Finding the perfect mattress is no easy task, especially for seniors. It is extremely important to find the right mattress for those 65 and older. As we age, we have different needs when it comes to sleep. Replenishing your body with a good nights rest is imperative, which is why finding the right mattress is so important. The National Sleep Foundation reports that 92 percent of people know that it’s essential to have a supportive mattress, but many seniors opt to save some money and purchase a mattress that doesn’t give them a good night’s sleep. Here are five health reasons for needing to have a proper mattress.
- Reduce stress
Sleeping on a mattress that properly supports your body reduces stress, agitation, irritation, and even memory loss because you get a full night’s sleep. Experts did a study where one group of people slept on a proper mattress, and the other group slept on their old one, and those who slept on the old mattress experienced higher levels of anxiety, stress, and irritation than the new mattress.
- Help allergies
Mattresses accumulate dust mites and dirt, which triggers allergies and can cause sneezing, a running nose, or a rash. You can try cleaning your current mattress with a vacuum to get rid of them and leftover skin cells, but if it’s too old, you might not eliminate them and need to buy a new one to replace your current.
- Reduces chronic back and body pain
A proper mattress supports your body type and how you sleep. Some are ideal for side sleepers while others are better for people who sleep on their backs. You need to have your neck, middle of your back, and base of your spine supported while you’re sleeping. You’ll notice a significant reduction in your back pain when you sleep on a bed that cushions and supports your body in all the right places. Picking the right mattress can reduce chronic pain and arthritis symptoms.
- Manage your weight
This one sounds a little far-fetched, but it’s a known fact that a restless night’s sleep can trigger hunger cravings while a deep sleep can inspire healthy eating habits. Less sleep causes the body to produce more of the chemical ghrelin, which causes hunger. People with less sleep tend to snack more throughout the day on unhealthy food, leading to weight gain.
- Less pressure point
Since you and your spouse probably don’t weigh the same, meaning you have different pressure points that need support throughout the night. A mattress that is too firm restricts blood flow through your body and can lead to bed sores or cell death. A bed that is too soft doesn’t support the body properly, while a mattress that is too firm aggravates sensitive pressure points. If you experience back pain or your arm or leg falls asleep when giving your bed a test run, that’s not the one for you.
Don’t ignore the importance of buying a proper mattress for your body type, weight, sleep style, and comfort levels. A proper night’s sleep affects your day-to-day life in more ways than you previously thought.