Does a Good Mattress Matter?

Sleep is essential for our bodies to function. And while you can technically sleep on any ol’ mattress, if you want to achieve quality sleep, a good mattress is a necessity. 

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the benefits of a good mattress and why it matters for your overall health and well-being. We’ll also teach you what to look for when mattress shopping so you can find the one that fits your needs and preferences the most.

Benefits of A Quality Mattress

Investing in a good mattress not only improves your sleep quality but also can have a significant positive impact on your health and well-being. Here are just some of the benefits of a good mattress:

Improves sleep quality

A good mattress can keep you comfy throughout the night by providing the necessary support for your body to prevent discomfort or pain. When you’re comfortable and well-supported, you’re more likely to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, leading to a better quality of sleep overall.

Getting a quality mattress can help you achieve deeper sleep stages, which can help enhance your body’s natural rejuvenation and recovery process. During deep sleep, the body repairs and regenerates cells, strengthens the immune system, and consolidates memories. When we don’t get enough deep sleep, we may feel sluggish, irritable, and unable to concentrate during the day.

Reduction of aches and pains

Getting a good night’s sleep when you’re in pain can be challenging. What’s worse, not getting enough sleep can exacerbate chronic pain, resulting in a vicious cycle of pain and sleeplessness.

A quality mattress can break this cycle by alleviating pressure points and reducing discomfort, particularly in areas prone to pain, such as the back, hips, and shoulders. It can also distribute weight evenly, providing support to the natural curves of your body, and keeping your spine in proper alignment. This helps reduce tension and strain on muscles and joints, allowing them to relax and recover.

Alleviates allergies

Dust mites and other allergens can accumulate in mattresses over time, especially in older ones. These allergens can trigger allergic reactions, which can make you feel uncomfortable and even disrupt your sleep.

Quality mattresses are made with hypoallergenic materials that are resistant to dust mites and have moisture-wicking properties to prevent mold and mildew. Some mattresses also come with removable covers that are easy to wash, allowing you to clean your sleeping surface often.

Enhances mood and productivity

When you’re well-rested, you wake up in a good mood — simple as that. And when you’re in a good mood, you’ll likely stay focused and alert for the rest of the day. Then, after a long and tiring day, sleeping on a good, comfy mattress can help you relax and unwind.

How Do You Know a Mattress is Good? 

With so many options available in the market, choosing a good mattress can seem like a daunting task. That’s why it’s important to know how to distinguish a good mattress from the rest.

Quality of materials

The quality of materials used in a mattress can have a significant impact on its overall performance and durability. Mattresses can be made from various materials, each with its own unique benefits and drawbacks. 

High-quality materials such as memory foam, latex, and innerspring coils are commonly used in modern mattresses. Lower-quality materials such as cheap foam or synthetic materials may be used in lower-end mattresses, but they may not provide the same level of comfort, support, and durability as higher-quality materials. They may also be less resistant to wear and tear, leading to sagging or permanent indentations over time.

Certifications

In addition to the quality of materials, you can also check for certifications by third-party organizations to see if the mattress is up to par with certain standards for safety, environmental impact, and performance. Some examples of certifications to look for include CertiPUR-US (which certifies foam products), Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (which certifies that textiles are free of harmful substances), and the Global Organic Textile Standard (which certifies organic materials).

Read user reviews

By reading the experiences of others who have purchased and used the mattress you’re considering, you can gain a better understanding of its performance and quality, which can help inform your decision. Resources like Mattress Nerd provide expert reviews and scores for hundreds of mattresses, which can be a helpful starting point. 

In addition, reading customer reviews on the product page can also be beneficial. These reviews provide insight into real-life experiences with the mattress, including things like comfort, support, and durability over time. These reviews can also give you a good idea of a mattress’s pros and cons.

Lastly, if you have friends or family members who have recently purchased a mattress, you can ask them about their experience and whether they would recommend the product they chose. This can be especially valuable if you have similar sleeping preferences or health concerns.

Brand reputation

Brand reputation also plays a big factor in choosing a mattress. Established brands that have been in the industry for a long time are more likely to have a greater understanding of what makes a good mattress and invest in research and development to improve their products.

Additionally, reputable brands are more likely to have a better customer support system in place. They may also have more robust warranties and return policies, giving you peace of mind in case something goes wrong.

Trial periods

Many online mattress companies offer trial periods, which allow you to test out a mattress in your own home for a certain period before committing to it. This can be a great way to get a better sense of whether a mattress is right for you before you purchase it with your hard-earned money.

