The Ultimate Guide to Buying a New Mattress

• Back Pain: If you experience back pain, choose a mattress that provides proper back support and alignment. Consider adding comfort layers to a firmer mattress for a balance of support and softness. Avoid overly firm surfaces that can aggravate back pain.
• Joint Pain: For arthritis, fibromyalgia, or joint pain relief, look for mattresses with features like pocket coils or specialty foams like memory foam, Tempur material, or latex. These specialty foams excel at reducing pain by taking pressure off pressure points such as your shoulders, elbows, ribs, hips, and knees.
• Restless Sleep Partner: Does your partner's movement disrupt your sleep? Motion-isolating mattresses with pocket coils or specialty foams can significantly reduce motion transfer, allowing you to sleep soundly through the night.
• Temperature Regulation: If you sleep hot or cold, consider mattress features designed to regulate temperature. Cooling options include gel, graphite, or copper-infused foams, or mattresses with PCM technology that regulates sleep temperature.
• Allergies: If allergies are a concern, look for mattresses with CertiPUR-US® certified foams. These foams are free of harmful chemicals and allergens that can trigger respiratory problems, or skin irritation.
• Prefer a hugging sensation? Open cell memory foam mattresses like Tempur-Pedic® or Serta iComfort® can provide a gentle, cradling feel.

Other Buying Tips

• Test Drives Matter: Whenever possible, test different mattresses in your preferred sleep position to assess comfort and support.
• Don't Judge a Mattress by its Cover (or Edge): Resist the urge to judge a mattress by sitting on the edge or using your knee or fist. Lying down in the center is the best way to gauge comfort and support.
• Quality over Quantity: Focus on the quality of materials and construction over sheer coil count. Specialty foams can significantly enhance comfort and support.
• Beware of Comfort Exchange Periods: These may not guarantee a better mattress than your initial choice. Trust the process and prioritize finding a quality mattress.
• Invest in Longevity: Consider buying from trusted brands that use high-quality materials and offer good warranties.
• Warranty Basics: Mattress warranties cover defects, not comfort preferences.
• The Power of Pillows: If you experience neck or shoulder pain on waking, you might consider changing your pillow. The position you normally sleep in will generally determine the type of pillow you need. For more about pillows click here for “Pillow Talk”.  
• Protect Your Investment and Your Health: Using waterproof mattress and pillow protectors can extend the life of your mattress by reducing premature foam breakdown from body perspiration, and greatly help those with asthma or other respiratory issues by reducing dust mite waste.