Sleep is a critical foundation of good health. As sleep consumes about a third of your day, choosing the right sleeping essentials can significantly affect the condition of your health and wellness. Often underestimated by many people, sleeping essentials make or break the quality of your rest and sleep.
When discussing sleeping essentials, mattresses mainly facilitate daily sleep and rest. Your mattress can heavily impact how your day will go—influencing your performance at work, school, and even your social connections.
So, if you're reading this article, you're most likely looking for a new mattress. Many individuals run to their local mattress store without preparing for their purchase. But, don't follow in their footsteps and explore the following before purchasing a new mattress:
1. Do You Actually Need One?
Mattresses experience wear and tear throughout years of use. A mattress ideally lasts between seven to ten years, so if your bed has reached its peak age, it's time to bid your farewell. However, lower-quality mattresses may also exhibit signs of replacement despite their young age, so it's important to know and observe the condition from time to time.
Before deciding which mattress to buy, consider asking yourself if you need a new one. These replacement signs involve a combination of physical and health indications, such as:
- Squeaking and screeching metal sounds;
- Sagging or noticeable body impression;
- Experiencing pain after waking up;
- Trouble getting comfortable;
- Bad smell;
- Existence of dust mites, mold, and mildew;
2. Browse Reviews Online
For every retail product, there's a handful of gold standards in mattress manufacture. Whether this popular mattress is the most comfortable, affordable, or kid-friendly, it's essential to analyze the product before impulsively checking out. This is the purpose of Mattress reviews Australia.
If you're eyeing one or more mattresses, look through online reviews first to see the experience of other users. Avoid looking at the store or manufacturer's website to avoid bias. Instead, find a healthy mix of satisfied customers and those who have complaints, then find the middle zone where customers have discussed the pros and cons of the mattress.
Aside from learning about the quality of the product, look for reviews that talk about the company's customer service, warranty, after-sales services, delivery, and terms on returns and refunds.
3. Know What Material You Want
Mattresses are often categorized based on the material they're made of. Every material provides a different experience according to your sleeping position and preferences.
Some of the most popular options are:
Memory Foam
This material has a slow pressure response and contouring hug, making it perfect for sleepers who prefer a feeling "in" the bed than on the "top." Thanks to its contouring ability, memory foam mattresses provide pressure relief to sensitive spots like the lower back, hips, and shoulders. If you prefer an ultra-firm mattress feel, memory foam isn't the one for you.
Latex
Unlike memory foam, latex mattresses have a quick pressure response and natural bounce. Latex is a compelling option if you don't have any sensitive pain points to address.
Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are a popular and widely used mattress type formed by steel coils. They're bouncy and firm but still offer significant support to the body. Stomach, back, and heavy sleepers may benefit the most from the innerspring's major support, but not for people looking for pressure relief and the feeling of "cloud nine."
Most importantly, don't forget to avoid old, preloved mattresses and cheap mattresses. They usually contain chemically treated fibers that are harmful when inhaled or come in contact with the skin. Stay away from products with propylene oxide, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dimethylformamide (DMF), and toluene diisocyanate (TD).
4. Take The Right Measurements
If you're purchasing online or shopping for another person, taking measurements is a vital step most people forget when buying a mattress. The key to finding the correct measurements is factoring in your height and preferences in space (if you want an extra space), your sleeping partner's, and finally, an additional room to make sure that the mattress is large enough.
When measuring your old mattress, remove all pillows and bedding first. Then, use an accurate tape measure and measure the bed's height, depth, and thickness. Mattress manufacturers follow standard mattress sizes to guide your purchase, from twin to California King.
If you're shopping from a physical store, there might be no need to take mattress measurements, as you can test them on your own. However, bring them shopping with you if you have a sleeping partner, such as your significant other or children.
Final Thoughts
You're almost there—but then you realize, should you purchase your new mattress in a physical store or online? Nowadays, online shopping has become more advanced and convenient. You'll have various mattress options to choose from while scoring discounts and offers and being able to return them in case you're not satisfied.
Regardless if you're living in a luxury home or a simple one, a mattress is one thing that you must never compromise. Since mattresses have a long lifespan, you should've saved quite an amount to fund a new one, and take note of these points discussed to make a worthwhile purchase!
