Posted on 28th Jul 2009 @ 3:45 PM

I once read in an article about conserving space in your apartment that you should replace your bed with a futon, since you only spend one-third of your day sleeping anyway. ONLY?! That one-third of your day can determine how well the other two-thirds go, so you need to be sure you're sleeping on a mattress that is comfortable and provides back support.

When you have an uncomfortable mattress, you can experience all kinds of disruptive problems which follow you throughout the day. I read an article the other day about conserving space in a cramped apartment, and it gave advice about switching your bed for a futon since you only spend one-third of your day sleeping. My first thought was, "You have got to be kidding me--ONLY one-third?!"

Don't treat that one-third of your day lightly. And if your mattress is not providing you with adequate support, you will have what is called poor "sleeping posture," which puts strain on your lower back, neck, and shoulders, causing soreness, stiffness, and fatigue.

When it comes to choosing a new mattress, put comfort at the top of your list. Even if it adequately supportive, you won't be able to enjoy a mattress that is excessively firm. Many furniture stores allow you to test a mattress in-home for between thirty and ninety days.

However, be aware that if you are not satisfied, your only option is to exchange it for another in the same shop, so be sure to find a store that has a large selection of many different types of mattresses you are considering. Try not to choose a specialty shop that only has one brand.

Also try to keep from rushing the process. Getting yourself committed to a mattress that is just as bad or worse as the only you're currently sleeping on will only perpetuate the misery.  

As you narrow down your selections, be sure that you find a mattress which provides support for your back and encourages good sleeping posture. Good sleeping posture will ensure that your spine is aligned, reducing strain and ultimately diminishing pain throughout the night and day.

While there are no definitive studies which point to precisely the right mattress to reduce your pain, some sleep experts believe that medium-firm beds tend to do the trick, at least better than pure firm ones.

There are some recent innovations in mattress materials which claim to provide superior support and eliminate pain. You will hear studies cited and testimonials gushing about the relief individuals found, particularly about the recent development in visco-elastic memory foam.

Do not buy into these claims without doing your own research, particularly if you visit a store and find their models uncomfortable. This will not get any better with time--trust me.  

If you happen to find one such model that is comfortable to you and seems to provide support for your back, there is no harm in going for it. But that doesn't mean you should select it based on boasting advertisements.

Selecting a new mattress can be a tough process, but if you are careful to find a mattress that has a great balance between comfort and support, you will find that one-third of your day is never wasted.