Sleep is our body’s top recovery mechanism. It impacts our health, our weight and is even affected by our menstrual cycle. But what you sleep on? That’s a different topic entirely.
Signs you need a new bed
“There are a few signs which indicate that you need a new mattress,” says Rudo Kemp, founder and CEO of Sloom. “If you are waking up feeling sore and stiff – your mattress isn’t correctly supporting you and distributing your weight which could cause pain in your neck, shoulder, lower back, and hips. This is the generic answer however, having been in the industry for 11 years I’ve found that there are many other factors to consider.” Other factors to consider? If there’s an indentation in your bed, it’s time to think about a new mattress. If your bed is more than eight years old, this is also a sign, says Rudo. And, if you’re waking up groggy (and consistently, sans partying the night before) or are plagued with allergies, it could be your bed that’s got to go.
If your body changes, your mattress likely needs to change too.
A good mattress should support your body changes and not leave you with little aches and pains. “If physical changes in your body such as ageing or weight gain are causing joint pain, muscle aches, and stiffness then it would be time to find a mattress that relieves your pressure points and supports your body,” says Rudo. Also, springs in beds wane in strength over time. You might want to look at a bed with a different supporting mechanism. According to Rudo, “The Sloom Mattress has modular comfort, meaning that the foam layers can be rearranged according to the specific firmness that you prefer. If your body is changing, it could mean that you require a different firmness level to support those needs. Sloom uses a high-density foam that is divided into five ergonomic zones that help relieve pressure on the shoulders and hips by correctly distributing your weight.”
How to pick one
This one’s a biggie. When it comes to picking a mattress, there’s a ton of conflicting information, but Rudo says there are five main points to consider:
- Will both myself and my partner enjoy the firmness of the mattress? Look for beds with split comfort so partners both wake up on the right side of the bed.
- Does it have zoned support to relieve pressure points? The Sloom mattress is divided into five different zones to relieve pressure.
- Does the mattress have an anti-bacterial treatment? Reducing allergies and bed bugs leaves you with a safe sleeping environment.
- Do I have support from the brand that I bought the mattress from? Aftercare service and the option to have the freedom to return your mattress after the trial is essential.
- Can I change the comfort levels? Some mattress companies can customise the firmness level of the bed.
When you’re buying a mattress, it’s always easier to go for the cheapest option possible. But not knowing what’s in your mattress, not having the option to customise it and not having aftercare can dictate how well you’ll be sleeping each night. “The perception that a high or thick mattress is a better quality mattress still dictates the demand in the industry,” notes Rudo. When picking a mattress, look for high-quality foam. “Advances in foam technology have allowed for far more breathable foams with even better durability. The foams that we use in our mattresses are not just any type of traditional high-density foam but rather a new generation of foams specifically formulated for better durability, longevity and quality,” he says.
