Sleep is a major part of the body’s health and wellness. During sleep, the body sends hormones and other substances to heal injuries. The brain empties the memories and pictures of today to make space for those of tomorrow. The stresses of the day are removed from the skin and eyes. The body is rejuvenated, and you awaken ready to leap out of bed and tackle the day.

So how does a mattress make all this happen? How does it contribute to our quality of sleep? First, we need to know what sleep quality is. Then we will discuss how a mattress helps you get it.

What Is Sleep Quality?

From childhood, we’ve been told to get a good night’s sleep. We were told that eight to nine hours were enough for this good night’s sleep. As we grew older, though, and technology exploded, we found that it wasn’t the hours we were sleeping that determining sleep quality.

We heard about blue light, stress, fatigue, sleep apnea, caffeine, as well as all the varying diseases and health conditions someone had found a name for that week. These, we were told, prevented us from getting quality sleep. However, they didn’t tell us what quality sleep was. Well, here you go:

• Quality is the measure of how well something works

• You fall asleep quickly, for instance, in less than 30 minutes

• You sleep through the night without waking more than once

• If you do awaken, then you fall right back to sleep

• You awaken refreshed, rested, and ready to take on the day

How A Mattress Impacts The Body

If you were a Girl Scout as a kid, then you remember sleeping bags on tent floors. You couldn’t get comfortable, so you picked the spot of least impact and just fell asleep. We didn’t worry about the curvature of our spines or joint support. We just did it.

That’s how a mattress impacts the human body. It offers support for joints, the curvature of the spine, as well as supporting the weight and body shape of the sleeper. A good mattress prevents the sleeper from tossing and turning all night, prevents lower back pain, and decreases stress.

Today’s mattresses are made of quality memory foam, gel, latex, hybrid, innerspring, or air. Foam and gel mattresses are good for support, while innerspring mattresses are bouncy. Some innerspring mattresses add foam or latex foam for extra support. Quality air and water mattresses offer good support as well.

How A Mattress Can Improve Your Overall Sleep Quality

Now we know what sleep quality is and how a mattress affects the body. So, how does the mattress improve your sleep quality?

Restful Sleep

We’ve all known someone who got into a car accident on the way to work. S/he wasn’t getting restful sleep. S/he was dozy and confused, with anxiety and depression as background. This person is probably sleeping on an old, worn-out mattress. It’s no longer supportive, so a restful sleep is a thing of the past. S/he needs a new mattress before another accident happens.

Lower Back Pain

It’s a well-researched fact that lower back pain results from an unsupportive mattress. Inner springs that have lived past their use-by date are one of the first culprits of lower back pain. The springs are no longer strong enough to support the sleeper, so the mattress sags in the sleeper’s favorite or most comfy spot. Lower back pain is the result. Get a new mattress ASAP.

Aches And Pains

When your mattress is no longer strong and firm, your joints begin to suffer. When you dig your feet in to turn over, your knees, hips, and shoulders will feel the pain. Sleeping in a certain position on the bed for a long time will also affect the joints. The body comes out of its ideal alignment. Pain is the result. You need a new mattress.

Allergies

Anyone with asthma or COPD will tell you that sleeping on an allergen-reduced mattress is the difference between quality sleep and a trip to the ER due to the inability to breathe. Dust mites are the problem here. They feed on the dead skin cells, oils, and dust from our bodies. The elderly, small children, and those with compromised immune systems are at risk. Using mattress protectors that zip around the mattress and buying eco-friendly mattresses help.

Night Sweats

It’s a statistical fact that cold temperatures foster quality sleep. However, you can be sleeping in a meat locker, but your mattress could be making you sweat. If you’re awakening in the night to wipe your brow, then you’re sleep isn’t consistent. This ends up in fatigue and irritability the next day. Make sure you test a mattress for heat retention before you buy it. It makes a difference.

Weight Control

Restless, sleepless nights due to a bad mattress leads to significant weight gain. You’ll reach for something sugary to give you a burst of energy first thing in the morning. You’ll reach for caffeine to wake you up, and keep drinking it all day to keep you going. These things contain enough sugar to float a boat the size of Titanic. You won’t feel like exercising, so you’ll reach for another boost of energy. You need a new mattress pronto.

Blood Pressure And Circulation

Poorly supported mattresses don’t give the body what it needs for blood circulation. This leads to high blood pressure, and that means trouble. A good supportive mattress doesn’t allow the body to sink into it. This is what cuts off the blood circulation. Without oxygenated blood circulating throughout the body, the heart suffers. If your doctor tells you your blood isn’t circulating properly or that you have high or even low blood pressure, then get yourself to the mattress store.

Conclusion

Your health is important not only to you but to your family and friends. Give yourself the best health and wellness possible by buying a new mattress today.