Which Type of Mattress is Best for Sleeping?
What would you say is the right mattress for the best sleep? Well, health experts recommend that you should change your mattress once every seven years. That leads us naturally to the question, when out shopping for a new mattress, which type of mattress is best for sleeping?
In many way, mattresses are pretty much like shoes; one size does not fit all. Every individual has their unique preferences determined by a myriad of factors such as their sleeping position, allergies, age, and the weight of their bodies. There are many more factors that come into play, but this article will discuss further the popular questions people have when out shopping for a mattress.
Does Mattress Affect Sleep Quality?
Everyone, even those among us that think they are tough as nails need a good night’s sleep. A good sleep is critical for your general health and cognitive abilities. When you are sleep deprived, your brain starts getting very quickly and very easily confused. That is because sleep allows your brain to rest, organize memory in an easy to recall format, and start off fresh the next morning.
The majority of us are fortunate enough to be able to sleep on a mattress. Therefore, the better the quality of the mattress, the better the quality of sleep. A bad mattress will give you a bad sleep, which could greatly impact both your physical and psychological health.
What can Sleeping on a Bad Mattress do?
People have increasingly become conscious of the quality of their sleep. All thanks to the rising cases of physical and psychological health issues rooted from bad sleep. It, therefore, comes as little surprise that the internet is awash with queries around the topic. Questions like:
- Can sleeping on an old mattress cause back pain?
- Can sleeping on a bad mattress cause chest pain?
- Can you sleep on a new mattress right away?
In a nutshell, lack of proper support from an old mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain. An old mattress lacks proper support leading to it reinforcing poor sleeping posture and muscle strains as you sleep. It also does not help maintain normal spine alignment when sleeping. That is why you feel some back pain in the morning after sleeping on an old mattress.
To answer the question ‘can sleeping on a bad mattress cause chest pain?’ Well, most of the time a bad mattress will be an old mattress. The link between old mattresses and chest pains stems from the years of accumulated dead skin and oils. It’s rich in fodder for microbes such as dust mites and other microbes. Take note that the dust mites too need to go to the bathroom, and they do it right there inside your mattress. Gross right!
Now, imagine what a bathroom-mess your mattress will be over a couple of years. For a person with allergies, especially those with respiratory system allergies like asthma, sleeping on an old mattress will certainly lead to various allergic reactions including chest pain.
To the next question, can you sleep on a new mattress right away? Well, if it is a memory foam mattress that came shipped inside a box. No, the manufacturer recommends waiting at least 24 hours after removing the mattress from its packaging. This time allows the mattress to expand and take its shape after being compressed during its shipment.
It is also healthy to wait at least 48 hours before sleeping on a new mattress. Especially non-organic mattresses such as the memory foam mattresses. They do release chemical gasses after you unwrap them. Sleeping on these mattresses while they are still off-gassing could lead to respiratory complications especially to people with hyper-allergic respiratory systems.
Can a Baby Sleep on a Foam Mattress?
Most adults unknowingly prefer memory foam mattresses because of their elasticity which makes them conform to your body as you lie down. However, those qualities are exceptionally dangerous to a baby, especially if they happen to roll over and sleep on their tummies.
The foam mattress, thanks to its elastic nature will indent around the head, creating a pocket of air. The baby will then be rebreathing the same air over and over leading to potential suffocation. That will also answer another popular question ‘can babies sleep on a soft mattress?’ No, they should absolutely not be put down to sleep on a soft mattress.
Foam mattresses are also poor for conducting heat and even adults find them to be too warm for a comfortable night’s sleep. Putting a baby to sleep on a foam mattress could easily lead to them overheating. That will keep waking them up and crying since they are uncomfortable.
So, What is the Healthiest Mattress to Sleep on?
In the above discussion we have pretty much delved on what not to sleep on. Naturally, the next question would be what is the most comfortable mattress to sleep on, that is also good for your health. Below is a run-down on things that make up a healthy mattress:
- Always go for organic over synthetic
There are mattress brands in the market that make their products from completely organic materials such as latex, wool, and cotton. Be sure to confirm that mattresses labeled organic have all their components holistically organic. In-depth details on why you should always pick an organic mattress over synthetic one are available at our previous blog post.
- Avoid mattresses with Synthetic Fire Retardants
Although it is standard practice for manufacturers to produce mattresses that can’t easily catch fire. There are numerous ways of achieving that, some options being safer to your health than others. For instance, foam mattresses infused with synthetic fire retardants will be off-gassing toxic chemicals into your lungs for a long time coming. On the other hand, organic mattresses made from latex or wool are naturally fire retardant.
- Avoid Spring Mattresses
There’s a study conducted by Scientific America that shows a correlation between spring mattresses and melanoma cancer. It so happens that the springs within the mattresses act like antennas that csn amplify FM and TV broadcast signals. Spring mattresses also provide a perfect habitat for dust mites, mold, and mildew to flourish given its dark and dampen environment.
Una Mattress: The Right Mattress for The Best Sleep
Different people prefer different levels of resistance as they lay down on their bed. However, firm mattresses are suitable for people that prefer sleeping on their backs or tummies. Laying down in these positions on a firm surface enables the spine to rest in its natural position. Side sleepers, on the other hand, will prefer medium to soft mattresses as they will conform to their body shape as they lay down.
Whether you are a side, stomach, or back sleeper. Always go for the organic mattresses, as they can fit each category of firmness. Although there are those who perceive organic latex mattresses as too hot to sleep on. That notion cannot be further from the truth since latex material allows for proper air circulation. Meaning heat will be conducted away from your body while sleeping on a latex mattress, unlike the experience you get with a foam mattress.