How to Choose the Right Mattress for You

Now that you know what makes up a quality mattress, you’re ready to go mattress shopping! Aside from what we mentioned above, here’s a checklist of mattress factors you should consider:

Firmness

This is one of the first things to check, as it plays a big factor in the level of comfort and support you’ll experience. You should choose a mattress firmness that fits your body type and sleeping position.

Those on the lighter side will want a softer surface to sleep on, while heavier folks are better off with firmer mattresses to prevent excess sinking. In terms of sleeping position, back and stomach sleepers will probably prefer a firm to medium-firm level to keep their spine properly aligned and prevent their hips from misaligning. On the other hand, side sleepers will need a softer mattress that cushions their shoulders, hips, and joints. For combination sleepers, it depends on their dominant sleeping position and body type, but generally, a true medium mattress is a good match.

When considering firmness, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no “right” level of firmness. What feels comfortable to one person may not feel comfortable to another. It’s best to try out different levels of firmness to see what feels right for you.

Materials

The materials used to make a mattress can affect its comfort, durability, and overall performance. When looking for a mattress, it’s also essential to consider your specific needs and preferences. For example, if you’re a hot sleeper, you might want to go for a cooling bed, or if you suffer from allergies, a hypoallergenic mattress may be the better option.

Here are some of the common types of materials used in mattresses: 

• Memory foam: Provides excellent pressure relief and support, conforms to your body shape, and can reduce motion transfer.
• Latex: Offers durability, support, and pressure relief. It’s also hypoallergenic and resistant to mold and dust mites.
• Pocketed coils: Offers better motion isolation and support. They’re also more durable than traditional innerspring mattresses.
• Gel-infused foam: Foam with gel beads embedded in it, which can help regulate temperature and provide a cooler sleeping surface.
• Natural fibers: Can be used in mattress covers to provide a soft, breathable surface. Examples are cotton, wool, and silk. These materials are often hypoallergenic and can help regulate temperature.

Performance Factors

Temperature regulation: Hot sleepers, pay attention. A mattress with good temperature regulation can help you stay comfortable throughout the night. Materials like gel-infused memory foam or phase-change materials can help dissipate heat and keep you cool.

Pressure relief: This is an important factor for people suffering from joint pain or pressure points. Materials like memory foam or latex can provide pressure relief by conforming to the body’s curves and evenly distributing weight.

Motion isolation: When you co-sleep, you will need a mattress with good motion isolation if you want to prevent any disturbances from each other’s movements. Memory foam or hybrid mattresses with individually wrapped coils can provide good motion isolation.

Edge support: If you tend to sleep near the edge of the bed or sit on the edge, you need good edge support to keep you from feeling like you’re going to fall off the bed. Some mattresses have reinforced edges to prevent any sagging, allowing you to maximize your mattress’s sleep area.

Ease of Movement: If you tend to move around a lot at night, a mattress that makes it easy to change positions can be important. Innerspring or hybrid mattresses can provide more bounce and make it easier to move around.

Cost

While it’s true that higher-end quality mattresses can come with a higher price tag, there are still many high-quality options available at a more affordable price point. It’s also important to remember that a heftier price tag doesn’t correlate with quality. You should always try to consider whether a mattress’s features are worth its price tag.

Also, when shopping for a budget-friendly mattress, remember not to skimp on important features like support and comfort. Look for a mattress that offers a balanced firmness level and has pressure-relieving properties to prevent any aches and pains. Don’t forget to check the warranty and return policy to ensure that you have some protection in case the mattress doesn’t meet your expectations.

Conclusion

Shopping for a quality mattress can be hard, especially with all of the factors to consider, such as firmness, materials, price tag, performance scores, and more. But once you find the right mattress, you’ll reap a lot of benefits for your sleep quality, health, and well-being. Ultimately, it’s important to consider your options and take the time to research the mattress you want to buy. We hope our guide will help you find the right mattress for your needs!

Sources

• Chiba S., Yagi T., et al. (2018). High rebound mattress toppers facilitate core body temperature drop and enhance deep sleep in the initial phase of nocturnal sleep. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29949584/

• Radwan A., et al. (2015). Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain; systematic review of controlled trials. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352721815001400?via%3Dihub

• Watling J., et al. (2017). Sleep Loss and Affective Functioning: More Than Just Mood. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27158937/