The right mattress just may put your sleep problems to bed.
Sleep is good. Good sleep is better, according to the folks who study zzzs for a living. Experts agree it’s the quality of your sleep that matters—not just the number of hours you spend in bed with your eyes shut. Bad for you: tossing and turning, waking up frequently, and feeling decidedly unrefreshed in the morning. There are dozens of science-backed ways to improve sleep—from adjusting the thermostat to hitting the hay in sync with your circadian rhythms—but sometimes the fix is as simple as finding the right mattress.
How to choose the best mattress for you?
START IN THE MIDDLE—the middle of the mattress, that is. We carry the most common construction types: traditional innerspring, gel/memory foam, and hybrid, which can be any combination of innerspring coils, gel, foam, and/or latex.
- Innerspring. Steel coils or springs at the core of the mattress provide body support while balancing weight distribution. An innerspring’s comfort level (and cost) may depend on the shape, design, coil gauge and number of coils in a mattress.
- Gel/memory foam. An example is our Luna mattress, featuring cooling gel and air flow vents for improved circulation and body heat dissipation. An interlocking foam core keeps motion transfer (and partner sleep disturbance) to a minimum.
- Hybrid. An example is our Stellar mattress, designed with a combination of innersprings and gel-infused foam to provide mid-range firmness.
BE FIRM—OR NOT. Comfort options generally range from firm to ultra-plush, and your choice is largely a matter of preference. But there are a few things to consider:
- If you like extra back support from a mattress that holds its own so you can rest comfortably on top and not “sink in,” choose a medium-firm to firm mattress.
- Choose plush for the perfect balance between a pillow-like mattress and one with just a little “give.”
- Go for the ultra-plush if what you’re after is a cloud-like feel, with extra “give” that allows the mattress to conform to your body.
TAKE A TEST REST. After you’ve found a mattress that meets your criteria, lie down. If possible, you (and your sleep partner) should try out a store sample, stretching out for at least 10 minutes, to see how it feels.
DON’T GO IT ALONE. If the mattress you’ve chosen requires a box spring for support, be sure to buy a new one, as warranties often only cover mattress and box spring sets.
By itself, a new mattress can’t guarantee a good night’s sleep (babies are still gonna cry and heavy meals before bedtime are never a good idea), but it can improve your odds! Take our Sleep by DesignTM survey for more on choosing the mattress that’s right for you.
