Your bed is by far the most significant element of a good night’s rest. An unsupportive mattress will encourage a poor sleeping posture, which prevents you from getting quality sleep. If you regularly wake up with aches, pains and especially backache, it’s probably time to change your mattress. It will also have a significant impact on your partner’s sleep, too.
Everyone is made different, which is why different beds suit different bodies. You should select the best mattress for you, offering the correct support and comfort for your weight and build, and if someone else is going to be sharing the bed, spend extra time finding a bed that’s mutually comfortable. When we’re asleep it’s recommended that we maintain a good posture; a mattress too soft will cause us to slouch, while one that’s too firm can apply pressure to our hips and shoulders.
Large beds are always recommended, as they provide partners with plenty of space. Make sure you can both lie comfortably side by side without touching: you should both be able to put your hands behind your head and stick your elbows out without poking each other!
Something else to consider is the base that you’re using. Sometimes mattresses and bed bases don’t work well together, and the base that you tested out in the shop could be very different to the one you have at home. As such, it’s recommended that mattresses and bases are bought together, or alternatively make sure you test out your new mattress on a base that’s similar to your existing one.
Bear in mind that most beds should be replaced after around seven years. It might not look worn out, but you can guarantee it doesn’t offer the same comfort and support as it did originally. And when you learn that we lose around half a pint of fluid every night and shed a pound of dead skin cells each year, you might be more keen on a trip to the mattress shop!
Plan ahead when buying your next bed. Before you get to the store, think about what you want from your bed – is price your main criteria? What about storage, access to your bedroom, turning the mattress, getting in and out of bed, size of bed? Are you seeking pressure relief for a shoulder or hip problem or other health issues?
Spend as much as you can afford. If you buy during a ‘sale’, instead of buying the bed you might have chosen during a non-sale period more cheaply, trade up to a more luxurious model. After all, what other item do you use for 7-8 hours per night, every night?
If you’re buying a bed for you and your partner, you should shop together. Comfort is so subjective and even though you may think you know your partner very well, it is risky trying to guess which bed would best suit their individual needs.
It may sound weird but think about taking your pillow with you when trying out beds in a shop (unless you intend buying a new pillow at the same time). Your pillow is critical in achieving the correct posture in combination with the right mattress. You won’t get a true comparison if you rest your head on a different pillow to the one you have at home.
Remember that £1000 bed costs less than 40 pence a night over seven years – or only 20 pence each if two people are sharing – now that’s a real bargain!
It’s my opinion that this subject is too important to consider buying online. It’s relatively easy to send back a pair of shoes that don’t fit, sending a bed back is a completely different ball game.
More information can be found at The National Bed Foundation
