How to select the right mattress for your sleeping needs

Selecting the right mattress to suit your sleeping needs is no easy task, it can become tedious and time consuming. Mattresses are no small investment, so it’s important you take the necessary steps in selecting the right one. What makes the decision harder is the abundance of options available to the consumer based on material, quality and budget.  

Most mattresses come down to an individual’s personal preference. Some mattresses give you the illusion you’re living on a cloud of pure comfort and others feel like a back-breaking concrete floor. So how sturdy do you want your mattress to be? It’s important to try before you buy or find a mattress with a trial period. Take your time lying down and position yourself in your natural sleeping position and if you’re happy with how it feels then you might be onto a winner.  

If you like to sleep a specific way, then the firmness of your mattress will come down to personal preference again. If you sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress will keep your spine aligned. If you sleep on your back, a medium firmness is best as it’ll provide support to your spine, back and neck while keeping you comfortable. If you sleep on your side, a soft mattress will support and contour to your body’s curves.  

Can’t remember how old or where you got your mattress from? Then it’s probably not a bad idea to start shopping. According to the mattress rule book, if it’s over 8 years old then it’s time to invest in a new one. However, this doesn’t always apply as some definitely extend beyond that time frame. The best way to make the judgement call will come down to your sleeping patterns – are you sleeping well or not?

A lot of people don’t buy big enough beds, period. If you and your partner are still not sleeping well then you should also look at the size of your mattress. For two adults to sleep comfortably without disturbing each other, then a Queen or King mattress will make a significant difference in your sleeping patterns. Disturbance from a partner is one of the most common sleeping problems.

How much do you want to spend? Everyone’s personal budget is going to differ based on their income. Many companies now build exceptional mattresses for reasonable pricing between $500 - $1200. If you want a King, then best to budget around $1500. You can get the best bang for your buck and still get an excellent bed without paying thousands of dollars. Higher price doesn’t necessarily mean better quality. Staying vigilant and spotting sales throughout the year will also help!

Some tell-tale signs that you need to invest in a new mattress will involve you waking up feeling dazed, having aches and pains in your back and neck or just realising that you don’t sleep as well as you did once upon a time. Your perfect mattress that’s best suited for you and not worn down means you awaken and move about less, equalling a better night sleep.

If for any reason you are experiencing sleeplessness and you cannot resolve the issue, consult your pharmacist about your options to resolve the issue.

Adam Shakespeare