What position do you prefer to sleep in?

Side and/or Stomach

Side and back sleepers tend to want a softer sleeping surface. This allows for their shoulders and hips to receive extra cushioning and will help avoid painful pressure points in those areas.

Back

Stomach sleepers often desire a slightly firmer sleeping surface so that they can keep their spine in proper alignment and prevent their back from bowing in too much.

Know that firm mattresses aren’t always better for your back. Think twice before buying a hard or firm mattress, as research has shown that the best mattress for low back pain is a medium firm mattress rather than a firm mattress. There is a difference between firm support and firm feel. You want firm support with a comfortable feel. Comfort will be determined by your personal preference.

Sleep matters

Six in ten Americans crave sleep over sex, and the key to rest that’s good enough to forgo sex just might be the mattress. Nine of ten respondents in a sleep survey cited their mattress as an important factor in getting that coveted good night’s rest. In 2010, Americans spent more than $5.8 billion on mattresses and box springs alone. Is this expense justified? How important are mattresses, really? Can you actually put a dollar value on a good nights rest? Many people pay $5-$6 a day for a gourmet cup of coffee trying to stay awake for a couple hours. You could be in a top of the line name brand mattress for only $.60 a day. Maybe if you got a better nights sleep you wouldn’t need so much coffee?

Even those who aren’t up on their mattress history know the value of a good night’s sleep. The average person spends about one third of her or his life sleeping. For those who sleep less than that, sleep deprivation can have serious health consequences, including a sour mood (what college student doesn’t know this to be true), slower metabolism and an impaired immune system.

There are lots of great tips for coping with sleep deprivation, but what if the cause is right under our backs? Low-quality, uncomfortable mattresses have been linked to sleep discomfort and chronic pain which can both prevent quality sleep.

Fortunately, it’s not all bad news. While mattresses can hinder sleep quality, they can also improve it. Improved “bedding systems” (a fancy way of saying “things you sleep on”) have been linked to decreased pain and discomfort, especially in women. Quality sleep on a good mattress may also help decrease stress. The experts we spoke to said it basically comes down to personal preference. If we’re comfortable, we have a better chance of sleeping well, and if we sleep well, we’re more likely to stay healthy.

Adjustable bed bases

These bases have become quite popular recently, due to wider availability and more affordable options than ever before. This type of bed offers owners the ability to adjust their position with simple controls and can be helpful for a wide range of people. Though previously associated with hospitals, modern adjustable beds blend seamlessly into home decor and offer a range of benefits for perfectly healthy people as well. In this article, we will go over the basics of adjustable beds of offer some tips for deciding whether or not an adjustable bed might be a good addition to your home.

Adjustable beds have actually been around for a long time; evidence suggests rudimentary adjustable beds may have been used as early as the 16th century! Today’s three-part adjustable bases, featuring the ability to raise and lower each segment, were developed by Dr. Willis Gatch in the early 1900’s. The Gatch Bed revolutionized health care due to its ability to elevate the patient into specific positions to promote healing through increased circulation and oxygen levels after surgeries. Anyone suffering from long bouts of bed rest also found them to be considerably more comfortable for a variety of activities, making sitting up and relaxing in bed easier.

In order to extend this comfort to consumer markets, several manufacturers began producing home adjustable beds in the mid to late 1900’s. These were made popular by brands like Craftmatic and Leggett & Platt, and targeted towards aging consumers. In addition to health benefits, modern bases also offer several comfort features like massaging and are designed to coordinate with home furnishings. Now, adjustable beds appeal to wide range of buyers, from baby boomers to young couples. If you are trying to determine if an adjustable bed would be a good purchase, understanding the benefits they offer is a good place to start.

Therapeutic Benefits of Adjustable Bases

• Circulation
• Swelling
• Breathing
• Acid Reflux
• Post-Surgery Healing
• Back Pain

These types of beds were originally developed to aid health and healing, as therapeutic inclination can be used to aid a variety of health concerns. Poor circulation often causes swelling (edema) in the legs and feet which can be alleviated by elevating your feet above your heart. The Fowler’s position (upper body elevated 45-60 degrees) is a medical position utilized to facilitate breathing and to promote healing after some surgeries and childbirth. The serious heart burn caused by acid reflux, often referred to as GERD, is caused when stomach contents leak into the esophagus. By elevating the chest and head, this can be eliminated and tends to be more comfortable than sleeping on mounds of pillows. The “zero gravity” position, in which the head is slightly raised and feet are above the heart, can be helpful for relieving back pain and improving circulation as well. In addition to these specific positions, people can tailor the bed shape to fit their own personal needs and comfort preferences.

Comfort Benefits of Adjustable Beds

• Relax in bed more comfortably
• Massage benefits – some bases have rolling massage from head to toe and its adjustable
• Luxury/convenience – some bases have Bluetooth and speakers with an APP to control it all
• Customizable for couples

In addition to the health benefits mentioned, an adjustable base also offers comfort benefits. Most people enjoy reading or watching TV while in bed and use a variety of pillows to prop themselves into an upright position, or experience uncomfortable strain on their back and arms. An adjustable bed eliminates this hassle by allowing the user to position themselves upright for reading, watching a movie, or enjoying breakfast in bed. You can also slip into a lounger position with knees slightly elevated.

More upgraded models often come with additional functions like massage, alarms, and even anti-snore controls. The massage is a vibration-based sensation that helps relax muscles and encourage circulation. Other types of features vary by model, but add to the comfort and luxury of your bedroom.

Couples can also benefit from adjustable beds that come in split models. Many brands offer split king and split queen bases on which each half operates independently. Thus, partners who have different needs and preferences can both be comfortable and sleep side-by-side as well.