Have you been tossing and turning in bed recently? Perhaps you wake up in the morning feeling tired, with a stiff neck and back pain? If you’re not getting enough sleep, fatigue, irritability, and other effects of poor sleep can begin to disrupt overall wellbeing.

Without a good quality mattress, your sleep will suffer, and while you might be tempted to save cost and buy second hand on Carousell or off an acquaintance, picking a mattress that is just right for you will be the best investment for your sleep.

A mattress should support the healthy curvature of your spine, shouldn’t cause you to get too warm, and should fit your budget and other needs. To make the process of picking your ideal mattress less daunting, our guide simplifies the process with more details on what to consider when shopping for a new mattress in Malaysia.

 

Your sleeping position

Sleeping positions are essential, as studies have shown that 50–60 per cent of individuals with insomnia may have chronic back or neck pain — making it even harder to fall or stay asleep. Waking up with aches or pains can mean you slept in an uncomfortable position that put unnecessary strain on your neck or back.

Here are some general guidelines for mattress firmness based on your sleeping position:

• The best mattress for side sleepers should have enough given to allow hips and shoulders to sink while still supporting the waist and lumbar region. Your spine should be straight and parallel to the floor when lying down. Plush to medium is likely the ideal firmness range for you.
  
• Back sleepers need a supportive surface that supports natural alignment. Similar to when you are standing up straight, your spine should still have a slight curve, but there should be no more than a finger’s width of space between your back and the bed to avoid muscle tension. Beds in the medium-firm range will likely feel best.
  
• Stomach sleepers need supportive beds that prevent the upper body from bowing down, which can lead to back and neck pain. Beds in the firmer range with a slight comfort layer may be best.

 

Choosing your ideal type and material  

One of the key hallmarks of a good mattress that promotes sleep is the firmness and materials. Sleeping on a bed that’s too soft isn’t recommended if you have back pain, as various points of your body could sink in too far and throw your spine out of alignment. And the same goes for a mattress that’s too firm – ideally you should be comfortably cradled into the mattress to some degree, rather than lying on top of it with no give.

You have a myriad of options on the market today, to help you navigate what each type has to offer, we’ve listed the most likely types of mattresses you’ll encounter during your search:

• Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are traditional mattresses made with coiled springs inside. There are open spring and pocket spring mattresses to choose from. The latter offers more support and options - soft, medium or firm depending on your preference. Spring mattresses are more breathable than latex or memory foam, but they are also much heavier and difficult to lift and turn.
  
• Latex: A latex mattress can contain either 100% natural latex or mixed - synthetic and natural filling. This material is known for its durability and breathability and is a popular choice for those with allergies. Latex provides some bounce and less indentation than a memory foam mattress.
  
• Memory foam: Memory foam moulds to your body and absorbs weight, therefore alleviating pressure on your joints. Normal memory foam is notorious for being hot, so more advanced memory foam mattresses are infused with cool gel to mitigate the heat problem.
  
• Pillow tops/ Hybrid: A pillow top mattress falls into the hybrid category where spring, latex and memory are mixed together. Hybrid mattresses are designed for a balanced sleep experience combining all of the materials for ultimate support and comfort.

 

Your mattress condition and age

Purchasing a mattress is an investment, so it’s understandable if you’re hesitant to buy a new one. However, if you begin to notice the qualities of a bad mattress, it‘s time to look into it. A good benchmark of mattress quality is how long you’ve had it and to figure out if it’s still providing you with a good night’s sleep.

While the time depends on the quality and material of your mattress, Here is the average mattress lifespan in years based on material and type:

• Airbed or Waterbed: 7 years
• Innerspring: 7 years
• Pillow Top: 7 years
• Latex: 10+ years
• Memory foam: 10+ years
• Hybrid: 10+ years

 

Support for health needs

While your mattress contributes to your overall sleep and well-being, if you have a preexisting condition, choosing the right mattress can also help alleviate the symptoms.

If you have sleep apnea, you may snore loudly, wake up gasping for air or experience brief pauses of breathing during the night. Sleep apnea may also cause daytime drowsiness, excessive daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches and dry mouth upon waking.

If you have sleep apnea, purchasing an adjustable mattress may help you reduce your symptoms and get more rest. Getting an adjustable bed won’t cure your sleep apnea, but it may help you reduce the number of apnea episodes you have each night, improving the quality of your sleep.

Suppose you suffer from back or neck pain and general stiffness. In that case, you will need good quality support from your mattress to ensure your spine and neck are positioned correctly for ultimate comfort, pain relief and restful sleep - check out sleep postures that help alleviate pain here.

When choosing a mattress for back pain, things to look out for include good-quality support. Springs and coils are excellent at providing this but will need to be paired with a top layer that provides enough give for your pressure points. Also, look for cooling top comfort layers – if you struggle to get into a comfortable position because you sleep hot, this could exacerbate your back pain as you toss and turn.

 

 

You can get an adjustable bed  to help you relieve pains and aches, acid reflux and snoring. Bedding Affairs’ adjustable bed comes in different sizes and versions. You can choose an adjustable bed that boasts an AI powered alarm which simply sets the time you want to be woken, then sleep tight knowing that at any desired morning hour, our adjustable bed will gently start lifting from its lowest position until it reaches yours – helping ensure an easy way out of slumberland!

 

We hope this guide will help you find the best mattress in Malaysia for a good night’s sleep. Shop for all your bedding needs at Bedding Affairs .