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How to buy a mattress

Although no one bed can guarantee a better night’s sleep to everyone, there are some guidelines when shopping for mattresses.
  • People who have back pain tend to sleep better on mattresses that provide uniform support, said Dr. James Stocks, a pulmonologist at the University of Texas Medical Center.
  • The elderly, bedridden or those who don’t have any body padding will rest better on a mattress with extra support that can diffuse pressure points and prevent bed sores.
  • Never buy a used bed, said Nancy L. Shark, executive director of the Better Sleep Council.
  • Always lay on a bed with your bed partner in your sleeping positions before buying it, Shark recommends. Make sure the bed is comfortable to both of you and provides the necessary support you need.
  • Evaluate your old bed after five to seven years for comfort and support. “Beds are like everything else, they wear out. It may not be as obvious as a spring sticking out or a stain,” said Shark. “If your bed is five to seven years old, it is likely not producing the support you bought it for.”
  • Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for rotating and flipping mattresses. Most people can benefit from rotating a mattress every few weeks; however, there are many mattresses that should not be flipped.
    Written by Dorren Robinson, Content Director for www.ISleptGreat.com.
    Dorren’s days are spent playing many roles – journalist, professor, wife, and mother.
    She is keenly aware of how elusive great sleep can be.

Better Sleep Council
www.bettersleep.org
The National Sleep Foundation
www.Sleepfoundation.org
Dr. James Stocks, a pulmonologist at the University of Texas Medical Center.
http://www.uthct.edu/resources/directory/profile.asp?id=74