A high quality memory foam mattress can last anywhere between ten to fifteen years with proper care.
Mattresses should be thought of as a support system for sleep, to enhance sleep quality and create a comfortable environment for long periods of rest.
A good mattress will help you to relax, soothe joint pain and gently conform to your usual sleeping positions.
Generally, there are three types of mattresses:
Soft mattresses will mold easily to your shape and sleeping position but usually fail to give adequate support to all parts of the body.
Medium mattresses, the most popular variety, offer an equal degree of comfort and support making them ideal for almost all ages and body requirements. The optimum mattress will minimise the amount of tossing and turning a person does whilst sleeping, which allows the body to fall into a deep, healing sleep essential for nerve and cell regeneration.
Firm mattresses provide excellent support for the body but hardly any comfort which can result in joint pain and discomfort the morning after.
Are memory foam and tempurpedic mattresses the same thing?
Memory foam mattresses are made with polyurethane base foam as opposed to steel coil springs covered in upholstery which is how traditional mattresses are made.
Memory foam is known to react to both pressure and temperature, which is why users feel they are cradled while the sleep.
Tempurpedic is a type of memory foam focused on providing stability during sleep.
Tempurpedic mattresses mold round the body and are known not to sag even with longterm use.
'Tempur' fabric was originally based on NASA research to develop a material to cushion aircraft seats and improve the chance of survival in the event of plane crashes.
Should you ever flip a mattress?
A common myth about mattresses is that they should be slipped every few months to maintain condition.
The vast majority of mattresses are manufactured as one-sided products, which means they should never be flipped.
Instead of flipping, mattresses should be rotated every three to six months to ensure even wear.
Can certain types of mattresses reduce snoring?
An ABC News report focusing on research from Newcastle University found a newly developed type of mattress significantly reduces snoring and sleep apnoea.
The mattress was designed by the Hunter Medical Research Institute in collaboration with a Swedish medical team and is layered with foam and inward angles near the head to prevent rolling.
The design also features a T-shaped pillow to support the neck and forehead.
The product is based on supporting belly sleeping which has been found to reduce chronic snoring by between 50 and 70 percent.
Roughly one in five adults experience a reduction in breathing which leads to broken, low quality sleep.
What signs should you watch out for that indicate when a mattress should be changed?
Dust mites and other tiny allergens can accumulate on your mattress and bed linen which can be harmful in the long run for people with breathing conditions like asthma or allergies.
These particles tend to gather on old, worn mattresses and bed clothes so keep an eye for wear and tear on all sleep apparatus.