Do you want to know what features are important in a mattress? Do you too feel like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack when you visit bedding manufacturers’ websites?
We totally understand that choosing a mattress is no easy task. And yet, the quality of your mattress has a direct impact on the quality of your sleep, which is not without consequences for your health.
This article will help you narrow down the field of possibilities and find the mattress of your dreams.
Also read: Can a bad mattress affect your sleep?
Let’s go.
What Are The Most Important Features In A Mattress?
The reason for the change?
The reason why you’re changing your mattress determines, among other things, your choice of new bedding.
Let’s say you’re looking for a mattress because you have back problems (not due to wear and tear on your old mattress), then you won’t have the same needs as someone looking to invest in a luxury mattress for hotel-style sleeping.
The four points of entry in renewing your bedding are therefore as follows:
Your mattress is 10 years old. It’s important to change your mattress every ten years to guarantee optimum comfort.
By choosing to change your bedding, you’ll gain 53 minutes of sleep every night. The lifespan of a mattress also depends on its quality.
You want to sleep naturally. You’ve read the book “24h under the influence” (don’t read the whole book #conseildepro) and you’ve decided to change your bedding to sleep more naturally.
For example, brands like Oose, André Renault, Treca, Epeda & Uounat are positioning themselves on natural bedding by choosing organic materials for the manufacture of their mattresses (cashmere, wool, silk, cotton).
Improving sleep quality. With the right mattress, you can optimize the quality of your sleep and get a good night’s rest.
This is the time when your cells renew themselves, like a reboot of your internal system. In Indian philosophy, the state of “deep sleep” in Sanskrit Suṣupti सुषुप्ति refers to “consciousness in the state of sleep”.
Sleep like you’re in a hotel. Between comfort and finesse, the firm support of the mattress combined with the softness of the mattress topper, comforter, and quality bed linen.
To sleep like a hotel, you need to choose the right mattress, the right base, and the right accessories.
What are the criteria for choosing the right mattress? Define your sleep problems!
Defining your sleeping needs is essential when choosing your bedding. If you sleep as a couple, problems can quickly arise, and it’s not always easy to get used to each other’s movements and snoring, and find the right sleep balance.
Are You Sleeping Soundly?
If you have no particular problems and your mattress is simply 10 years old, stick with it. You’ll find your mattress model on the market, or its equivalent if the model in question no longer exists.
If, however, you’d like to change brands, or switch to natural bedding for example, please contact an advisor. Many manufacturers offer similar models. Our experts are here to help.
Are You Prone To Tossing And Turning During The Night?
Stressful job, busy day and you’ve been drinking too much coffee? Throughout the day, we are confronted with stimuli from the outside world.
In the evening, when it’s time to regain your composure, the brain sometimes can’t find the resources to relax and relieve the pressure.
There are several techniques you can use to help your mind let go. Our advice? A little meditation guided by the superb Chloé Bloom and a good Yogi Tea infusion two hours before bedtime.
Above all, the right mattress. Memory foam may be a good option for those who are constantly on the move, in both head and body.
Memory foam molds to the shape of your body for a guaranteed cocooning effect.
Backache In The Morning?
If you wake up with a sore back, it’s because your mattress isn’t in the best shape, or your sleeping position isn’t right.
Simmons, for example, offers a special mattress for sensitive backs, but you can also take a look at our guide.
The ideal mattress to protect your back is one with reinforced lumbar, cervical, and spinal comfort. If you toss and turn frequently, your mattress may be too firm.
It can lead to pressure points. This is certainly the case if you’ve ever felt numb. Too much pressure from the mattress on the body also leads to poor blood circulation, resulting in even more tossing and turning.
Too hot, too cold?
Ventilation criteria and the materials used to determine your mattress’ ability to retain heat and get rid of moisture.
Some mattresses, like those made by Treca, have two sides: a winter side made of wool (royal alpaca, for example) known for its ability to retain heat.
The quality and quantity of the filling also have a direct impact on how warm or cool you feel.
Good to know: some recent mattresses, such as those by Simmons, have materials suitable for both seasons.
Your Partner Moves And That Wakes You Up!
As a general rule, feeling restless at night is due to poor sleeping independence. This is all the more noticeable when you sleep as a couple.
Depending on the technology used in the core of your mattress, you may or may not be able to feel your partner’s movements.
Did you know? We turn over about 40 times a night! If your partner is a fidgeter, you can be sure that it’s not going to be a smooth night’s sleep.
So you’ll need to find a mattress to suit you. Quality pocket-spring mattresses (pay attention to mattress price and number of springs)
What Are The Criteria For Choosing The Right Mattress? Your Sleeping Position
Did you read our article on sleeping positions? Some sleeping positions are not suitable and are even bad for your health. Here’s what our experts have to say:
Sleeping on your back is best! Sleeping on your back is a sign of relaxation and soothing. For many specialists, turning towards the sky is a sign of great confidence in others and in the world.
But above all, it’s the best position to support your back, from the cervicals to the lumbar region. Make sure you have the right thickness of cushion to ensure your head is at the perfect height.
