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| Choosing the Correct Mattress: What Are Your Options? | 
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The right mattress for a great night’s sleep is the one that meets your personal needs for comfort and support. But before you start shopping for a new mattress, you will need to know some bedding basics. With some general mattress information on the variety of choices available, it will be easier to choose the right bed for you—and get a great night’s sleep
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- Innerspring. The most widely purchased type
of bedding uses the support of tempered steel coils in a variety of configurations. Varying types and layers of upholstery provide insulation and cushioning between your body and the spring unit, resulting in a range of comfort choices.
- Foam. Solid foam mattresses also offer a wide
choice of sleeping sensations or “feels.” They can be made of a solid core or of several layers of different types of foam laminated together. Advanced technology in polyurethane foams, refinements to traditional latex and the new visco-elastic (“memory”) foams have added to the choice of comfort,support and performance.
- Airbeds. Airbeds are now designed to look like the familiar mattress/foundation (boxspring) combination, with an air-filled core providing the support instead of
an innerspring unit or foam core. These designs also offer a range of “feels” and typically are adjustable to suitindividual sleeper’s needs.
- Other Sleep Options. There are many popular mattress alternatives to address individuals’ comfort, support and space needs, including futons, adjustable beds and water beds. Futons are a popular alternative for those who need a sofa by day and a mattress by night. Electrically adjustable beds enable sleepers to adjust the head and foot of the bed to the most comfortable position. And most waterbeds are now designed to look like the familiar mattress/foundation,with a water-filled core providing support, coupled with layers of upholstery for insulation and surface comfort.
Regardless of the type of sleep system you decide to purchase, always evaluate a mattress for comfort, support, durability and space. The mattress that best addresses these needs is the mattress for you.
- Comfort . Today’s top quality mattress/foundation
ensembles are built for superior comfort. Luxurious new cushioning materials and extra-soft surface treatments create a plusher, more comfortable feel.
- Support . A good mattress and foundation will gently
support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same shape as a person with good standing posture. Pay special attention to your shoulders, hips and lower back—the heaviest parts of the body.
- Support . A good mattress and foundation will gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same shape as a person with good standing posture. Pay special attention to your shoulders, hips and lower back—the heaviest parts of the body.
- Durability. It’s the quality of the materials used and
how they’re put together that determines how long a mattress and foundation will provide comfort and support.
- Space . Cramped quarters can turn sleeping into a nightly wrestling match. A healthy person moves anywhere from 40-60 times a night,including
dozens of full body turns. You need freedom of motion while you sleep and to help you relax while getting to sleep. Make sure that your mattress gives you room to movearound comfortably throughout the night.
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Choosing The Size of Your Mattress
Two people sleeping on a full sized (‘double’) mattress only have as much personal sleeping space as a baby in a crib. It is recommended that bed partners buy a mattress no smaller than a queen mattress.
- California King 72” x 84”
- King 76” x 80”
- Queen 60” x 80”
- Full (Double) 53” x 75”
- Twin 38” x 75”
Deciding between a queen or king size mattress really boils down to personal choice. A queen bed is 60 inches wide by approximately 80 inches long, perfect for couples who prefer close quarters. King beds are 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, the best choice for couples that want maximum personal sleeping space. Both twin and full sizes are approximately 75 inches long, which may be too short for some adults, especially men. Full size allows only enough space for a single sleeper shorter than 5 feet 5 inches tall. |


Content Provided by The Better Sleep Council
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