IN THIS POST:
– Type
– Firmness
– Sleeping Position
– Budget
– Size
– Features
Any mattress that is more than 8 to 10 years old needs to be replaced. Replacing your mattress becomes especially essential if the mattress has begun to lose its shape, has sunk inwards in places, is giving you backaches, and offering restless sleep after a few years of use. Check out the guide below to choose the right mattress for a peaceful sleep.
How to Choose the Right Mattress for a Peaceful Sleep?
There are several factors to consider in order to choose the perfect mattress for a good night’s sleep. These include:
- Type
- Firmness
- Sleeping Position
- Budget
- Size
- Features
Let’s discuss each of these considerations for selecting a mattress below in detail:
Type
There are several types of mattresses available in Pakistan. These include:
Foam
Foam mattresses, also known as Polyurethane Foam or Poly-Foam mattresses, are the most commonly available in Pakistan. They are also the cheapest variety and provide adequate comfort for people shopping for a mattress on a budget. Available in both high-density and low-density options based on their manufacturing, high-density poly-foam is generally more durable.
Spring
Another classic choice for mattresses is spring mattresses, which add that extra bounce to the bed and allow it to pop back into shape as soon as the weight is gone. Rather than sinking in like a fairly used polyurethane foam mattress, spring mattresses generally have metal coils in the body of the mattress, covered by poly-foam, latex, or other soft materials. This allows comfortable sleep as the mattress supports your body weight on its internal springs and maintains the right alignment rather than letting the mattress sink under your weight.
Memory Foam
If you are looking for denser foams, consider memory foam, one of the latest additions to this industry. This kind of foam moulds itself under pressure with the application of body heat but is dense enough to actually reshape itself around the contours of your body for a cocoon-like effect, where you are cradled into a curve on the mattress, based on your individual body weight, shape, and height.
Latex
Similar to memory foam in many ways but with a more responsive bounce-back effect, multiple layers of latex usually make up this type of mattress. The softness and firmness may differ for each mattress. Latex mattresses are more durable than regular foam mattresses and offer a higher density and better support than mainstream foam mattresses. However, they will not hug your body contours completely like memory foam.
Hybrid
Many companies in Pakistan are creating hybrid versions of mattresses. A hybrid mattress is basically one that combines any two or more types to create a completely unique mattress with its own features and target market. These mattresses include a combination of latex and memory foams for a bouncy option that offers optimal support to the body, spring mattresses with latex cushioning that are bouncy and have a thick latex layer on top to prevent the springs from making sleep uncomfortable, and many more. Due to the presence of several layers, these mattresses are also often thicker than regular poly-foam alternatives.
Firmness
The firmness of a mattress is something that is subjective to every user. You may find the mattress to be too hard or too soft based on your own comfort levels. As long as your mattress keeps your spine aligned and doesn’t give you an aching back in the morning, it’s perfect for your needs. The ideal firmness can be determined by actually pressing the mattress by hand or by sitting on it and determining whether you love a mattress that sinks under your weight or one that bounces back into shape immediately after use.
Sleeping Position
Most of us change our sleeping positions through the night, but there’s still a particular sleeping position that makes us feel the most comfortable. Although few people ever consider their sleeping style while buying a mattress, it is a crucial element that should not be overlooked. Here are the three main sleeping styles and the mattresses that suit them best:
Side Sleepers
Soft mattresses that adjust to your body’s contours, like memory foam and latex, are often best for side sleepers as they offer adequate support to the body while also sinking in and making room for the shoulders, arms, and hips as needed.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers often have the trickiest time in finding a good mattress. This is because with their head on the pillow, the alignment from the neck down to the spine is already uneven, and then the gap between the mattress and the lower back can result in back pain. A mattress that is soft enough to contour to the body but is firm enough to hold its weight is the best option in this case, and you’ll need a hybrid mattress for such sleepers to get the right balance.
Stomach Sleepers
Firm mattresses are recommended for stomach sleepers so that the spine retains its alignment rather than resulting in back pain, which would be the case if a soft mattress sinks beneath your weight and takes your stomach lower than the ideal spinal alignment. Spring and latex are the two options you should consider if you prefer sleeping on your stomach.
Budget
The budget for buying a mattress can vary for every individual, and shopping for a mattress on a budget can often be challenging. Starting from a price range of PKR 5,000 to PKR 10,000 for a basic mattress, the cost can go up to PKR 1 lakh or more for just one mattress, based on the features and brand you choose.
Foam mattresses are the cheapest option, followed by latex and spring options. Memory foam mattresses, hybrid mattresses, and all mattresses offering custom features like orthopaedic back support, are on the costlier end of the spectrum. Ultimately, decide your budget before heading to the shops to choose the perfect mattress for a good night’s sleep. This will help you narrow down your choices considerably.
Size
Mattresses are generally available in single, queen, and king sizes. While some brands do offer several sizes with each varying an inch or two from the other to accommodate different buyers and their bed sizes, you might not find this feature for every brand. Most mattresses are offered as standard sizes, and if you are custom-designing your bed to create a unique shape or size, you’ll need to order a custom mattress for it as well.
Features
Before you choose the best mattress for a peaceful sleep, you might want to consider some of these additional features available in select mattresses of different brands:
Back Support
If you suffer from back pain, many companies offer special orthopaedic mattresses that align with your spinal cord to provide you with the most comfortable position and support while you sleep. Many of these are medically approved and are considered the best mattresses for back pain.
Cooling Effects
If you live in one of the hotter cities of Pakistan and feel uncomfortable sleeping on a regular mattress during the summer season, go for a cooling gel mattress that absorbs body heat and gives off a cooling sensation as you sleep. These mattresses are also designed to improve airflow within the mattress to prevent a sweaty and restless sleep.
Anti-Allergy Properties
Some companies in Pakistan offer this property in all their mattresses, while others choose to design special mattresses for those allergy-prone individuals. Mattresses can trigger allergies because they can trap dust and dirt within their body. Beat a mattress with a stick, and you’ll see a cloud of dust rising up from it in most homes. With special anti-allergy properties, these mattresses give a good night’s rest to those already suffering from allergies.
You can also consider this guide on choosing the best pillows to ensure that your sleep remains undisturbed and you wake up well-rested and ready to start a new day. Here’s how you can choose the perfect mattress for your kids.
Stay tuned to Zameen Blog for more helpful posts. Send us your comments at blog@zameen.com.
