| It seem's like for the last few years, everytime I woke | | | | recommend that you choose your mattress based on |
| up, I felt like I had aged 10 - 15 years. I thought it was | | | | the softness or firmness you prefer. |
| my aging body, until I spent some time in a few hotels | | | | The aerobed provides comfort and support together |
| and actually woke up refreshed. I realized that my | | | | through the use of air. The softness is changed by |
| problem was actually my aging mattress and that I | | | | using more or less air in the chamber. In some models, |
| could potentially feel years younger if I gave my body | | | | the firmness can be set to different levels on the |
| the support it needs while resting. No surprise, this | | | | different sides of the bed. This allows sleep partners |
| support can best be accomplished with a good | | | | to choose their own comfort level. Sleep Number Beds |
| mattress. | | | | by Select Comfort are marketed as having a unique |
| The million dollar question is, what mattress to choose | | | | air chamber design which allows each sleeper to |
| and how much should to pay. It seems like a $99 | | | | adjust the mattress to the firmness or softness they |
| mattress couldn't come close to supporting my back | | | | prefer. A waterbed uses a similar system using water |
| and body. Also, a $1000 mattress would be overkill. To | | | | instead of air. The firmness of a waterbed mattress |
| best answer this question, it's important to understand | | | | however, is created through the use of multiple baffles |
| the basics about the various types of mattresses. | | | | to reduce the motion and sag allowed by the older |
| A mattress provides support during sleep by | | | | "water balloon" models. Most modern waterbed |
| countering the effects of gravity on the body. The | | | | mattresses are designed to look like standard |
| type of mattress used determines the method of | | | | mattresses and fit standard bed frames. One of the |
| support. A standard bed mattress uses innerspring | | | | nice features of a waterbed is that the temperature |
| coils to provide the lift to counter gravity's pull. An | | | | can be easily adjusted. |
| aerobed uses pockets of air to support the body, while | | | | One newer choice in mattresses is the foam mattress. |
| a waterbed uses a mattress filled with water for | | | | Also known as the memory foam mattress. |
| support. Also, thanks to modern technology, we have | | | | Tempur-Pedic beds are made of an open-cell memory |
| the tempur mattress that is made of visco foam and | | | | foam. Other foam mattresses market that they made |
| responds to both body weight and body heat to | | | | of visco memory foam. Many consumers mistakenly |
| conform to the body for complete support. | | | | believe there is a difference between Tempur-Pedic |
| So what are the advantages of each type of | | | | mattresses and visco foam mattress technology. In |
| mattress? The bed mattress which uses innerspring | | | | fact, all products made by the Lexington based |
| coils, is a long-lasting, dependable source of support. | | | | company are made of the same material. Although |
| The comfort level of this type of mattress can be | | | | memory foam was originally developed for use by |
| adjusted by varying the amount of padding and by the | | | | astronauts, this manmade material uses body heat and |
| use of different fabrics for the covering. | | | | weight to provide support and conform to your body |
| Contrary to popular belief, the softness or firmness of | | | | without creating pressure points. The benefit is an |
| a mattress does not affect the support level since | | | | incredibly peaceful sleep, because of the lack of |
| most quality innerspring systems are actually the same | | | | tossing and turning. The most common problem |
| among different beds. A softer bed can provide just | | | | consumers have with Tempurpedic overlays is that |
| as much support as a firmer one, the only difference is | | | | they sleep hotter when compared to conventional |
| the amount of plush material placed on top of the | | | | sleeping surfaces. A drawback that few can argue |
| springs. With some manufacturers, the cost of the | | | | about Tempurpedic, is the high cost. Less expensive |
| mattress does affect the support system by varying | | | | memory foam models use a less dense foam, which |
| the coil count. The higher the cost, the more coils there | | | | provides a lower level of support, but they cost less. |
| are to support the body. | | | | When shopping for a foam mattress, your main criteria |
| However, the coil count of a mattress should not be | | | | will be to compare density and firmness between |
| your only consideration. I used to have a Stearns and | | | | various mattresses. Density is measured in lbs. (4 - 6 is |
| Foster brand mattress which had the same lower coil | | | | preferred) and firmness is measured by ILD |
| count in every mattress no matter the price. Sterns | | | | (indentation load deflection with 13 - 15 preferred). |
| and Foster maintained that their coils were made with | | | | Whatever type of mattress you choose, know that |
| a heavier weight metal and so they were able to | | | | increasing the support your body receives at night will |
| provide more support with fewer coils. Before you ask | | | | allow you to get a more peaceful, restful nights sleep. |
| which mattresses use heavier weight metal for their | | | | This will allow your body to awaken rejuvenated and |
| springs, just know that name brand innerspring | | | | feeling years younger. |
| mattresses all use excellent support systems. I | | | | |