Shoes. Tires. Mattress. The three things that keep you off the ground are the most important things you can own.
We regret that Happy Sleeper Mattress & Furniture Store can only offer limited advice when it comes to shopping for shoes and tires. All we can say is to get ones that fit your feet and your rims, respectively.
But if you’re shopping for a mattress, then we’d love to tell you a few things. A whole lot of things, actually. An ultimate guide to mattress shopping for the new year, no less!
Why Is a Good Mattress Important?
We don’t have to convince you of the importance of a good’s night sleep. You have under-slept in the past. You didn’t enjoy the feeling afterward. That is reason enough to own a mattress that doesn’t make you feel like you’re trying to fall asleep on a burlap sack full of shale gravel.
Choosing a mattress you can sleep comfortably on is more important to your health than you might realize. According to John Hopkins Medicine (to whom we defer on all medical matters), chronic poor sleep can increase your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and even certain types of cancer.
In no uncertain terms, your body’s natural ability to heal and regulate itself hinges on a good night’s sleep. A healthy lifestyle is anything but until you have a good mattress!
What Makes a Mattress Good?
A good mattress does three things well:
- Supports the natural curvature of your spine. Maintaining a good posture keeps the muscles and ligaments of your back relaxed – the state in which they are best able to heal themselves.
- Keeps you at a comfortable temperature. That is typically around 65 °F, although the best temperature for sleep varies with personal preference.
- Fits your budget and your bedroom. A hand-stitched California king mattress from Italy would probably give you the best night’s sleep of your life. Sadly, its five-digit price tag and 72″x84″ dimensions are two reasons why it is probably impractical for your lifestyle.
What Is the Best Type of Mattress?
There are four major types of mattresses:
- Foam. If you choose a foam mattress, choose the type that best supports your sleep goals. Research suggests that memory foam can decrease aches and pain, as well as the time it takes to fall asleep. It also shows that latex foam can help sleepers maintain a better posture and stay at a more comfortable temperature. Don’t rule out polyfoam if you’re on a tight budget. The most economical foam mattresses are usually made of it.
- Innerspring. Innerspring mattresses are often favored by two types of sleepers: restless, and hot. Restless sleepers find it easier to switch position on a mattress with a little extra bounce. Hot sleepers often feel cooler when they are supported by coils rather than foam.
- Hybrid. Hybrid mattresses combine cushy foam and shock-absorptive coils. They are intended to represent the best of both worlds, but often fail to deliver all the respective advantages of an exclusively foam or innerspring mattress. Even so, many sleepers find that hybrid mattresses provide the best balance of coolness, back support and pressure point relief.
- Adjustable air. Some people are advised to improve their circulation by keeping their head and legs elevated while they sleep. Others share a bed with a partner who prefers a different firmness level than their own. Both might agree that a cool, supportive adjustable air mattress is best.
How Do You Pick the Best Mattress?
Ultimately, the ideal mattress for your unique needs boils down to personal preference. That’s why it’s so important to:
- Shop in person. Like a pair of shoes, you shouldn’t buy a mattress without first testing it out. Nothing substitutes for a visit to the mattress store, where first-hand experience lets you quickly rule out unsuitable options – and home in on your favorite.
- Take your time. You can’t get a good sense of how well a mattress supports your spine until you’ve lain on it for 15 to 20 minutes. If you share a bed with a restless sleeper and are frequently disturbed by their movements, ask someone to jostle the other side of a mattress while you’re testing it.
- Try after you buy. Consider purchasing a mattress from a manufacturer that offers a long trial period. So long as you find the conditions of return agreeable, you can take comfort knowing you’ll have 30 days to 1 year before deciding whether you’ll commit.
- Wait for a mattress sale. If you can make do with your current mattress for the time being, then there’s no harm in waiting for a mattress sale. That way you can save a bundle on a quality brand like Restonic or Spring Air!
If you live in the greater St. Cloud area, then you don’t have to wait for a sale to get the best deal on your new mattress. Happy Sleeper Mattress & Furniture Store offers a wide selection of affordably priced mattresses and bedroom furniture in Waite Park, MN! Come visit our showroom at 4 24th Ave S today, or contact us to learn more about what we have in store!