5 Signs it might be time for a new mattress
Buying the right mattress is one of the most important decisions you can make for your overall health.
Is it time to buy a new mattress?
If you’re not sure, ask yourself these 5 simple questions.
- Does your mattress sag?
- Do you wake up in pain?
- Does your mattress aggravate your allergies?
- Is your mattress noisy when you turn over or change positions?
- Does your mattress smell?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to look into buying a new mattress.
How well you sleep can determine what kind of day, week or even month you’ll have. This makes buying the right mattress one of the most important decisions you can make for your overall health. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a few tips to help you on your mattress buying journey.
The Influencer Effect
It’s easy to look at a mattress online and decide it’s the one for you because it’s a recognized name or a flashy brand. Keep in mind that influencers are making a great living telling you what to buy. But when it really comes down to it, you’re the one who will be sleeping on it for hours, every single night.
Do your research online and jot down the features that catch your eye, then you may wish to pay a visit to your local mattress store to physically test the mattresses on your list. While you’re in-store, talk to a professional and ask as many questions as you need to so that you feel comfortable that you’re moving in the right direction. Whether you end up purchasing at a brick and mortar or you purchasing online, you will know you’ve made the best-informed decision for you.
Talk About Comfort and ask about Firmness Levels
Most importantly, don’t be shy about your line of questioning. It’s important you choose the mattress that’s best for you.
What’s your sleep position?
How you sleep plays a big role in determining which mattress is best for you.
Side Sleeper: Soft to medium firm levels to help keep your spine aligned.
Stomach Sleeper: A firm mattress so your pressure points don’t sink too far.
Back Sleeper: Medium firmness to assist with proper alignment.
Combination Sleeper: Medium firmness to best support your changing positions.
Body type is also a factor when determining the right amount of firmness.
Temperature control
If you sleep warm, a cooling mattress may be your best friend. Keep in mind that not all cooling materials are made equal and talking with a mattress professional will give you more clarity on this growing trend.
Other suggested discussion topics:
- Why you are looking for a new mattress and issues you may
be experiencing with your existing one. - Additional information on the features you’ve been reading about online
- Durability
- Delivery and in-home set up
- Warranty
- Return Policy
Our schedules are busy and you’ll find that most mattress stores will let you book an appointment ahead of time, so you don’t have to wait to talk to a professional. If this is a feature your local retailer offers, it’s worth making the appointment.
Visit our store locator and find a retailer near you!
Since 1992, Sound Sleep Products has been proudly crafting quality mattresses in the U.S.A. The Sound Sleep Products headquarters is located in a state-of-the-art facility in Washington, near the Puget Sound and iconic Mount Rainier. John Larson, owner and CEO leads the Sound Sleep team developing new product lines and preparing for continued growth.
WANT TO SLEEP BETTER? TRY THESE SLEEP ENHANCING FRUITS
As we hear and read about studies in the science of food, we have noticed three healthy fruits that are known for improving your quality of sleep.
- Cherries, Kiwis and Bananas are the three foods proven to help you sleep better
- Eating 1-2 kiwis an hour before bed will help you sleep longer
- Bananas have been found to contain nutrients that can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer
With 40% of the UK and 35% of America suffering with symptoms of insomnia there are growing nationwide health concerns. This is due to the range of mental and physical issues that can arise from a lack of sleep.
Diet and sleep are huge factors of our everyday health, and every individual responds differently to foods and other remedies that are supposedly good for sleep. Below are a few reasons you might want to try these foods.
Tart Cherries
Tart cherries and/or tart cherry juice have performed well in studies for sleep. One study indicates that consuming two one-cup portions of tart cherry juice daily resulted in the ability to fall asleep faster, more overall sleep time and significantly less awakenings during the night.
Cherries have higher concentrations of melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates circadian rhythm (the natural, internal process that regulates the sleep–wake cycle) and promotes healthy sleep. Tart cherry juice also increases the bioavailability of tryptophan which has been found to decrease the time taken to fall asleep. The enzymes within the cherries keep the tryptophan in the body longer so not only do you fall asleep quicker but stay asleep longer.
It’s important to note that tart cherry juice can contain added sugar, when too much sugar is incorporated into a diet can be harmful, so it’s recommended to choose no added sugar options if available. However, the pure fruit is full of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber so can offer many other health benefits such as:
- Reduces muscle soreness
- Reduces inflammation
- Improves brain function
- Strengthens immune system
When adding the fruit or the juice into your bedtime routine it’s advised to consume daily in the morning and 1-2 hours before bedtime for optimal effect.
KiwiKiwifruit are well known for their significant number of nutrients and antioxidants as well as high levels of fiber, folate and potassium. However beyond just their health values, kiwis have been said to have sleep inducing qualities, allowing those who eat it before bed to fall asleep faster and for longer. It’s been hypothesized that the high antioxidant capacity, serotonin and folate content of kiwifruit may contribute to the observed sleep benefits of kiwifruit consumption.
Serotonin is one of the key chemicals that is found in high doses in kiwis. It is an end product of L-tryptophan metabolism, which is related to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and low levels may cause insomnia. Folate deficiencies can also lead to symptoms of insomnia and fatigue, thus the levels of folate in kiwis could improve sleep quality for those who suffer with sleep conditions. It’s also been suggested that the anti-inflammatory antioxidants in kiwis, such as vitamin C and carotenoids, may be partly responsible for their sleep-promoting effects as well.
The research shows in this study that when kiwi was consumed over a period of 4 weeks it was found to improve sleep onset, duration and efficiency. Although it’s been noted more research is currently required into kiwis, the current studies suggest that eating 1-2 kiwis an hour before bed may help people to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Bananas
As a good source of magnesium, vitamin B6, and protein, Bananas are also widely known for having a lot of potassium. The hormones serotonin and melatonin that are produced as a result of these nutrients are key to falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer.
Tryptophan, an important amino acid that can be found in bananas, has been shown to enhance the quality of sleep. Since tryptophan cannot be produced by the body, eating a banana helps to increase levels of the amino acid. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation by slowing down signals to nerve cells, and tryptophan aids in the production of serotonin. Melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep and regulates our circadian rhythm, often known as the sleep-wake cycle, is regulated by serotonin.
Bananas are also a good source of magnesium, which supports a healthy circadian cycle, the body’s internal clock. Magnesium also impacts the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that regulates the pituitary and adrenal glands. These glands enhance the stress hormones when magnesium levels are low. A banana can be the ideal food to help you relax before bed because stress and worry are frequently linked to sleep issues including insomnia.
Given that bananas are among the top sources of potassium, it is important to note the health advantages of potassium. Low potassium levels make your muscles rigid, which leads to cramps and spasms, making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. A banana’s additional potassium aids in successfully stopping and starting muscle contractions, reducing the likelihood that cramps and spasms may keep you awake.
The combined nutrients and chemicals, and impacts these have on the body, make bananas a great bedtime snack to help those who struggle to sleep.