A sleep expert has revealed why it’s not always your pre-bed routine, work life balance and diet that are to blame for your poor sleep, but your mattress.
Olivia Arezzolo, from Sydney, said Google has reported a 20 per cent increase in sleep problems since last year – and while there are many things that are difficult to change about your sleep, your mattress isn’t one of them.
‘The right mattress can make a huge difference in giving you good quality rest,’ Olivia told FEMAIL.
So what are the four reasons why your mattress is stopping you from sleeping?
A sleep expert has revealed why it’s not always your pre-bed routine, work life balance and diet that are to blame for your poor sleep, but your mattress (Olivia Arezzolo pictured)
Olivia Arezzolo , from Sydney, said Google has reported a 20 per cent increase in sleep problems since last year – and you can help this with the right mattress (stock image)
1. It doesn’t have the right consistency
The first thing you need to look at with a mattress is the consistency:
‘If it’s not designed for your sleep profile, you will end up in a lot of pain and won’t sleep well,’ Olivia said.
‘If a mattress is too firm, it could contribute to pressure sores. But if it’s too soft, you’ll sink in too much and your spine won’t be aligned – which is what your mattress is supposed to help.’
To get around this, the sleep expert recommends that as much as possible you try the mattress before you buy it.
‘If it’s a bed in a box situation, then you should definitely make sure it has a free trial period,’ Olivia added.
Olivia (pictured) said the best mattresses are made of memory foam, as it helps with pressure relief and prevents lower back pain
2. It’s made of the wrong material
The second thing you need to look at when analysing your mattress is what it is made of.
‘Memory foam is the best material for pressure relief,’ Olivia said.
‘Because the mattress conforms to your body, it distributes your body weight evenly, thus helping to avoid pressure sores.’
The expert said it’s worth spending some money to invest in a decent mattress when you buy a new one:
‘Some 90 per cent of Australians will struggle with back pain at some point – and a bad mattress can contribute to this,’ Olivia said.
Again, make sure you go for a mattress that has a free trial period so you can return if it’s not right.
3. It’s too old
The third thing between you and a good night’s sleep is how old your mattress is.
‘Under times of stress, our bodies run hot – we have a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system which increases our heart rate and core body temperature,’ Olivia said.
‘Some mattresses will exacerbate your night sweats, especially if they are old, or if you sink in too much.’
The best way to counteract this is to seek a mattress with temperature control – which is often made of memory foam.
‘Most memory foam mattresses have multiple layers, and those with temperature control have a top layer which promotes air flow,’ Olivia said.
‘Some mattresses will exacerbate your night sweats, especially if they are old, or if you sink in too much,’ the expert (pictured) said
4. It doesn’t have the right features
Finally, if you’ve noticed you’ve been sleeping less well lately, you’re not alone.
The coroanvirus pandemic has meant many sleepless and anxious nights for men and women, and even if you’re sleeping soundly, your partner might not be.
‘To deal with this, you need a mattress with zero partner disturbance,’ Taylor said.
Many companies sell mattresses with neutral buoyancy, meaning any movement is contained and any ‘rolling together’ is stopped.
To find out more about Olivia Arezzolo, you can visit her website here.