We spend one third of our life sleeping. It is during the sleep that our body rejuvenates. Hence having a Good Sleep is of utmost importance for a Great Health. A bad mattress can cause a host of including back and neck pain and unsatisfying sleep that leaves you tired all day. Experts recommends that mattresses be replaced every 5 to 7 years, but many people sleep on a mattress that is giving them improper support and should be replaced sooner.

It is important to whether mattress you are using is best suited for you or not. There is a possibility that your mattress may not be a right  fit you for several reasons. The most common issue is that the mattress might not be  providing proper support to align your spine as you sleep, which causes you to wake up with discomfort, pain, or the need to stretch out kinks and stiffness. The mattress may also not have the right type or number of pressure relief layers, which can leave you tossing and turning all night in an effort to ease the pressure and cause you to wake unrefreshed and still tired.

The best thing is to be aware about your feeling when you get up in the morning. If you feel one or more of the following points, it is worth considering to look for a better mattress, viz :

You wake up feeling tiredYou have been tossing and turning during the nightYour mattress has sag more than 1” from its initial thickness levelYour mattress has lumpsYou hear lot of cracking soundYou are having signs of allergies

There are multiple variables like material ( Coir, Foam, Latex, Spring etc), Firmness level ( Soft, medium, firm), Combination of layers, Price etc. This makes the mattress buying bit confusing. To make a right choice, consider following factors :

Look for a mattress with the proper level of spinal alignment support for your body. When you lie on your back, you should not feel your back arch at all. Someone looking at you from a distance should see your head, hips and toes all in line with each other, which probably means your shoulders and hips are settled into the mattress somewhat. There should not be space between your lower back and your mattress.Look for a mattress with the proper level of pressure relief for your body. When you lie on your side, you should not feel any pressure on your shoulder or hip.Look for a mattress that isolates motion from one side of the mattress to the other.Be prepared to take your time and ask questions. Buying a mattress shouldn’t be a rush decision but something you spend time looking into. Start with a comfort test on good-quality mattresses and determine your comfort preference. Try plush and firm mattresses to see which feels more comfortable and supportive. Decide what you need to buy based on your preferences.

People who struggle with back pain want to find a mattress that is not-too-firm and not-too-soft. A medium-firm mattress ensure that the user sink into the mattress just the right amount so that the spine stays in proper neutral alignment. Also, the mattress should feature good lumbar support, and this will also help prevent and alleviate back pain.

The best way to resolve this dilemma is to check the Spine Alignment. When our spine is in its natural position, the neck, middle back and lower back are in alignment. This means that your lungs are able to take in more oxygen, increasing circulation and relieving joint and muscle pains. On the contrary, poor alignment during sleep prevents the body from relaxing, therefore causing you to not only get less sleep but feel poorly when you wake up the next morning. To ensure you’re getting your best sleep every night, choosing a mattress that is not too firm or too soft for your personal sleep style is key.

While having a firmer mattress provides your bones with more resistance and support, a softer mattress can give you the comfort and cushion you need to sleep comfortably. Generally, softer mattresses are best for back and side sleepers, as they conform to joints and the spine, providing you with enough cushion and support.

Coir mattress gives good support to the body during sleep due to its natural spring quality. It is made of natural, chemical free, non harmful material. It is good for sleep in addition to being eco friendly. It has an anti dust quality and is thus good for those people having any kind of dust allergies. Coir mattress ensures good air circulation and has a natural cooling tendency.

An orthopedic mattress is a type of mattress that offers support to the joints. Orthopedic mattresses are typically recommended for people who sleep with pain, people who are in active recovery from injury, seniors and athletes or other people who are active. Orthopaedic mattress provides great support and spine alignment. These mattress also helps in relieving pressure so that you don’t have pain build ups in pressure points and you feel more comfortable.

The best pillow for neck and shoulder pain is firm enough to hold the head at a healthy angle, but soft enough to alleviate pressure points. It should have a good bounce so that it fills up the contours of the neck.

A pillow that doesn’t support your head and neck properly can create tension in your neck muscles, and cause neck pain. Good quality fibre pillow which has a good bounce and fluffy feel or memory-foam pillows may allow your head to be “cradled” at night, allowing for a neutral spine and neck

A general rule of thumb is to replace your pillows once every 1-2 years. You’ll know it’s time for a replacement when your pillows don’t provide enough support. You should consider replacing your pillow when :

Your pillow has noticeable lumpsIt is flat enough to foldYou have neck and shoulder pain when you wake up in the morningYou often wake up tired.It smells badYou frequently wake up sneezing

A mattress protector is an item of removable bedding that sits on top of, or encases, a mattress to protect it. Some mattress protectors also provide protection to the person sleeping on the mattress from allergens and irritants such as dust mites, bed bugs, mold, and dead skin (like dandruff)