While there are going to be some people who have had different experiences with their bedding, most experts suggest you get a new mattress every 10 years. If you end up moving a lot, leaving for college or for another country, you might need to buy a mattress even sooner. Mattress shopping can be even more complicated if you’re doing it for medical or comfort issues.
Here are five things to know when you’re looking for a new mattress so that you buy one that meets all of your needs.
1. Do Some Research
Before you get your mattress, you need to do a fair amount of research. You’re looking for a mattress that feels like an investment, where you know you’re going to have a good night’s sleep every time. Buying a mattress that you’re not completely pleased with feels like a waste of money.
Check out some of the reviews of specific mattresses online. You’ll get to know the lingo while reading each review when it comes to firmness and how well they spring back. While some people want a firm mattress and others want something softer, it really comes down to the quality of the materials.
Look for lifetime warranties and other ways that the mattress company lets you know that they’re committed to giving you what you’re looking for.
2. Talk With a Doctor
One of the major factors for why people want to get a better mattress is because of medical reasons. If you’ve been seeing a chiropractor, a doctor, or any kind of specialist about your back, you know that your mattress matters. They’ll all tell you that you should be using a mattress that’s appropriate for your back.
Talking to a physical therapist or a doctor can help you fix any medical conditions you have. If you toss and turn or wake up sore and uncomfortable, your doctor is going to give you the advice you need to sleep better.
List the symptoms that you have when you speak with your doctor and they’ll let you know what you need from a bed. It’s vital that you have a mattress that’s going to respond to your needs and support any pain or soreness that you suffer.
3. Don’t Fall For Gimmicks
When shopping for a mattress, bedding companies are going to try to sell you on every trick in the book. Sadly, there are so many terms that they’re allowed to use when talking about mattresses that they don’t have to back up. They can make some pretty wild claims without ever having to take responsibility.
If they say the mattress if orthopedic or “medically-approved”, that doesn’t really mean much. Look for logos and certifications denoting that there are real medical organizations that are certifying the validity of these statements. Otherwise, they’re just blowing a lot of hot air at you.
Medical groups need to certify something for it to carry their name or their organization’s logo. Associations keep pretty high standards to keep companies from being able to make these kinds of claims.
4. Firm Is Not Always Better
While there’s a prevailing belief that a firm mattress is better for your back, that’s not always the case. No doctors have come out and said that one type of bed is better for everyone.
Some of the research around lower back pain is showing that a medium mattress makes more of a difference. If you have lower back pain that’s driving you to go mattress shopping, you should seek out a mattress that’s medium in firmness so you get flexible support.
There’s a balance between firm support and a firm feel. You can get a lot of support on a mattress that might still be soft and cushy. It comes down to the materials that are used.
Comfort is a personal preference, not to be medically prescribed. If a mattress company is trying to tell you what’s comfortable for you, then they’re way off base.
5. The Pillow Top Isn’t Universal
A lot of consumers have turned to pillow tops in recent years as a way to help sleep more gently on a firm mattress. However, it’s again not a one-size-fits-all solution.
If you don’t weigh very much, you’re not going to need an intensely thick pillow top mattress. When you don’t weight enough to compress the foam or squish the underlying support system, then it’s not really a problem.
If you’re a larger or taller person, you might need that cushion to feel more comfortable. The cushion between you and the coils is a welcome introduction that allows you to get a good night’s sleep.
For people with back issues, a pillow top isn’t necessarily the ideal solution. There are adjustable bed options that give you more comfort while you’re sleeping. The whole point here is that you should get the comfort that you deserve.
When you get an adjustable bed, you can do more for your comfort than a pillow top could ever do. You’ll have support where you need it and be able to adjust as your body adjusts and even as you age.
Mattress Shopping Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Ultimately, when you’re out mattress shopping, you should be comfortable hopping up on any bed you’re expecting to spend a third of your life in. If you’re devoting that kind of time to anything, you need to ensure that you’re going to be comfortable and sleep easily on it. If you invest in a mattress that’s less than stellar, you’re going to regret it for years to come.
To make sure that you’re not feeling poorly rested because of poor time management, check out our latest guide for some time management tips.
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