mattresses sold. Made from either natural or synthetic rubber, they provide the support back and shoulder pain sufferers need to rest comfortably, and are also a good choice for heavier-bodied sleepers. With proper care, quality latex mattresses will last 15 years or more.

Confused? There’s no need to be. Just stop by one of Sit ‘n Sleep’s Southern California mattress superstores.  The trained Sleep Consultants on duty 7 Days a week will help you select a mattress that’s right for your size, body shape, weight and lifestyle. Check these 4 easy steps to see how easy it is to select a new mattress that will improve your quality of sleep for a happier, healthier life!