What is a Good
Night's Sleep?
When you get a good night's sleep, you wake up feeling
restored, refreshed, alert, and ready to face the day ahead. Good sleep is
restorative. It allows us to be more effective and productive in our jobs
and daily lives as well as in our personal relationships. Good sleep also
enhances our quality of life. It helps us to feel good and have a sense of
well-being throughout the day.You've probably heard the magic number is 8
hours a night. In truth, different people have different sleep needs. If you
wake up feeling refreshed, then you received the correct amount of sleep.
Just as we all recognize the benefits of a good night's sleep, we all
know how it feels to have slept poorly. For most people, even a few nights
of reduced sleep can have a dramatic impact on their well-being. In all,
more than 40% of adults experience daytime sleepiness severe enough to
interfere with their daily activities. Long-term sleeplessness
has also been associated with depression, obesity, and other mental health
disorders.
Q. How
can I tell if I need a new mattress?
A. When was the last time you thought about your mattress? Many of us
forget that our mattresses are the most utilized piece of furniture we own.
In fact, if you sleep 8 hours a night, in one year you’ll rack up 3,000
hours on your mattress. After 10 years, you’ll have logged 30,000 hours on
the same bed. Listed below are a few hints that indicate it’s time to start
thinking about renewing your sleep surface.
1. You bought your current mattress over 8 years ago.
The average life span of a quality mattress is 8 to 10 years. Mattresses
older than that suffer from deteriorating comfort features and diminished
support capabilities.
2. You wake up feeling more tired than when you went to sleep.
Most consumers wait too long to replace their mattresses. If you don’t wake
up
feeling refreshed and rejuvenated —or if you feel any pain or
discomfort— you've definitely waited too long.
3. The couch feels more comfortable than your bed.
Concentrate on the feel of your mattress. Do you feel coils or bumps? Your
body needs a smooth, comfortable sleep surface to get a regenerative night’s
sleep. Your mattress should enable you to sleep through the night with
minimal tossing and turning.
4. Your mattress looks worn and uneven.
Inspect your mattress regularly for sags and imprints. If your mattress
appears uneven or worn and frayed, maybe it’s time to start shopping. The
upholstery layers in all mattresses compress over time. For optimal
performance, be sure to rotate your mattress occasionally to extend its
durability and renew its comfort. If you "inherited" your mattress from a
family member or friend, chances are you need to replace it now.
5. You’ve taken your mattress for granted.
Mattresses are the most used yet most ignored piece of furniture in the
house. Pay attention to your mattress. Do you hear creaks and groans? Do you
notice the surface sags or indents in certain areas and not in others? The
condition of your mattress may come as a surprise once you take a close
look.
Q. How
much should I spend on a new sleep set?
A. Mattress prices range greatly, from about $199 to several
thousand dollars. A good night’s sleep is one of the best investments you can
make, so buy the best mattress you can afford. Keep in mind that most of us
spend as much as one-third of our time in bed. Your investment will cost
just pennies per night over the next 10 years! In fact, a $1,000 sleep set
costs about 27 cents per night (based on a 10-year life).
Q.
Should I replace my box spring when purchasing a new mattress?
A. Yes! A good box spring is as important as a good mattress! It
acts much like a large shock absorber, taking a lot of the nightly wear and
tear, and it contributes to your comfort and support. Don’t put a new
mattress on an inappropriate box spring. When you select the mattress,
purchase its companion box spring. The two are designed to work best
together.
Q. How
long should my sleep set last?
A. The Better Sleep Council advises consumers to buy the highest
quality bedding they can afford, then replace old bedding every 8-10 years.
After these many years, even the best bedding may no longer provide the
comfort and support you deserve.
Q. How
do I shop for a mattress?
A. Focus on finding a sleep set that satisfies your comfort preference
first, then your quality preference. To do so, always shop wearing
comfortable clothes and shoes that can easily be removed for lying down.
Take your time and don’t be shy. You can’t judge support and comfort by
sitting on an edge or lying down for just a few seconds. Lie on the bed the
way that you sleep, and if you sleep with a partner, try shopping with them
so you can decide together. Shop at a store that you know and trust and
offers services you desire. Read as much information about the sleep set as
is available. Remember, buy the best bed that you can afford. You can always
find “bargain bedding,” but it’s no bargain if you can’t get a good night’s
sleep!
Q. Can
I compare my old sleep set to sleep sets available today?
A. No, the design and manufacturing of bedding has changed
dramatically—even over the last few years! Innerspring technology has
improved; new “comfort” upholstery materials have been developed; and
comfort choices have been expanded to give consumers a greater selection!
Today’s box springs are more durable with steel spines and “working”
torsion modules to maximize your mattresses comfort and support.
Q. How
do I compare today’s sleep sets?
A. The best way to really know what you’re buying is to experience a
top-quality pillowtop, then firm, then plush sleep set. Determine the
comfort you prefer. If you like the comfort and price, the store's services
and possible financing options, you can make your purchase at the first
store. If you decide to shop another store, find out what you’ve seen. Know
the type of sleep set and its significant features, such as the type of
innerspring unit, key comfort layers, type of edge support, and significant
features of the box spring.
Q.
Should I be concerned about bedding height?
A. For consumers who don’t want the extra height that comes with today’s
bedding, Beds To Go offers a “Low Profile Box Spring,” cutting the height of
the box spring by up to 4.5 inches! A low-rise bed frame can also reduce the
overall height of your mattress surface.
Q.
What are the dimensions of traditional bedding?
A. These are standard finished product sizes. Actual size may vary by
model, generally within a range of ± ½ inch.
King: 76" x 80"
Queen: 60" x 80"
Full: 53" x 75"
Twin: 38" x 75"
Crib: 28" x 52"
We realize people come in all different sizes. Please contact us for the
following non-traditional mattress sizes:
*72" x 84" California King
*53" x 80" Full X-Long
*38" x 80" Twin X-Long
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