by Sarah Williams
Choosing the right bed is important as we spend a 1/3 of our day in bed.
The truth is no one bed will suit everyone, but before you take the plunge, ask yourself the following about your current sleeping arrangement:-
Do your bed accessories suit you?
Changing pillows and duvets can save you some pennies.
Is your bed is too firm?
A mattress topper might resolve this. A common assumption is the harder the mattress the better, this is not entirely true. Too firm can cause discomfort and irritate muscle aches and pains, too soft can lead to no support and poor sleep posture.
Is your sleep posture the problem?
Some sleep postures put more pressure on your spine…cough front sleeping cough.
Do you practise good sleep hygiene?
Good sleep hygiene will contribute to a better night sleep. Try to decrease naps during the day, use blacked out curtains, set yourself a bedtime, take your time getting up in the morning and limit the use of electronics in the room you sleep such as phones and computers.
Ready to take the plunge? top tips when bed shopping:-
- You need a bed that keeps your spine neutral (this is a BIG one). Sleep posture is a huge factor in buying a bed, you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable or twisted. Working out your sleep posture can be just as (if not more) important than bed type. For example, if you wriggle a lot in your sleep a softer mattress such as memory foam might not suit you, this is because memory foam adapts to your body and the weight distribution is different when sleeping on your side compared to sleeping on your back or front, therefore this transition period where the mould is adapting can ( we stress for SOME not all) cause irritation.
- Read the small print. A lot of companies have long return/refund policies. Company policies are there for a reason if your new bed doesn’t suit try again.
- Be careful of the word orthopaedic. It sounds great but in the bed world it can be a generic term.
- If you are really struggling, start by looking at the medium firm beds first- the best of both worlds bed. From here, find the bed that is halfway between comfort and support.
- Check the warranty for each bed, the general recommendation is to change your bed every 8-10 years, however some beds may be longer/ shorter.
- Spend 10- 20 minutes trying the bed out. If you have the perfect pillow, bring it with you, it will make a difference!
- If you are buying for you and your partner, you both need to be there. Your needs will be different. A good mattress is a comfortable and supportive one, but the support needed will vary. For example, if a 20 stone person and an 8 stone person share the same bed, their review of the bed will not be the same. When buying for two, it is possible to have 2 mattresses that zip together or combination mattress which has different firmness each side.
