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5 things to look for when choosing a mattress

Author: Allan Williams
Published: Apr 10 2012

Sleep is a very important part of our lives. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average person spends around 1/3 of their lives sleeping. However, many people are prone to insomnia which is a medical term for sleep deprivation.

Sleep deprivation is a very serious issue as not getting enough sleep causes a whole range of health problems ranging from depression to weight gain. With that being said, most sleeping problems can be cured by simply purchasing the right mattress.

A good quality mattress ensures a good quality sleep free from interruptions or disturbances. When purchasing a mattress, there are a few things to look for. The 5 most important things to look for when choosing a mattress are mentioned below:

Comfort

Comfort is perhaps the single most important determining factor when purchasing a mattress. If a mattress is not comfortable, then no matter how hard you try to fall asleep, you never will be able to.

As such, it is important to spend a few minutes lying down on the bed (in the shop) to see how comfortable it is. Try lying down in different postures to see what feels more comfortable. If the bed is not comfortable, then that mattress was simply not for you.

Size

When choosing the perfect mattress, size matters. It is important to realize that mattresses come in all different shapes and sizes. You must choose the mattress that fits your size. Just imagine how much you toss and turn in bed or spread out when you sleep.

Thinking about where you sleep and where you end up on the bed in the morning will give you a good idea about the size of the mattress you wish to purchase.

R-Value

R-Value is mattress rating system that is essentially equivalent to that of a home insulation rating system. The mattress?s R-value will indicate how effectively the mattress will insulate your body in cold weather.

Generally speaking, the thicker the mattress is, the higher the R-value. Ideally, you want to purchase a mattress that has an R-value of 8-10.

Coil Count If you are choosing a spring bed then, according to Readers Digest, having a mattress with the correct coil count is very important as it contributes towards your mattress's overall comfort and quality. Typically, a standard mattress should have a coil count of 300 whereas a queen and king size mattress should have coil counts of 375 and 450 respectively. Any less coils and you are going to end up pretty uncomfortable in bed.

Firmness

It is important to realize that a mattress that is firmer does not mean that is better. People are under the assumption that a firmer bed will lead to less spinal problems; however, this is a common misconception.

A very firm mattress can have adverse effects on your spine as it does not mold to the shape of your spine but rather forces it to bend the shoulders and hips which lead to back problems. Never make the mistake of confusing the mattress's firmness with mattress's support as they are two completely different things. Choose a mattress that is just right and molds with your spine. It is important to consider all of these 5 factors when purchasing a mattress as they could be the difference between a restless night and a good nights sleep.

Allan has been blogging about sleeping issues for a couple of years and published articles on the topic. He has been using an OO foam mattress for several years and is happy about the results. When he is not writing, Allan loves spending time with his family.

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