A better mattress for a better mood

No wonder I feel so grumpy when I go camping, all because of that horrible air mattress.  According to the November 1 journal of Sleep which published a study by scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, sleep interruptions are worse for mood than overall reduced amount of sleep, so it only makes sense that if a mattress is worn out, lumpy, too-bouncy, too-soft, too-hard, or too-hot mattress, it can cause sleeplessness, and that leads to a crappy mood.

According to Terry Cralle, RN, MS, a certified clinical sleep educator, indeed an uncomfortable mattress can be the culprit in sleep interruptions that cause bad moods.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the sleep surface plays a critical role in the quality of our waking hours,” she says.

Cralle recommends these tips for assessing the suitability of a mattress.

• Consider a memory foam mattress that alleviates pressure points by conforming to the body and cushioning heavier body parts.
• Chose an adjustable mattress if you sleep with a partner, so both partners can adjust the mattress to suit their preferences.
• Buy a mattress with a trial period to see if it works for you.  Many companies offer 100 days, but some companies, like Luxi, even offer up to 1,000 days.
• Look for a mattress company with excellent customer support.  The best mattress companies now have sleep hotlines to help their customers get optimal sleep using their product.
• Since pregnancy, health conditions, weight loss or gain can all effect how you sleep, think ahead about your needs. Get a mattress that can be re-configured or adjusted as your body and needs change.
• Research the materials your mattress is made with, and make sure the mattress has breathability.

Cralle says that the popular mattresses sold online can be a good choice, so long as they are not a one-size-fits-all model.  At her sleep clinic, Cralle recommends adjustable options, like the three-in-one Luxi, because the user can easily reconfigure the mattress to soft, medium or firm on one or both sides.

“By investing in a comfortable sleep surface, you are maximizing the likelihood of getting uninterrupted sleep – a major factor not only in our health, but in our moods and ultimately the quality of our lives,” said Cralle.