The seniors guide to finding the perfect mattress
Frank Apodaca, from The Sleep Judge, loves helping people get a better night’s sleep. Here, he shares his tips for choosing the best mattress.
Growing older and experiencing body changes are, unfortunately, the facts of life regardless if you chase the fountain of youth ‘til the end of days! This natural cycle your body will go through is nothing to be ashamed of but instead something to embrace with the practice of ageing gracefully. When a person grows older, the tissues and muscles that make up the human body will go through a natural deterioration and suddenly the simplest things or movements will irritate your body. Suddenly, you are unable to walk the same speed without feeling pain in your hips or knees or perhaps your muscles ache without any provocation or a simple twist of your head.
There are many things you can do to help alleviate and reduce the side effects of ageing. From shoes and inserts to the mattress you sleep on can create a world of difference in your body’s ageing process. A sturdy mattress with a memory foam base or even quilted topper can support your muscles and contour to your body, adjusting to the changes you are experiencing. There are some basic guidelines that should be followed when making the major purchase of a new mattress, and throughout this article, we will discuss what steps to take to make the best decision for yourself or as a couple.
Determine the best style of mattress for you
With the numerous styles and types of mattresses available today, it can be overwhelming trying to sort through them all and determine what mattress will suit your needs. From latex to memory foam, to air mattresses to water; the first step is to narrow down the best mattress for you. Consult your doctor and ask what, if any, health issues you experience will benefit from a certain style over the other. Armed with this knowledge, research different styles of mattresses and visit your local retailer to personally test the varieties in the style you chose. Eliminate the cheaper mattresses that do not offer the correct amount of support and look for mattresses with added features such as adjustable heights or temperature controls.
Memory foam mattresses tend to be popular with the older generation as they contour to the body and evenly distributes body weight, which in turn, will reduce pressure points and allow the body to fully relax into a deep sleep state.
Consider your sleeping patterns
Ask your partner to or take note of the position you fall asleep in versus the position you are in when you wake up. By doing this for a set number of nights, you can determine if you are a side sleeper, stomach sleeper or back sleeper. The mattress you choose should support the body in whichever sleep position is your preferred state. There are mattresses that are better for back sleepers, designed to provide proper back support and mattresses that will contour to those who sleep on their sides.
If you find yourself waking up throughout the night in a hot flash, a cooling mattress or a mattress that will breathe on its own while still providing support is a safe bet to sleep on. Latex mattresses will offer natural cooling while its firm design will ensure you wake up feeling refreshed.
Listen to your body
If you find yourself waking up throughout the night or in the morning with aches and pains in areas you haven’t experienced pain in before, it could be time to consider a new mattress. Without a proper sleep schedule, your body will break down and cease to repair itself. A person who continuously maintains a proper sleep schedule will be more alert and will have a better immune system needed to defend against disease or viruses that attack an ageing body easier than a younger one.
The mattress you choose should suit your physical makeup and provide optimal support. Without proper support, the body rests in a “sagged” position, sinking into itself and increasing aches felt from head to toe.
Ageing is a natural process that cannot be stopped unless you are Peter Pan or have developed a time machine. The easiest way to embrace ageing is to enjoy it and roll with the punches on all the new experiences life will throw your way. The age of retirement can be a fun new chapter of your life.
Help your body make necessary adjustments throughout the process and use the objects available to the older generation to ensure your body is still running in top shape. Purchase a new mattress which has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years and will adjust with your body.
Listen to the most important person when purchasing a new mattress – you. Your body, your choice! There isn’t exactly a best or worst mattress when purchasing new but choose a better and supportive one that suits your individual needs. Talk to friends and family and see what they suggest, along with discussing with your healthcare professional on what will benefit you the most. Talk to experts and visit local retailers to find the best bang for your buck and select a company that will offer warranties, trial periods and more! Here’s to getting older but wiser!