The Memory Foam Mattress: How Will It Help The Problem Sleeper?

A memory foam mattress is different from the mattress that you may be familiar with. A by-product of NASA's attempts to make life easier for astronauts as they free themselves from the earth's gravity, the memory foam mattress will configure itself to the shape of your own body. Where there is pressure from the neck or hips or back, it will form an indentation in the mattress and distribute the weight evenly, resulting in less tossing and turning in sleep.

How Much To Pay For A Restful Sleep

Prices of memory foam mattresses can vary from $800-$3000 each. First in the market is the high quality and more expensive Swedish made Tempur-Pedic; while other popular brands include Isoform, Novaform, Sensus, and Isotonic.

The big question for undecided shoppers like us however is to be clear if this type of mattress will answer our sleeping and comfort needs.

The only way to do this is to clarify the difference between an ordinary mattress and the memory foam mattress, define how it works, and familiarize ourselves with both the pluses and minuses of using this new technology.

The memory foam mattress is made from the same petroleum-based by product polyurethane from which most things found and used in the modern home such as beds, furniture, as well as toys and car seats are made. Compared to the regular mattress however the memory foam mattress does not resist pressure applied to it, therefore freeing parts of the body from discomfort and pain.

How Does The Memory Foam Mattress Assist In Good Sleep

Apart from softening upon contact with body heat, the memory foam mattress will produce contours where pressure is applied by the body's protruding points. If you sleep on your side, for example, the pressure that is put on the joints of your hips and shoulder will be alleviated since the mattress gives way at the point of pressure.

Because of this characteristic of being sensitive to pressure, some users of the memory foam mattress have claimed that it has helped them reduce sleep disorder symptoms, and assist in more restful sleep by relieving pressure pain from scoliosis, as well as painful back and joint conditions. This kind of mattress is affected by body heat in the sense that it turns softer when warm and harder when cold.

Investing in a memory foam mattress makes sense because it can take 3 to 6 years before you will need to replace it. Regular mattresses may need to be replaced after one or two years.

Accessories

Also check out our info for memory foam mattress pad, as well as memory foam mattress topper.

Tips On How To Care For Your Memory Foam Mattress

The memory foam mattress is denser and heavier and would not easily lend itself for taking with you on a vacation. One advantage though is that it does not need flipping over.

A memory foam mattress is susceptible to wetness and takes quite a while to dry, so it is important to provide protection by putting waterproof covers over it. A mattress cover will also protect the foam from acquiring blemishes and smells which are hard to remove.

Don't be surprised if your new memory foam smells when it arrives, because after all it is made of synthetic material. You should be ready to allow for a period of time for the smell to dissipate.

Walking over the mattress in a gently trampolining style may be needed to break it in. The mattress should be laid on a firm not springy base made of wood.

With common sense and enough care your new memory foam mattress should last you for 10 to 20 years.