HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATTRESS FOR YOU IN THIS GUIDE - LIFESTYLE

How to choose the right mattress and sleep well

There are moments in our life in which we cannot sleep: the fault of the heat, of thoughts or of a mattress that no longer supports as it should. If the time has come to change it, you are in the right place! Today we will find out how to choose the right one according to your needs. Are you quarantined at home and sleeping poorly? Check out our video to find out how to improve the situation.

An essential factor for a good rest: the mattress

The benefits of sleeping well are innumerable: our immune defenses increase, our mood is much higher, we are more alert and attentive during the day, our memory is better ... in short, we benefit from it at 360 °. But what are the factors that determine restful sleep?

Certainly our habits of life during the day, but also the mattress is a determining factor to rest well and avoid back pain as soon as you get up.
The right mattress must have very specific prerogatives because it must be able to support the weight of our body well and in addition it must respect the curve of the spine.
However, finding the ideal mattress is not as simple as you think; how many times have you ever wondered if your ally for rest is the most suitable for you? Or what if it's time to replace it?

Today we try to help you with a small guide to choosing the mattress, which takes into consideration the main criteria to get it right the first time, such as rigidity, materials, price ...
Keep in mind that one mattress is not necessarily better than another, but there is the mattress that is more suitable for you because it adapts best to your weight, your height, the position you take during sleep and the temperature of the room. Just as you evolve over the years, the mattress must also do it: we recommend that you change it about every 10-13 years or when your body sends you unmistakable signals such as back and joint pains that do not go away before 15- 30 minutes after waking up.

How to choose the mattress: look at the stiffness

The market offers many models of mattresses, different from each other but carefully designed to optimize personal comfort. Where to start to choose the right mattress for you?

A good starting point is to evaluate the stiffness of the product. We are not saying to choose a rock hard support, but a mattress that supports you ergonomically so that the spine maintains its natural curve and that the shoulders and other joints rest well.

If you opt for a mattress that is too firm there is a risk that the joints will be too stressed and in this way your body will assume an incorrect position while you sleep. Even if the mattress is too soft it is not very good: on the contrary the shoulders will tend to sinking and the spine will suffer. It is better to pay attention to this first criterion: in the long run you could cause more problems to your back than it benefits.

How to choose the most suitable ergonomic mattress for you? Step on the scale and see how much you weigh; it is precisely on the basis of your weight range that you will choose the hardness of the mattress.

Each product is in fact characterized by a specific range and is measured thanks to a generic scale:

the H1 mattresses are the most suitable mattresses for those who weigh little (<60kg) and are also the softest in circulation;
the H2 are the supports indicated for those weighing between 60kg and 80kg and are characterized by a medium rigidity;
the H3s are the hardest and are good for those with a heavier body.

This lineup varies according to the manufacturer (the bands can also reach H6 and H7), but in essence the concept is that the higher the number is, the more it adapts to people with a significant weight.
The right mattress for you is the one on which you don't feel any pressure: always try it in the store and simulate your standard sleeping position! Stay on it for at least 15 minutes.

It will be useful to know that some types of double mattresses are characterized by differentiated bands for the different parts of the body, or even different areas on the right and left side to allow two partners to take advantage of the optimal rest calibrated to their body.

How to choose the mattress: dimensions and height

The dimensions of the mattress are essential in order to guarantee a good rest: the size you are looking for will depend on the number of people who will have to use it, on their height and constitution.
The right article should have enough space to stretch the legs and arms: the limbs must not reach the edges and this means that you have to calculate an extra 20-30cm in both length and width.
There are several options available for purchase, but almost all mattresses follow a standard of measurements, so if you need something special you will need to make a custom order.

Generally the length of a standard adult mattress, whether single or double, is around 190 / 200cm. In terms of width, the situation is different and in Italy you can find the following categories of mattresses both in stores and online:

Single mattress (single). For one person, with a width corresponding to about 80/90 cm;
Double mattress (double). For couples, with a width of 160/170 cm;
One and a half mattress. A middle ground compared to the previous ones because it adapts abundantly to one person, but eventually, for short stops, even two people can rest. Wider than a single, it usually measures 120cm.
French mattress. Although it may seem disused in Italy, it is actually very popular because it is a special format: slightly wider than the one and a half model, it can easily accommodate two individuals. It measures 140 cm wide.

Once you have chosen the right product based on the use that will be made of it and the size of both the mattress itself and the room, consider that it must also adapt perfectly to the support network (another article that you must think carefully about before buying !) Only then will you get a restful sleep.

After having seen the measurements of the mattress and its rigidity, you can move on to consider its height.
Thickness is another crucial criterion in choosing the ideal mattress: if it is too thin it will not support you well and you risk having pain upon waking up (such as neck and muscle aches), if it is too high it could be uncomfortable to use. Which mattress to choose?
The best mattresses have a height between 23 and 30cm, but those of about 21cm are not bad either. The important thing is the foam and the first layer on the surface does not deform over time.
Above 26cm are more suitable for futons on the floor, so if you are looking for a mattress for a standard bed raised off the ground, all options between 22 and 26cm are fine.

