The Dalai Lama once said, “Sleep is the best medication”. Science has backed up this claim, showing us that sleep has many surprising health benefits. It helps to keep our brain sharp, improve immunity, heart health, athletic performance, and boost our mood. At the same time, sleep deprivation has been associated with poor balance, low sex drive, weight gain, difficulty in memory, thinking, and concentration, along with a high risk for chronic conditions like high blood pressure, heart diseases, and diabetes.
It follows that ensuring good sleep should be one of our priorities for a healthy life. This means paying attention to what helps us sleep, particularly, the sleeping surface we use. It can range from the floor to a mat, chatai, or mattress. Of these, mattresses are the most common sleeping surface because it offers both comfort and support.
Importance of the sleeping surface
The sleeping surface is the most critical aspect of our sleeping environment. When we lie down, our body needs some kind of support for the skeleton and musculature. Hard surfaces like floors or mats can offer support, but are seriously lacking in the comfort factor. In addition, these surfaces do not support the natural dips and curves of the body, leading to muscle aches in a very short span of time.
In fact, comfort is often the most important factor for most of us when we think of a sleeping surface. It is also the reason why mattresses win over other alternatives. A National Sleep Foundation survey in India revealed that 92% of the respondents believed that a comfortable mattress was essential for a good night’s sleep. Thicker than a flat mat or chatai, it provides the body with the cushioning it requires for a comfortable experience. However, the thickness is just one aspect. The mattress must have the perfect blend of softness and firmness that our spine and muscles need.
So what makes a good mattress and how do you pick one that works for you? Here are some of our tips:
Right firmness: A common misconception about the ideal mattress is that it should be a very firm surface that supports the spine. However, we must keep in mind that our spine, back, or shoulders are not perfectly straight and hence, will not lie in a straight line. Hence, it is important that the surface can dip enough to provide cushioning to these curves on the body, such as our shoulders and lower back. The ideal mattress, therefore, should remain firm over a large surface like the back while cushioning smaller surfaces like the shoulder joint.
Protection from allergens: Few people realise that mattresses can be major triggers for allergies. Other than dust mites, these also attract mould and mildew. One may also have an adverse reaction to the material composition of the mattress. For instance, latex, often used in memory foam mattresses, is also a common allergen. So, it’s always worthwhile to check if the mattress is hypoallergenic or anti-allergen. Such mattresses are made of dust mite-resistant material or come with an anti-allergen cover.
Orthopedic mattress: These mattresses are recommended for people who are suffering from pain, recovering from injuries, seniors, and athletes. These are designed to support bones and joints, avoid pain at pressure points, and support the natural curve of the spine.
Technology: Finally, it is worth looking at emerging technology in the mattress industry. Till recently, the Indian mattress industry relied on four-decade-old memory foam technology. Since then, we have seen many other inventions in both mattress structures and composition. Technology is revolutionising the industry.
The sleeping surface is an essential element of good sleep. A mattress makes an ideal sleeping surface because of the comfort that it offers for a restful sleep. However, it’s always worthwhile to remember that all mattresses are not made the same. Selecting the right mattress can make a dramatic difference to both the quantity and quality of your sleep, thereby improving overall health.
The article has been authored by Priyanka Salot, Co-founder, The Sleep Company.
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