Memory Foam Mattress

We spend nearly a third of our lives in bed and the quality of the rest we get has a great impact on our mood, energy, productivity and general wellbeing. A bad nights sleep can affect our relationships with others, our performance at work and almost every aspect of our day-to-day lives.

It really pays off to choose a good quality mattress because, after all, it is the one place you spend most of your time. For those looking to achieve a good night's sleep, it is important that the body is relaxed and the muscles are not tense due to bad posturing. If you suffer back pains while you sleep or find that you simply can't get a good nights rest no matter what you try then it is time to think about getting a new mattress.

Memory foam is becoming an increasingly popular choice when it comes to buying a new mattress. Many people favour a memory foam mattress over a traditional sprung mattress because of the unique way in which it reacts to pressure and temperature, ensuring a more comfortable night's sleep.

Memory foam, or visco-elastic polyurethane foam as it is also known, was originally developed by NASA for use easing the extreme forces experienced by astronauts during take-off. It was never used for this purpose and found it's way into medical use as cushions for wheel-chair uses and padding for people with pressure sores and postural problems caused by long periods of immobility. Some patients even found that memory foams heat-retaining properties helped to alleviate their pain. It was after companies heard that people using memory foam mattresses claimed to sleep better that the product began to make its way onto the commercial market.

A memory foam mattress has the ability to spread the users weight over a greater surface area, reducing pressure points and providing greater comfort and support. Many people find that this reduces tension in their muscles, helping them to relax more deeply and enjoy a good nights sleep free from disturbances. Memory foam is unique in the way in which it reacts to pressure and temperature, moulding to the shape of the sleeper's body, allowing them to sleep in an anatomically correct position. It is firmer in cooler temperatures and softer in warmer temperatures, giving users the weightless feeling of 'melting' into the bed that they find so appealing. A normal mattress, however well sprung, will never mould to the curves of the human body in the way a memory foam mattress does. In effect, memory foam mattresses are the ideal compromise between a soft, comfortable mattress and a firmer, more supportive one.

Memory foam mattresses are made from higher density foam than regular foam mattresses. For this reason they are heavier and more expensive to buy, but they are much more supportive and longer lasting.

It is important to remember that not all memory foam is the same. Memory foam comes in different densities, some softer, some firmer. It is a good idea to have a look and see which density is right for you. Densities of 55kg and above are recommended as anything less may lose its supportiveness over time.