Sleeping on your stomach is not a good idea. In fact, we don’t recommend this position, even though it can be comfortable at times.
The prone position digs into the lumbar vertebrae. If you find it difficult to sleep in any other position, place a small cushion under your pelvis, such as the Hefel cushion. Avoid mattresses that are too soft.
Varying pleasures is your watchword? In that case, alternate between sleeping on your back and on your side for better body support and more restful sleep.
When it comes to choosing the right mattress, the most important thing is to know your habits. If you find that you often sleep in an uncomfortable position, you’ll need to focus on the support aspect of your mattress.
The Size Of Your Mattress: Which Technology For Your Bedding?
One of the most important criteria in choosing your bedding is mattress technology.
The core (central part) of the mattress is made up of a particular technology that gives your mattress its main technical characteristics. These technologies can be broken down as follows:
Spring mattresses. If you don’t want to be disturbed by your partner’s movements at night, opt for a pocket-spring mattress.
Each spring is independently wrapped, so it reacts only to the area of pressure it stimulates, without causing the rest of the mattress to move.
The more springs there are, the more isolated the movements. Top-of-the-range mattresses, for example, have a large number of springs for optimum isolation of each sleeper’s movements.
Foam and memory foam. Memory foam molds to the curves of your body. What’s more, it adapts perfectly to each sleeper’s morphology, limiting pressure points.
But avoid if you tend to perspire. There are mattresses better suited to ventilation and insulation.
Latex. Sometimes overlooked, latex is a highly appreciated technology in mattress manufacture. In particular, it is an ultra-airy material that promotes thermoregulation throughout the night.
This material also offers excellent sleeping independence and good load distribution with its three comfort zones.
Not sure which technology to choose? No need to panic. Firstly, our advisors are always on hand, and you’ll find a personalized assistant on our site to help you find the right mattress for you with just a few quick questions.
The size of your mattress: an important criterion!
To choose the size of your mattress, you need to ask yourself several basic questions:
Are you alone or accompanied?
How big is your bedroom?
Do you need space for storage?
Do you have a preference for manufacture, manufacturer ethics, and materials used?
If you’re a couple, why not opt for a 160x200cm mattress? This will give you greater sleeping independence.
In other words, sleeping independence means you won’t feel your partner’s movements at night, and you’ll sleep soundly without waking up in the middle of the night.
If you’re on your own, you can opt for a 140x190cm or 140x200cm mattress, depending on your size. For greater comfort, and if your bedroom is over 13m2, you can also sleep in a queen-size bed.
What To Look For When Buying A Mattress For Back Pain?
Back pain is one of the most widespread complaints in the population. Quality bedding is highly recommended for those who suffer from it. We explain which mattress to choose for back pain.
1. Criteria To Check When Choosing A Mattress For Back Pain
To ensure a good night’s sleep, even if you suffer from back pain, here are the main criteria to consider when choosing a mattress:
2. Firmness:
A soft mattress should be avoided at all costs, as it will distort the spine and lead to more back pain. Your back muscles will work hard during the night to compensate for the mattress’ lack of support.
This is how you get up with aches and pains, i.e. muscular pains resulting from physical effort, and generally appearing after a night of exertion.
These pains are due to micro-lesions of the muscle fibers. Muscles are hard and tired.
However, beware of the opposite excess: a mattress that is too hard will similarly create back pain, as the spine, which is S-shaped, will not fit sufficiently into the mattress and will therefore be insufficiently supported.
3. Adaptability:
The ideal way to avoid back pain during sleep is to choose a mattress that adapts to the body’s morphology, offering different densities and therefore support adapted to each part of the body: head, shoulders, back, and pelvis.
4. Thickness:
Don’t skimp on mattress thickness: it’s an obvious criterion for ensuring good support and sleeping comfort. And don’t forget that a good mattress needs to be combined with a good box spring, so as not to lose any of its qualities.
5. How to choose a mattress based on technology when you have back pain?
The different types of mattress technology each offer features that can be of interest when you have back pain:
Back pain can be avoided with all technologies, provided you choose the right firmness.
Memory foam mattresses follow the body’s shape by reacting to its heat. The result is a high level of support and comfort, tailored to each sleeper’s individual morphology.
Memory foam distributes pressure points, avoiding painful contact points and even relieving back pain.
Spring mattresses are renowned for their firm, long-lasting support. The pocket springs most commonly found in mattresses guarantee good sleeping independence and well-ventilated bedding.
Natural latex mattresses combine the pleasure of a soft welcome with the performance of firm support, thanks to their elasticity.
It often offers different comfort zones, varying firmness according to the part of the body supported: softer for the shoulders and feet, firmer for the lumbar region.
Conclusion
A mattress should be adapted to your morphology, not that of your neighbor unless he shares your bed.
In that case, yes, you need to adapt to two people and find the right compromise for two people of different heights and morphology.
We have an extended article stating: How to choose a mattress topper for a heavy person?