Selecting the Right Mattress Will Have You Dreaming of a Peaceful Night's Sleep

Getting a decent night’s sleep, particularly if you suffer from back pain (which 80% of the UK’s population do at some time in their lives), sounds like an impossible dream. We’ve all known the misery of tossing and turning at night, trying to find a comfortable position, but we always seem more inclined to blame anything except the mattress beneath us. But poor mattresses are one of the main causes of disturbed sleep.

In recent years an amazing solution has appeared in the form of memory foam mattresses. The technology behind these was developed by NASA scientists when looking for ways to protect the astronauts from the powerful G forces at lift-off and re-entry. The visco-elastic construction moulds itself to the body like a dense, protective layer.

The visco-elastic overlay can be attached to a polyurethane foam base which allows air to circulate between the layers and provide extra resilience and comfort. This type of mattress is now widely used in hospitals and nursing homes as it prevents pressure sores, is lightweight and durable and does not require flipping, like standard mattresses. According to statistics, these mattresses reduce nightly tossing and turning by over 80%.

They have the additional benefit of helping those sensitive to dust mites and allergies. The foam responds to body heat and weight to mould itself to the natural contours of the body, which is why it is so comfortable. Because it restricts heat loss, it is also snug and warm in winter. However, the foam can become quite hot in summer and, if you need to move quickly or get out of bed, this can cause problems for some people.

Memory foam combi-mattresses are available in numerous sizes and depths to fit any standard bed frame, but this must be ventilated to allow the dispersal of moisture. Their combined depth can range from 15 cm to 31 cm, depending on the choice of base. They are also available in a wide range of sizes to fit any bed from single to extra king size.

Whilst memory foam mattresses seem to be taking the world by storm, some people still want the solidity of a tradition sprung mattress. This can be achieved by attaching a foam base which is channel cut for additional elasticity and airflow which gives greater depth resilience and feels more like a sprung mattress, or by combining the memory foam overlay with a traditional base.

When it comes to traditional mattresses, there are three main types available, with the best being pocket sprung. What this means is that individual springs are secured in fabric pockets which gives the mattress bounce, comfort and durability. The individual springs support the body well and these mattresses are still very popular. Open coil and continuous coil mattresses are less expensive and less comfortable alternatives, unless, of course, these are combined with a memory foam overlay.

Considering that we spend a third of lives in bed – not counting illnesses – we owe it to ourselves to choose our mattress with care to ensure quality rest and relaxation. If possible, we should ‘try before we buy’ but if not, we should think very carefully about what we really find comfortable in a mattress and be prepared to spend a little more to achieve that comfort. After all, you can’t put a price on a perfect night’s sleep.