When one thinks of sleep, the first thing that comes to mind is our bed. The mind forms a strong association between sleep and the bed and mattress from a young age.
Which is why, the quality of our mattress is crucial to our sleep. Most people look at the mattress from a comfort perspective. However, there are a few other essential aspects that we should consider when choosing a mattress.
Let’s have a look at what these factors are and how they impact sleep:
Â
- Your Mattress Impacts your Body’s Posture
When we lie on our backs, our body forms a shape almost like an S. However, our sleeping surfaces are flat, and so, there is a mismatch between the two. Which means certain parts of our body exert more pressure on the surface. This causes strain and increased pressure in 10 points in the body including neck, shoulders, hips, lower back, knee joints and ankles. As a result, you may feel sore and your joints ache as you move them. The long-term effects of bad sleep posture include chronic lower back pain, joint pain and sleeper’s neck.
It’s important to choose a mattress which supports your spinal curvature in all sleep positions and ensures a healthy sleep posture. A good mattress distributes your weight evenly and removes undue stress on any body part.
While choosing a mattress, consider if you have any joint issues or existing pains. Certain people may be recommended a hard bed for their orthopaedic requirements. For others, it’s a good idea to opt for memory foam mattresses which get accustomed to the body’s sleep positions thereby evenly distributing body pressure. Over the passage of time, a good mattress can relieve or significantly minimize chronic aches and pain as well.
- Older Mattress Increases Allergy Risk
With the passage of time, your mattress starts to get clogged with dead skin cells, body oil and dust particles. These microscopic particles are invisible to the naked eye. You wouldn’t even realise how many such particles get collected on your mattress over a sustained time period. The presence of these particles causes another bigger issue – the spread of dust mites! In fact, the typical used mattress can house as many as 10 million of mites.
This can cause various allergic and skin reactions such as pimples, dry skin, nasal congestion, and runny nose. It’s worse if you have respiratory issues as those get aggravated by dust mites. This may cause difficulty breathing, chest tightness, or even trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath
To avoid this, use mattress protectors which are easily removable & washable. You must regularly dust off, clean and sterilize your mattress. You can also replace your mattress every 8-10 years. Getting a new, germ-resistant eco-friendly mattress is the best way to avoid allergies. - Your Mattress Can Contribute to Excessive Heating –
Temperature is an important factor that contributes to your sleep. The body finds it difficult to fall asleep or to stay in a state of sleep if it gets too hot or cold.
Your mattress also contributes to your body’s temperature during sleep. This is especially true if the mattress you’re using is made from dense foam and other materials that naturally hug your body. These materials can trap your body’s natural heat and result in excessive sweating and heat retention.
You should keep in the mind the weather & seasonal conditions in your surroundings when you choose your mattress. Nowadays, mattresses also come with temperature control settings for a more comfortable experience. Alternatively, you should set the room temperature to a comfortable level that doesn’t allow your body to excessively heat up.
