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When it comes to buying a mattress it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what type of mattress will work for you. Yet it’s crucial to get a good night’s sleep, experts say.
Follow these easy steps to ensure you get the best out of your buy.
1) Do a bit of research. The internet is a great way to find out exactly what type of mattress you’d be interested in. Try www.bettersleep.org to educate yourself on all the types of mattresses from a Gel mattress to a memory foam mattress.
2) Talk to an expert. If you’re battling with back pain or any other sleeping problems it’s important to consult a doctor or physical therapist to get down to the problem. Don’t get a mattress that’s too hard or too soft.
“If you’re on too soft a mattress, you'll start to sink down to the bottom. But on too hard of a mattress you have too much pressure on the sacrum, and on the shoulders, and on the back of the head,” says Professor Howard Levy of Emory University’s orthopaedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation department.
3) Don’t look at the cost or brand. Whenspending a lot of money on a popular brand it doesn’t necessarily mean the mattress would be the best fit for you. “A much more expensive mattress doesn't necessarily mean it's better,” says Dr Michael Decker, associate professor at Georgia State University and spokesman for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
4) Take your mattress for a test-drive - before buying your mattress you should test it out first. Don’t feel shy to take a quick nap on the mattress in store. This way you would get a better sense of the look and feel of the mattress. If you want to go the extra mile try testing out the mattress’s at a hotel. If you manage to get a goodnight’s rest on one of them ask the desk clerk for more information.
