5 Must-Knows About Mattresses
Mattresses come in firm, medium and soft. Some of us like the sensation of sinking into a bed; others don't. People who like to sleep on their backs may prefer a firmer option than those who sleep on their sides. The ideal is to achieve good 'posture' in bed - the mattress should mould to the shape of your body while remaining supportive. Too soft and your body will slouch; too firm and you'll feel pressure on your hips and shoulders. To check you've got the correct support, lie on your back, then slide the flat of your hand into the hollow of your back. If there's a gap, the bed is too firm; if it's difficult to slide your hand in at all, the bed is probably too soft.
So which mattress type? Foam, such as memory foam, will mould to the shape of your body then spring back (good ones have helped back pain sufferers get a better night's sleep); latex (ideal for allergy sufferers), and, the most popular, sprung (the more springs, the better the support, and they can be zoned across the middle for extra support).
There are three main types of sprung mattress: open sprung (the cheapest), which come in a choice of tensions; continuous, more responsive than open-sprung; and pocket, the most expensive, but most comfortable. Above the springs will be a top filling, which might be made of anything from cotton to mohair - and the more filling you have, the more luxurious the overall feel of the mattress.
When it comes to your budget, what should you spend? As a general rule, you get what you pay for, but a bargain bed is no bargain if you don't sleep well in it.
Once again, always test out several mattresses for at least 10 minutes each before buying. Take off your outdoor clothing (when did you last sleep in your coat and shoes?), and lie on it in different sleeping positions. If it's the right mattress for you, you should be able to turn comfortably and it should respond to your shape and support you. Ideally, you should do this shopping trip at the beginning of the day, while you're still fresh; later on and anything will feel welcoming!
If the bed is for two, it's important that you shop together, otherwise there's a chance that only one of you will be comfortable with the choice - and besides, beds feel different when there are two of you in it. If your weights differ quite considerably, you may need two, quite different single mattresses, zipped together. As a general rule of thumb, the heavier you are, the firmer the tension you will need.
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