5 Things to Know About Mattresses

Mattresses aren’t exactly rocket science or anything. But there are some things that you ought to know about them anyway.

1. There are a lot of different kinds. That’s because there are a lot of different kinds of people, and the technology is evolving as well.
2. Each of the different kinds offers a slightly different sleep. Latex mattresses are hypoallergenic, meaning you can breathe more easily for instance.
3. Mattresses also come in many different sizes.
4. Mattresses alone do not make a bedroom. You’re going to need more, like a comforter and sheets, as well as curtains and the like.
5. Finding the right mattress is a matter of knowing your sleep style and how much you’re willing to spend on a mattress that will facilitate it.

Why Are There Different Types of Mattresses?

The whole concept of having different types of mattresses just seems kind of ridiculous, doesn’t it?

Look at us. We are, for the most part, the same. We have a spine. We have two arms and two legs. Any given body should react the same to a mattress. If that’s true, given our understanding of how the body works on a bio-mechanical level, we should be able to construct the ‘one true mattress.’

That makes sense on paper. The problem is that we don’t live on paper.

All people are just a little bit different. They all sleep a little bit differently. Some people sleep on their backs, others on their sides, a few even on their fronts. And the simple fact is that different mattresses do better at facilitating different kinds of sleep.

People who sleep on their backs, for instance, are relatively rare. Yet, they benefit from firmer mattresses. This is because it helps their spines to maintain proper alignment. These are people who could use something more minimal like a futon, which has little cushioning.

The same pattern applies to other people. What’s right for you is going to depend more on the type of sleep habits you have. That determines the optimal sleeping arrangement for you.