What Bed Is Right for You?

Sleep is just as important as diet and exercise to your health, the National Sleep Foundation says. A deep rest of eight to 10 hours every night is essential to staying healthy and alert, but it can be difficult for a lot of people to get that much shut-eye. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep. So how do you help yourself get that much-needed rest? Finding the right bed should be the first step to solving your sleep troubles. Lets take a look at some of the mattress options available so you can make an informed decision.

What Size Is Right for You?

Twin/Full

If you’re shopping for children or young teenagers, a twin bed is usually ideal for their size. Being only 38 inches by 74 inches, you may consider upgrading to a twin XL or a full as they start to grow taller. If you’re shopping for an adult, a full-size bed may also be appropriate, as it is just the right size for one person, providing the right amount of room to spread out. Consider the position you sleep in and your sleeping style before deciding.

Queen/King

As the most popular bed size, according to The Mattress Journal, queen beds are a spacious choice for an individual, and they provide just the right amount of room for couples. As a couple, you may also consider a king bed, especially if you both like to spread out. Make sure you consider the size of your bedroom before making the choice.

What Mattress Type Is Right For You?

Memory Foam

This particular mattress has an extra firm base with a little bit of spring-back. Moulding to the shape of your body as you toss and turn throughout the night, memory foam is ideal for people suffering from back pain and growing teenagers with tight muscles. If you require extra support, a memory foam model may be for you. Note: Memory foam mattresses are known to be temperature sensitive, so it can get hot while you sleep.

Gel Foam

The gel foam mattress is one of the most common variations of the memory foam. Infused with either gel beads or gel liquid, the gel foam provides the appropriate cooling to combat the heat retention often found in memory foam mattresses. If temperature is an important consideration for you, then the gel foam mattress might be a perfect fit. However, be sure to consider the type of gel, foam, density and design, as this all impacts the level of cooling the mattress provides.

Innerspring

As one of the most popular mattresses, the innerspring has a lot of variations that provide differing levels of support and comfort. Constructed with metal coils, the general rule is that the more coils your mattress has, the more support it provides. However, it is known to have a typically bouncy feel, so if you’re in the market for a firmer mattress, then the innerspring may not be ideal.

Hybrid

Take the name of this mattress at face value, as it is a combination of the innerspring and memory foam mattresses. Consisting of both coils and a foam layer, the hybrid mattress is the best of both worlds; it is firm with a slight bounciness, and less hug and heat retention than the memory foam. As it is a combination of the two extremes, the hybrid is a safe choice for those who are not sure what level of support and firmness is wanted.

Airbed

If you and your significant other are struggling to compromise on your different support needs, then the airbed with dual chambers may be your answer. With the capability to adjust firmness levels on each side separately, this type of mattress caters to the two separate needs without having to sleep separately.

Before making a decision on which bed to buy, it’s important to do research. Mattress store websites are a great place to start as they allow you to filter by size and sleeping style, and give you information on pricing.