Everybody knows that the start to a great day begins with a good night's sleep. In today's crazy world, where everything is becoming more and more fast paced, people have a laundry list of responsibilities that need to be completed throughout the day, like going to work or to school, picking up the kids, making dinner, going shopping or even household chores. With so much to do in so little time, being well rested has become increasingly more important, and let's face it, there is only so much that coffee can do --who knows what we would do without it-- and if you find yourself unable to stay awake and alert throughout the day, you may be like millions of other Americans who aren't getting enough quality sleep due to their old and outdated mattress.
Sleeping in an old, springy, and uncomfortable mattress, especially one that keeps you up all night from tossing and turning, can greatly affect not only the amount of sleep you are getting but the quality of sleep as well. Sometimes your sleep may be greatly affected without really even knowing it, do you wake up tired a lot with aches and pains even though you had gotten 8 hours of sleep the night before? It is possible you are being woken up and are improperly supported by an old mattress. If so, it may be time to look into buying a new one, and with the ever changing world we live in, mattress companies are beginning to offer alternatives to the centuries old cotton and spring combination.
Companies are beginning to understand the increased demand for a good night's sleep, so they have revolutionized their products in order to help us remain well rested while we manage all of the responsibilities in our everyday lives and are providing us different options with enhanced technology for better comfort. Today, there are many different mattress types like memory foam, gel beds, pillow tops, water beds, and air beds. Considering all the options out there, it may be hard to decide which one is right for you, but if you feel like memory foam may be the one, then we have got your back, literally, here's a deeper look into the memory foam mattress.
What is Memory Foam?
First developed in 1966 by NASA to help improve the safety of aircraft cushions, memory foam has found it way into millions of homes across the country. Memory foam is mainly made out of polyurethane foam with additional chemicals added that increase its viscosity and density. Commonly referred to as temper foam, memory foam is a slower spring back foam that has an open-cell structure, allowing it to match the pressure against it while slowly springing back to shape. Before becoming commercialized in the late 90’s, memory foam was used for the insides of sports helmets as well as hospital beds where patients had to lie down for an unhealthy period of time, greatly reducing the chances of gangrene and bed sores.
Different Types of Memory Foam Mattresses
Since the introduction of memory foam into the mainstream market there have been different advancements on the memory foam mattresses. There are three main types of memory foam mattresses; traditional memory foam mattress, plant based memory foam mattress, and gel infused memory foam mattress.
- Traditional Memory Foam: Traditional memory foam mattresses haven't changed much since they were invented. They are form fitting and petroleum based, which some activists are not too happy about.
- Plant Based Memory Foam: Some memory foam mattresses are plant based, made from coconut foam, soy and other plant materials. They spring back quicker than traditional memory foam mattresses but have a cleaner footprint.
- Gel Infused Memory Foam: Gel memory foam is a combination of traditional memory foam and gel, sometimes the gel is in a layer on the top of the mattress or combined throughout the entire mold. Gel memory foam is meant to be cooler option over traditional memory foam mattresses.
Pros of Memory Foam
The type of mattress desired depends solely on the purchaser, some people prefer softer mattresses while some prefer a more firm mattress. Memory foam is typically denser and forms to the shape of your body. Here are some pros to buying a memory foam mattress.
- Conforms to Your Body: Memory foam uses your natural heat and responds to pressure by adapting to the shape of your body. This is great for many different sleeping positions as it cradles the natural curves of your body and provides excellent pressure point relief. It properly aligns the neck, spine, and hips in the body while sleeping as it conforms to the exact position you are sleeping. This offers pain relief for achy joints joints and conditions like arthritis with its pressure relieving capabilities.
- Motion Transfer Resistance: Memory foam is long hailed as the bed for restless couples because the body forming properties limit its transfer of motion activity. Since memory foam cradles the person sleeping, it does not disturb the rest of the mattress when someone else is moving. This is perfect if you have a partner who is prone to tossing and turning or if one of you is simply just a light sleeper.
- Hypoallergenic: Another amazing quality about memory foam mattresses are the materials they are made of. Most mattresses made of memory foam are hypoallergenic and germ resistant. The open cell structure makes them more breathable and protective against trapping moisture or attracting dust mites and other insects. This makes them a healthier alternative to other options.
Cons of Memory Foam
While memory foam is a great option for any mattress buyer there are a few reported cons when it comes to them.
- Heavier: Due to their high density, some memory foam mattresses are heavier than others. This can make them more difficult when it comes to moving them around. There are lower density options out there, however, and this does allow them to limit the transfer of motion.
- Too Hot: Since memory foam uses the heat of your body to conform to its natural shape, some people find that it traps too much heat inside of the mattress. This can cause you to overheat during summer nights. One way to combat this problem is by using a mattress cover and lower density memory foam also stores less heat.
- Initial Odor: Due to some of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, some memory foam mattresses due come with an initial odor after opening them. This is because of the polyurethane core and is non toxic. This can be somewhat off putting at first, but do not worry, it will go away!
All in all, memory foam mattresses are a great choice when shopping for a new one. They are cost effective and long lasting, so you are sure to get the desired bang for your buck with additional health benefits that are sure to increase your quality of sleep! For a high quality memory foam mattress, visit us today!
