Sleep is an essential part of our health and makes a dramatic difference in how you feel the rest of the day. Science has repeatedly shown that 7-8 hours of sleep is optimal for us to recover, repair, and recharge ourselves, but have you ever considered that 8 hours is a third of your day? It should go without saying, then, that your choice in mattress is a hugely significant decision. Now you may be thinking, aren’t all mattresses pretty much the same? If this is you, then consider yourself lucky for never having to spend the night tossing and turning only to slog through the best moments of the following day.
So, what are the most important considerations you should pay attention to as you are shopping for a new mattress? Here are the five most significant pieces of advice to keep in mind.
1. Bigger is (usually) better!
When shopping for a mattress, the saying that “bigger is better” really rings true. The reality is that there is nothing worse when you are trying to sleep than feeling like you are constricted and unable to move. If you share the bed, consider prioritizing the space for at least a queen-sized mattress. Even if you don’t currently share your bed with a partner, there’s a good chance that you will at some point before you would otherwise have to replace it. Just make sure it’s going to fit and take measurements, including space to easily move around it first!
2. Do Your Research
There is an enormous number of choices when it comes to buying a new mattress. As with anything in life, some options are better quality than others. The actual quality is not always reflected in the price, however, and so you will likely come across deals that seem great but end up being too good to be true. Don’t be someone that falls for it! Make sure to do your research on any brand (especially newer start-up brands) and read plenty of reviews online.
3. Find The Genuine Article
Just as some mattress brands advertise themselves as a premium product only to leave their customers regularly disappointed, there also seems to be a growing trend in the number of counterfeit mattresses sold by individual vendors on websites like Craigslist and Offerup. Major brands like Tempurpedic that charge a premium for their quality product are most susceptible to impersonators, who will lure customers in claiming to be selling the genuine article for as much as 80% off. Please do yourself a favor and spend the extra money on buying it from a trusted source. (1)
4. Invest In Your Future
We already recognize just how critical sleep is, but did you know that innerspring and memory foam mattresses have a lifespan of 8-10 years? (2) The mattress decision you make today will be something you sleep on (literally!) almost every day for approximately the next decade. Our advice? Take the time to save some money if you have to, but give yourself the gift of great sleep and invest in a quality mattress.
5. Try Before You Buy
You could read a huge number of mattress reviews online, but the truth is that everyone is going to have their unique preferences when it comes to mattresses. What feels like sleeping on a rock to some may be too soft for others, and the choice of memory foam vs. innerspring is also personal. The best strategy includes a trip to the mattress store so that you can try before you buy! Also, don’t forget to take advantage of most mattresses companies’ offers to a money-back guarantee.
Knowing these concepts will leave you ahead of the curve in your mattress shopping experience. Best of luck to you, and may you find that your best sleep is yet to come!
