Invest in better sleep: why you need a comfortable bed and mattress

Tristine Hargreaves

Executive Director, National Bed Federation

Upgrade your sleep with the right mattress that is comfortable for you. Discover how to choose the perfect bed for optimal rest, and bid farewell to sleepless nights.

The foundation of good sleep is a comfortable bed and the right mattress. It can be the difference between a restorative night’s sleep and poor-quality sleep that results in tiredness and fatigue.

Factors affecting mattress and bed comfort

A mattress’s life span is affected by several factors, such as the quality, care and amount you use it (eg. reading, watching TV and sleeping each night vs. occasional use of a spare bed). Changes in lifestyle (eg. marriage, new home) and in our bodies (losing or gaining weight, ageing, etc.) can also require a change of bed.

You still won’t get a refreshing night’s sleep if you’re sleeping on an old, unsupportive and unhygienic bed.

Why a comfortable bed means rejuvenating sleep

We spend around a third of our lives in bed, so if you’re having difficulty sleeping, one of the first things to look at is your bed. Research shows that an uncomfortable bed could rob you of up to an hour’s sleep.

You could be conscientiously following good sleep habits, like eating the right foods, exercising regularly, switching off gadgets before bedtime, winding down properly and sleeping in a cool, quiet and dark bedroom. However, you still won’t get a refreshing night’s sleep if you’re sleeping on an old, unsupportive and unhygienic bed.

Key indicators for bed replacement

Here are some helpful questions to determine if your bed is still suitable for you and if it’s time to think about getting a new one:

• Are you waking up more frequently, unrefreshed and aching?
• Do you disturb your partner, or are you disturbed by them when changing sleep positions?
• Does your mattress show signs of visible wear and tear (is it sagging, lumpy, etc.)? 
• If it is sagging, do you and your partner roll towards each other unintentionally in the middle of the night?
• Did you have your best night’s sleep recently using another bed (eg. during a stay at a hotel)?

Adjusting to a new bed

When you get your new bed, it will take some time to adjust and may feel strange at first, as your body will have become accustomed to sleeping on the old one, so be aware that your body may need a little time to adjust to your new bed.