How to choose the mattress: the decision of the materials

It's time to move on to the material from which the mattress was made. The main categories in this area are:

Latex mattresses. They are the most natural on the market and also the most breathable. There are many types, also because being a natural emulsion it can be combined with other elements. The support they offer to the body is quite rigid, but at the same time flexible because the latex (both in the synthetic and natural form) adapts to the shape of the body and has an excellent ability to calibrate weight pressure. It is specifically recommended for those who are restless in their sleep and for those suffering from allergies or mites. Not very good for large builds. The cons of this material? Latex absorbs moisture a lot so choose it if the room is dry enough.
Memory foam mattresses. Widespread type whose particularity is to adapt to the body of the user, "memorizing" its shape. They give excellent support and have a high flexibility. However, memory mattresses are not as breathable as latex ones, so they require greater ventilation and are recommended for those who are cold and do not move much in their sleep. The memories are composed of a patented plate which to be of quality must be at least 5cm thick. It is a foam layer on the surface which is the real strength of the mattress. You can choose it even if you have problems with mites or allergies;

Spring mattresses. They are the grandmother's mattresses, the more traditional ones that are good for everyone. They may be a bit dated as technologies and materials used, but in reality they are the most loved by the masses because they have the best value for money. If you opt for this type, choose the most beautiful ones, that is those with pocket springs, so that each single spring is independent from the others; only in this way are they able to support the weight in an optimal way. The spring mattress is very solid and gives good support to the body. The perspiration is medium and is recommended for those who are more robust;
Polyurethane mattresses. These are made with a "special water foam (not surprisingly they are also called" in waterfoam "), which when it solidifies becomes welcoming and resistant. They are the cheapest mattresses because there are several models and they have no particular manufacturing characteristics raise the price range.They are characterized by a set of synthetic elements and for this reason they are suitable for those with respiratory problems.

How to choose the mattress: think locally about your habits

You have evaluated all the practical aspects of the mattress, but now you have to do an examination of conscience and think about how you usually sleep: depending on your favorite positions, there is a mattress that is more suitable than another.

If you usually sleep on your back you have to buy a firm mattress because your spine needs extra support, especially in the lumbar area where the curve is more pronounced. Focus on medium-stiff models if you sleep on your stomach, which means those in memory foam or latex that have the ability to mold to your body's specifications.

Do you prefer to sleep side by side? Like so many of us! It is nice to feel curled up, but by lying down in this position we increase the pressure on the side points, including the shoulder which has to go down a little to have good support. memory foam models.

Finally, those who grope on their stomach should get help from mattresses with excellent support, rigid, and therefore the most suitable are those with springs or latex.

What if I always sleep in pairs? Currently there are fantastic mattresses with differentiated zones, or sleeping supports that allow both partners to benefit from the comfort of the mattress without compromising. The two-zone mattresses are essentially two singles of different types, but put together.

How to choose the mattress: final considerations

You now have everything you need to make a good investment when it comes to selecting your dream mattress.
However, there are some last aspects that in our opinion should not be overlooked when deciding to buy a new mattress: the price, the covering, the certifications and the treatments carried out.

Let's start with economic spending. Comfort and materials are certainly important, but the economic aspect also plays its part. How much do you have to spend for a mattress that lasts over time?
The answer is "it depends". On TV you can see sponsoring advertisements for mattresses that reach € 2,000, while on the main online shopping platforms, such as Amazon, prices are more than halved! It is very difficult to choose a valid proposal with the right quality-price ratio. As a general line we can indicate that a good deal is somewhere in between: for a quality double mattress the price starts at € 500 and for a single mattress it calculates half.

The different price ranges are justified by the characteristics of the model. Is the mattress removable? Is it very thick? What are the main materials? Is the lining made from natural fabrics? Does the product have any certifications? As you can see there are many variables that can raise the price.
In any case, if you think you have found the right mattress for you, don't save on the object that will help you rest well for many years!

We continue with the latest features to look good in a mattress model.
Ask about the upholstery, or lining, which is the part that is in contact with the skin and it is therefore important that it is as natural as possible, such as cotton terry or summer linen. Avoid polyester and make sure it's a removable fabric; in this way you can give it a refresh in the washing machine when you want! Not only that, in case of domestic accidents with coffee or other foods, you will remove the stains directly at home.

Like every item on sale, the quality is verified by the presence of certifications, which can concern different aspects of the mattress and which are an indication of the goodness of the product.
The more awards the mattress exhibits, the higher the quality. You can always inquire with the clerk if the item you like has any specific certification on fabrics, on the raw materials used or on sustainability.

Finally, last but not least, is the control over the execution of sanitizing treatments: today's models are not very inclined to cause mites to form, but this does not mean that you should go to an article on which an anti-mite treatment has been carried out and antibacterial. When you take it home you will be sure to have a fresh and safe mattress in your hands, ready to accompany you on long refreshing nights.