Missing out on sleep can do more harm than just needing an extra cup of joe to get through the day. Sleep deprivation can affect cognition, mental health and more, and a sub-par or worn-out mattress can really put a damper on catching some zzzs. But if terms such as “pillow-top” or “memory foam” keep you awake at night stressing over what to buy, score some insight from Pat Leonti, store manager and mattress buyer at Wayside Furniture in Akron.
Try, Try Again
Mattresses in a box are all the rage now, but if you’re even a little intimidated by buying certain things such as clothes or shoes online without being able to try them on, Leonti suggests physically testing a mattress out. “You have to be able to lie down on it and take your time,” he says. “If you’re a back sleeper, side sleeper, stomach sleeper, you got to try it that way.”
Spring for Sustainably
Still, Leonti advises not hitting snooze on one trend that’s sweeping the mattress industry: latex. The material is more sustainable than foam or springs and offers a combo of support and comfort that those can’t. “Some foams are great at comfort, but not good at support,” Leonti says. “Springs are great at support, but not good for comfort. Latex offers you the best of both worlds.”
Talk Pillows
Leonti says many people forget about pillows when they are shopping for a new bed, and most don’t think to ask for one even though they’re an essential part of the sleep equation. “Pillows make up 20-25% of the sleep surface,” he says. “A lot of people fail to test with a pillow similar to what they’re going to be using at home. Having a pillow is very important, and most of the good stores have pillow fittings for that reason.”
Flex That Foundation
If you just can’t get comfortable on a traditional flat mattress, Leonti says adjustable base beds can accommodate a variety of sleepers and provide relief to conditions such as acid reflux or back issues. “Our body wasn’t designed to sleep flat, so the adjustable [option] helps eliminate having to sleep flat,” he says. “Just from a lifestyle standpoint, if you watch TV in bed, it’s a plus.”
