The Importance of a Good Mattress

You probably know that a poor mattress can contribute to sleep deprivation. This can bring about a whole host of health problems, such as a weakened immune system, allergic reactions, and various pains. Whether your hormone levels are fluctuating during your menstrual cycle or you frequently deal with restlessness, a good mattress can go a long way in aiding your quest for sound sleep. This article will help you find the right mattress, explain some of the problems that a bad mattress can cause, and provide tips for reducing those issues. 

Finding Your Mattress 

There are as many opinions about what the best mattress is, as there are types of mattresses. Here are some of the most common types:

• Mattresses with coils and/or springs inside

• Mattresses with memory foam, latex, or polyurethane inside

• Adjustable and pressurized air mattresses

• Hybrid mattresses
  

In order to make a confident purchase on your new mattress, it will help to do research online, factor in your specific needs, and test out several different types of mattresses with various firmness. Be sure to get comfortable in the store, and spend a few minutes lying on each one that you’re considering. That way, you can find the one that offers the perfect amount of firmness, plushness, support, and so on.

Sleep Deprivation 

The most obvious problem that can come from a poor mattress is bad sleep. This could mean trouble falling or staying asleep, or full-blown sleep deprivation. Too many people are struggling with this issue, and its effects are well-documented. From a negative impact on mental health such as mood and concentration to physical factors like chronic diseases and obesity, avoiding sleep deprivation is enough reason to look for a new mattress. 

Getting Sick

When you suffer from sleep deprivation, it weakens your immune system. Going long enough without getting proper sleep will open you up to more sickness, more often. Along with chronic diseases and obesity, you will become more likely to catch a cold, come down with the flu, or develop a more severe illness. 

Allergies

No matter how clean you keep your house, dust mites can make their home in your mattress over time. For people with allergies, dust mites in an older mattress can cause reactions like itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose. Also, they can trigger and/or exacerbate symptoms for those who have asthma. Along with getting a new mattress, you can cut down on dust mites by purchasing allergy-proof bedding and washing it regularly. 

Back Pain

When mattresses offer little support, your muscles are prone to strain. This leads to bad posture, which leads to back pain. Typically, firmness helps with this issue, but you can also get a mattress that is too firm, which will keep you from getting adequate rest. This is when doing your research and trying out each mattress before you buy it comes in. 

Neck Pain

While it’s important to have a high-quality pillow, your mattress can also play a part in causing neck pain. If you have a saggy or lumpy mattress, it can keep your head from lying as it should in relation to your body. Replacing your mattress and using good pillows can help your head be right where it needs to be, which can keep you from waking up to a sore neck.

The mattress you sleep on is important to your health. In order to avoid sleep deprivation and all the ensuing problems, as well as allergies and pain in your back and neck, do what is necessary to find the best mattress for you. Get online, compare the different types of mattresses with your specific preferences and sleep style, and try out a variety in person. The benefits make it well worth the time and effort it takes to find the perfect mattress.

Writer: Constance Ray of Recoverywell.org