Shopping for a mattress

If your first words in the morning are "Oh, my aching back!" instead of "Oh, what a beautiful morning!" you may be among the 85 percent of people who, at some time in their lives, suffer from back trouble. 

Unfortunately, the one thing back pain sufferers seem to need the most is quality sleep for recuperation, which is elusive at best. A lack of quality sleep can lead to a vicious circle of daytime sleepiness, inability to carry out daytime pain management techniques such as exercising, followed by even less sleep at night.

Many people reach for pain medications, but they often find that the side effects of the medicines also interfere with their sleep. Some try to sleep in a chair or recliner because their back hurts too much when they lie flat. Others believe that sleeping on a firmer mattress will do the trick, but in reality, their mattress, bedding and sleep habits may actually be contributing to the problem, rather than helping it.

Although the average person spends one-third of their life in bed, many shoppers are not sure how to actually select a mattress that will help them sleep better than ever before. And with options ranging from innerspring, foam, and air mattresses to waterbeds, adjustable beds and futons, there's a lot to choose from!

To help mattress shoppers find their own best match for a good night's rest, the Better Sleep Council recommends a simple SLEEP test:

- Select a mattress
- Lie down in your normal sleep position
- Evaluate the level of comfort and support
- Educate yourself about the differences of each selection
- Partners should try each mattress together. Both you and your
  partner should evaluate any mattress that you are interested
  in for comfort, support and size
- Ask questions of the salesperson.

Don't be afraid to lie down and test it. Get into your normal sleep position and relax anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes to really gauge how you feel. It's worth spending a few extra minutes in the showroom finding the perfect match for you.

When comparing your final selections, remember that a 'bargain' mattress and foundation may end up costing you more in the long run in terms of your sleep quality and health. Shop for the best value, not the lowest price. Considering that you'll probably be using your bed more than any other product you own - including your car, TV, computer or cell phone - the mattress you sleep on is one of the best cost-per-day values on the market.

Comfort
Comfort level is a personal preference. Do you like soft support or is firmer more your style? What about your partner? Gone are the days when the mantra was 'the firmer the mattress, the better the support.' A host of options are available to give you the comfort you want and the function you need. You'll sleep best when your bed helps you feel cradled, cozy and secure.

Support
If your mattress provides too little support, you can develop back pain. However, if the mattress is too hard for you, you can experience uncomfortable pressure. A good mattress and foundation will gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same shape as a person with good standing posture. Pay special attention to your shoulders, hips, and lower back - the heaviest parts.

Size does matter
A healthy sleeper moves anywhere from 40 to 60 times a night, including some dozen full body turns. You need freedom of motion while you sleep and while getting to sleep. If you are tall and you have the space in your home, you should be sleeping on a queen-sized mattress or larger. After all, if you sleep with a partner, a full-sized mattress only gives each person the space of a baby's crib!

Durability
It's the quality of the materials used and how they're put together that determines how long a mattress and foundation will provide the necessary comfort and support. The best assurance of good performance over a number of years is to buy the highest quality sleep set you can afford. It's an investment that will pay dividends every night when you go to sleep.

Happy shopping!
The best way to ensure that you're a satisfied customer is to shop at a store that will provide you with helpful information, good service and top-quality products. Look for educated salespeople who can guide you through the many choices. If you don't feel your salesperson is knowledgeable or helpful, take your business elsewhere. In most communities, there are abundant shopping choices - from furniture stores to sleep specialty shops to department stores - so you'll be able to find a store where you'll feel you're getting the right information and the right attention

Article courtesy of  www.home-dzine.co.za.

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