If you've ever woken up with back pain after a long night of tossing and turning, you might be tempted to blame it on a stressful workday or the pizza you had for dinner. Yes, these things will wreak havoc on your sleep, but did you know that your mattress is one of the most important factors in the quality of your rest? If you are considering swapping out the beat-up old thing under your sheets with an upgraded version, take a look at the tips below to help you make a wise choice that will have you sleeping like a baby and waking up feeling like a champion.
Choose the Right Size
Of course, if you have a bed frame that you love, you will already know the mattress size that you need. However, if you're having trouble getting a good night's rest, you might want to think about whether jumping from that old queen size up to a king will give you more room to get comfortable. Beds frames can be very affordable, and you really can't put a dollar sign on health!
Consider Your Sleeping Position
We all have our favorite way to sleep. It's mostly just personal taste, but there is a little science that comes into play. Different ways of sleeping put pressure on different points on the body. You'll want to make sure that your mattress's firmness is appropriate for the way you lie down in bed. For example, a side sleeper will do best on a soft mattress, which will allow for their hips and shoulder to sink into the material and catch support. However, back sleepers usually prefer a firm bed, finding that it reduces pain in the back by allowing the spine to relax in a natural way.
Think About Your Body Temperature
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Some people (like me!) tend to run hot. It gets even worse at night and, if I don't crank the air conditioning down to an arctic setting, it's virtually impossible to sleep. The good news is, many mattresses are topped with a breathable material that will allow more airflow throughout the night. That translates to cooler body temperature and better rest.
Budget Appropriately
Everyone loves a bargain. When mattress shopping, however, you'll have to forgo the bottom shelf options. Sure, many mattresses can be had for under $200, but they are made of cheap materials, and you'll be right back to shopping for a bed after your first week of terrible sleep. Plan to spend at least $500-$800 in order to get a great quality mattress.
Test Drive!
Check out the return policy at the place you are shopping to ensure that you can give the bed a real try out. Many places will allow you to keep the mattress for a month. This will be plenty of time for you to get an idea of how it's working for you. Better sleep and less back pain? Keep it! Restlessness and aching muscles or joints? Take that thing back and get back to searching.
Finding a new mattress is a bit of a hassle. It can cost a bit of money. But there's really no better way to improve your rest and keep your body feeling great. Keep the above tips in mind when shopping, and you'll be snoozing in bliss before you know it!
