Waking up with a stiff neck, having difficulty falling asleep due to back pain or frequent sneezing that disrupts your sleep, are clear signs that your old mattress has done its job and it is ready to retire. The most obvious indication that your mattress needs replacement is sagging. With prolonged use almost all types of mattresses become softer and if yours is soft to the point that there is a large crater in the middle of the bed, then the time has come to begin your search for a new one.
A soft and sagging mattress is unable to provide enough support to your body, so it’s no surprise that you’re waking up with aches in your back and neck. Furthermore, old mattresses are a great place for dust mites to thrive and cause allergies that lead to sneezing, coughing and make it difficult to fall asleep.
The main question is how do you choose the right mattress that will be a significant upgrade from the old and uncomfortable one? Well, adequate amount of support for your back and neck should be your priority. You’d want something that can provide you with comfort, proper support and enhance the overall quality of your sleep. However, when choosing a new mattress, it’s important not to make a rushed decision. For that reason, the safest thing to do is to buy mattresses online since you can take your time and compare different models and their prices from the comfort of your home. From firmness to size, here is a list of things to keep in mind when you decide to buy mattresses online.
- Firmness
The feature that has a major influence on the comfort of a mattress is its firmness. A mattress that is too soft or too firm will not provide the desired amount of support for your back and neck, thus it will create pressure points and cause you even more pain. Your sleeping position and weight are the two things you should consider when deciding on the level of firmness. Mattresses that have a medium level of firmness provide enough support in all sleeping positions. Side sleepers need a softer mattress that can properly support their hips and shoulders, without causing strain on the lower back. If you prefer sleeping on your stomach, then choose a firmer mattress that provides enough support to the lumbar area and hips, while at the same time reduces strain on the lower back and neck.
- Material
Another important factor to thick off your list is the material as it determines to great extant the overall quality of the mattress. The most commonly used materials include latex, memory foam and innerspring. The best thing about memory foam mattresses is their ability to quickly absorb moisture, thus prevent dust mites from invading your bed. They’re designed to conform to your body and effectively reduce pressure points. Just like memory foam, latex mattresses quickly contour to the body but they are a bit firmer. Innerspring mattresses can range from soft to very firm and are less expensive than latex and memory foam models.
- Size
Last but not least, consider what would be the ideal mattress size for your needs. Pay attention to things such as preferred sleeping position as well as your height. If you or your partner like to twist and turn a lot in your sleep then consider getting a larger mattress than you normally would – one that will provide enough surface for sleeping and movement. Single and king-single mattresses are big enough to provide comfortable sleeping space for one person. These are commonly used in kids’ rooms and guest rooms. Queen and king sized mattresses are the best choice for couples as they are big enough to enable you to sleep comfortably without disturbing your partner.
