Improve Your Sleep With A Good Bed and Mattress
The importance of a good night sleep should never be underestimated. We spend an approximate third of our lives asleep, and studies have shown our health is strongly related to the quality of our sleep. Vital for maintaining both mental and physical health, it helps us to recover from our day’s graft, whether that’s sat at a desk, working frantically to meet a deadline or running around looking after the kids.
Not only does it help us feel rested, it impacts on our metabolism, stress levels and can alter our immune function – so needless to say, sleep matters!
And what you’re sleeping on can play a large part in how well you sleep – there are numerous different types of frames and mattresses and working out the right one for you could be a real game-changer for your sleep habits.
Here are some ideas for how to improve your sleep with a good bed and mattress.
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam has been around for several decades and was even used in the mid-1960s for NASA airplane seats. In more recent years, it has been utilised in pillows, mattress toppers and of course memory foam mattresses. They work by moulding to your body in response to pressure and heat, evenly distributing body weight. They then return to their original shape once you get up.
They are incredibly comfortable but are very much a personal choice – some people revel in the sensation of sinking into the bed, whereas others aren’t so keen. Benefits include being less aware of other people’s movements because there are no coils. And in several sleep studies, participants have reported it can relieve painful pressure points, particularly in the back.
Also, memory foam mattresses are hypoallergenic – they don’t collect dust, so are ideal if you have allergies or asthma.
They now come in a wealth of sizes, including a single memory foam mattress, double memory foam and king size memory foam. The Eve Mattress comes in all sizes and provides buyers with a 100-night sleep no quibble return.
In terms of choosing the best memory foam mattress for you – it’s very much an individual choice – the best way to determine the right mattress for you is quite simply to lie on it!
Also, think about your position when you sleep – do you sleep on your back, your front or your side? That will also make a difference in terms of how each mattress feels when you lie on it.
Pocket Sprung Mattress
A pocket sprung mattress is the antithesis of a memory foam mattress. While you will sink into memory foam, with a pocket sprung mattress, you will be lying on top of it. These mattresses are a modern type of traditional spring mattress, which have evolved to see each pocket spring encased individually, allowing them to move independently of each other.
There are many advantages to a pocket sprung mattress – having the springs encased has resulted in a smoother and more supportive feel. Mattresses can also vary dramatically in terms of the number of springs, which gives you a greater deal of choice when it comes to choosing the most comfortable mattress for you.
In comparison to a memory foam mattress, a pocket sprung mattress doesn’t respond to pressure the same way, which means you will be more aware of the pressure of various areas on your body such as hips and chest. Those with back pain may feel they don’t get the level of support they need.
Given the sheer level of choice when it comes to pocket sprung mattresses, it’s worth trying each one to see which mattress offers the right level of firmness for you. The Cashmere 3200 Pocket Sprung Mattress has 3200 pocket springs and is traditionally handmade using layers of natural materials including cotton, silk, wool and cashmere. It’s available in a range of sizes and is the perfect fit for an upholstered bed frame.
Latex Foam Mattress
Designed to outlast most traditional spring mattresses, a latex mattress combines latex foam with springs, foam or other natural fillings, providing a soothing, comfortable night’s sleep.
In its natural form, latex comes from the sap of a rubber tree – it is sustainably harvested throughout the tree’s natural lifespan, which can often be up to 50 years and over. Once harvested, the latex is poured into moulds and baked – with the ability to completely customise the thickness and firmness of the mattress.
There are many pros to a latex foam mattress, including:
Durability – these mattresses maintain their shape and performance for a long time, making it a great investment.
Pressure-relieving – the latex foam reacts rapidly to your weight, shape and movement, helping to support your body, which can be beneficial for any kind of aches and pains.
Hypoallergenic – naturally resilient to dust mites!
Environmentally friendly – latex foam is one of the eco-friendliest mattresses going.
Take a look at the Latex 1200 mattress which features 1200 pocket springs and luxurious layers of latex and wool, to provide you with a wonderful night’s sleep.
Pillow Top Mattress
So-called because of the extra layer stitched on top of the mattress, a pillow top mattress provides the ultimate in comfort.
It is similar to any other mattress aside from its top layer, which tends to consist of several padding layers, creating a soft, luxurious pillow style top. The beauty of a pillow mattress is that it gives you that softer feeling but still provides you with the level of firmness your body needs.
Our range of Pillow Topper Mattresses is traditionally handmade in the UK, using hand-tufted wool with luxury mini springs throughout the pillow topper, to provide the ultimate in comfort.
Ultimately, a mattress is a very personal choice. Everyone sleeps differently – from their position, to how lightly/deeply they sleep and whether they suffer from any aches and pains – the only way to determine if the mattress is right for you is to try it.
Bed Frames
You may already have a bed frame for your mattress but if not, that too can provide you with a multitude of options.
From the type of bed frame, such as metal bed frames to wooden bed frames and upholstered frames, there is also the opportunity to look at adding some storage options, with the likes of an ottoman bed frame or divan bed not only a stylish option but they also provide drawers, ideal for bedding, towels and much more.
While the mattress is also about a good night’s sleep, the frame will help to complement the style of your room – from a contemporary look to a rustic look, take your time to factor in the finished aesthetic of your bed so it fits in with the rest of your room, unless you’re planning on redecorating!