Good Mattress Equals Great Sleep!

Sleeping well is important for us because without it, we are all in for a terrible tomorrow. While there are many factors that play significant roles in one's sleep habits and patterns, the cause may be right under your nose, and the rest of your body, when you go to sleep each night. Your mattress may be holding you back from getting a peaceful, rejuvenating night's sleep.

If you're an allergy sufferer and you wake up congested each morning, your mattress and bedding may be the culprit. Most cotton bedding has been treated with some degree of harmful chemicals in the processing and dying phases of production, while standard innerspring mattresses can make excellent homes for dust mites. The answer to more restful nights and less morning congestion could be changing your sheets, your mattress, or both.

There are people out there who could fall asleep on a block of concrete and awake rested and recharged. These people are freaks. If you're one of these people, and I just offended you, I'm sorry, but seriously, that's just not normal. For the rest of us, choosing the right mattress for our body type and sleep habits can play a HUGE role in how we wake up each morning. There are many types of mattresses on the market, figuring out which is right for you is the challenge.

Organic cotton sheets and duvets that are either not dyed or have been dyed via natural means (vegetable, mineral dyes) are ideal for allergy sufferers or anyone who wants to sleep free of pesticides and harmful chemicals. Moreover, the filling of your duvet or comforter may be playing a role in your discomfort. Treated cotton, down, or synthetic fillers can all make excellent hosts for allergy-provoking dust mites. The ideal filling material is untreated, organic wool. Wool has naturally hypoallergenic properties and resists dust mites better than most materials. Wool also has thermal-regulating properties that allow it to adjust to your body temperature as you sleep, making it perfect for all seasons.

The most common type of mattress on the market is the standard innerspring mattress. As the name implies, this mattress is comprised of steel coils, or springs in the interior of the mattress. These springs can vary in number from 300 to 700, with the higher coil count equating to a firmer, more supportive mattress. The more inexpensive innerspring mattresses are usually in the lower range as far as coil count goes, and don't provide the support most of us need. These beds can be deceiving. A soft, ultra-giving mattress feels great when you lay down, but doesn't provide the support your back, hips and shoulders need, often resulting in more tossing and turning, and thus achy joints and muscles in the morning. If you like the softer feel, but still want the support, look for an innerspring mattress with a pillow top. This extra, sewn-on layer of cushioning should do the trick.

The cotton and synthetic materials in a standard innerspring mattress can also contribute to sleepless nights for allergy sufferers. The answer is a foam or latex mattress. Latex and foam can be up to 300% more resistant to dust mites than other materials. Latex mattresses are also hypoallergenic and work to dissipate heat and humidity while you sleep. Another benefit of foam and latex is they generally offer better support and can relieve pressure points and take stress off of your joints. Not only will you awake clear and free of congestion, but also ache and pain free.

If you've tried multiple innerspring mattresses and still aren't getting a restful night's sleep on a consistent basis, it may be time to consider a foam or latex mattress. These mattresses are often more expensive than their innerspring counterparts, but are unrivaled when it comes to the support they can provide. Memory foam and latex adapts to the contours of your body, providing custom support at every turn. These mattresses are ideal for those who wake up achy and sore on a consistent basis and for chronic arthritis sufferers.

Foam and latex mattresses can be expensive. If one of these godsends isn't in your budget, consider a mattress pad or topper to spruce up your existing mattress. These foam or latex toppers sit right atop your existing mattress, giving you a layer of protection and comfort, without the hefty price tag.