Allergies

 

According to a study carried out by the Sleep Council, a third of the population get by on five or six hours of sleep a night. Nearly eight million use alcohol to help them drop off, while almost seven million use over-the-counter sleep aids. Half the people questioned said stress kept them awake but what if it’s what you’re sleeping on that’s really the culprit?

Use-by Date

 

Consumers are quite happy to frequently revamp their living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, yet are more reluctant when it comes to the bed. After all, it’s not on show and it’s only for sleeping, so it doesn’t matter, right? Wrong! You spend a third of your life in bed and poor sleeping habits are being linked to all sorts of diseases and ailments, such as Alzheimer’s. Previously it was advised that mattresses used daily should be changed every ten years, however it is now thought this should be halved, as not only does the support deteriorate, the waste matter from dust mites can cause allergies and breathing problems. A significant amount of the weight of an older mattress is made up of dust mites, their waste and your dead skin. And it’s not just the mattress that wears out; divan bases and slats can lose support.

Bed Types

 

Divan beds are the most popular with consumers, possibly because of the extra support and the models that have storage drawers. The down side is that the base will provide a welcome haven for parasites. It’s also more expensive to replace a complete divan set, whereas you could simply renew the slats in a conventional bed. Bedsteads come with either fixed or sprung slats, the latter offering more cushioned support. They also come in a much wider range of styles, such as a solid oak bed or one in vintage-style metal, which makes it easier to suit a particular style of décor. If you have mobility problems or need to sleep in a specific position, you may find an adjustable bed is the answer.

Mattresses

 

There seems to be a lot of science involved in buying a mattress these days, or so the retailers would have you believe. Some showrooms have machines to lie on, that will tell you how much support you need. And opinions vary widely from orthopaedic sources, whether it’s best to have a firmer or softer mattress. What is agreed is that it should support your spine in a neutral position. There are many different types of mattress, which makes it tricky to know which to choose. Those with pocket springs offer good support with less ‘roll together’ but may not respond to your entire body. Memory foam and latex will mould to your shape and respond to different pressures, as well as being resistant to dust mites. The down side is that they don’t breathe as well as conventional mattresses, which can make them too warm for some people. The most recent innovation is a memory foam with gel properties, which regulates the temperature to an optimum level. Many manufacturers are now offering pocketed spring mattresses with a gel foam layer on top, for the best of both worlds. Waterbeds, which might bring Austin Powers to mind, can be a sound choice for allergy sufferers and for those where the lease amount of pressure causes pain. Just don’t get a cat.