The average person spends about 26 years of their life sleeping.
Because sleep is absolutely vital to the body, those 26 years must be spent as comfortable as possible.
Memory foam mattresses can provide what you need to get a fantastic night’s sleep. But there’s a lot of confusion surrounding exactly what memory foam is and how it works. Plus, there’s a lot of other mattresses on the market, so what makes memory foam stand out?
In this article, you’ll learn all about memory foam and why it’s an excellent choice for sleeping.
What Is Memory Foam?
NASA developed memory foam in the 1960s, and its purpose was to provide comfort to the seats of astronauts as they felt enormous pressure both enter and exiting the atmosphere. It’s made from Visco-elastic foam, which provides softness and absorbency.
Since the 1990s, companies have been using memory foam in many different products like mattresses and even pillows. For a time, the medical community used it in prosthetics and other medical materials. Its popularity is widespread and shows no slowing down.
Is Sleep That Big of a Deal?
We all know that sleep is essential, but do you realize how important?
Sleeping is resting your brain and allowing it to prepare for the next day. Without proper sleep, you suffer sleep deprivation which causes you to have difficulty in decision making, emotional regulation, and could lead to depression.
Most adults will benefit from 7-9 hours of sleep, while children and the elderly need more; sometimes up to 12 hours.
Why Choose a Memory Foam Mattress?
Interested in how a memory foam mattress can help you get the sleep you need? Keep reading!
1. Hypoallergenic
Dust mites love your bedroom as much as you do. They are friendly to springboard mattresses, which can house nearly 100,000 dust mites, but it’s more difficult for them to settle in memory foam. This is because of the thickness of the foam.
Because of this, memory foam is a perfect choice for those who suffer from allergies like dust mites, pet dander, and mold. Double up on allergy protection by using a hypoallergenic mattress cover and vacuuming.
2. Pressure Point Relief
One of the highlights of memory foam mattresses is their ability to cradle your pressure points and provide maximum comfort. Targeting these pressure points in places like the shoulders and hips.
For those with chronic pain conditions, memory foam can adhere to the points of pain and provide relief and comfort. The pillow top of a spring bed will wear down over several years, and you will start to feel the pain of the springs as you sleep. With memory foam, there are no springs.
3. Longevity
Memory foam mattresses are made to live a long life. Memory foam has no springs, so its life expectancy can exceed a spring mattress. The expected life of a memory foam mattress is anywhere from 10-15 years or longer, depending on the quality of the bed.
The general rule of thumb for replacing a mattress is about ten years.
4. Low Maintenance
Don’t you love it when it’s time to flip the mattress? Didn’t think so. With a memory foam mattress, there’s very little upkeep aside from vacuuming to keep dust at bay.
Rotating the mattress now and then is encouraged, but there’s no flipping required.
5. Your Partner Sleeps Well, Too
Memory foam absorbs motion so that you won’t notice your partner or your children sneaking into bed with you at night. This is an excellent benefit for those who are light sleepers.
6. Sleep Well in Any Position
Because of the flexibility of memory foam, it can hold to whatever position you sleep in, whether it be on your back, side, or stomach. It conforms to your body shape no matter how you sleep.
One of the ways memory foam works so well to keep your shape is by using your body heat. As the foam absorbs the heat from your body, it softens and creates the shape. In the morning, when you wake up, the foam bounces back to its original form.
Why Memory Foam Might Not Be for You
Memory foam seems like it offers the perfect night’s sleep, but not for everyone. Here are some things to consider before you buy a memory foam mattress.
Some people think it’s too hot. Because memory foam uses heat from your body, there’s no way to cool down.
Switching sleeping positions at night is common, but more difficult with a memory foam mattress. Because of its density, moving around is more challenging. It also takes a while for the foam to start cradling your body, and you may not benefit from a great night’s sleep right away.
Keep all liquids away from memory foam! These mattresses are not waterproof and will retain fluids causing the mattress to break down quickly. Spills are not easy to clean, so refrain from using any liquids near the mattress completely, even with a mattress pad.
Off-gassing a term used to describe the chemical smell coming from the foam. High-quality mattresses usually don’t give off a robust gas-like aroma, but even if they do, it typically disappears within a few days or weeks. To find a high-quality mattress, use the best mattress buying guide.
Memory Foam Mattresses: Are They for You?
Memory foam mattresses offer a unique way to get your Z’s. Using foam to conform to your body shape, provides comfort that’s popular with many people. Would you benefit from a memory foam mattress?
Are you looking for other ways to stay healthy? Check out the rest of our page for all the latest tips!
