Sleeping on a Memory Foam Mattress

Do you often wake up with a sore back? Does your partner wake you up with their tossing and turning during the night? Are you bedridden due to an injury or illness? If you answered yes to any of these questions then a memory foam mattress could be the ideal mattress for you, be it for back pain relief or just a good night's sleep.

Designed in 1966 by a team of NASA scientists, memory foam was first used to improve the safety of aircraft cushions. It was then commercialized by Dynamic Systems Inc. for use in medical areas and football helmets. The foam was eventually released to the public domain in the 1980's and was picked up by a company named Tempur World which led to the first memory foam mattress, the 'Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattress.'

Memory foam then went through a growth period, being implemented in hospitals to alleviate pressure points on patients who could remain in bed for long periods of time.Eventually prices came down and it became more affordable to the public for domestic use in products such as memory foam mattresses, memory foam pillows and memory foam mattress toppers.

A memory foam mattress is normally a lot denser than a normal mattress, which therefore makes it heavier but more supportive. It provides a good mixture of the comfort of a soft mattress, and the support of a heavier one. A memory foam mattress can be more expensive than a regular mattress, but the price is justified as it will last longer due to it's resistance to parasites e.g. bedbugs.

Memory foam reacts to body heat and molds to the body, relieving pressure points, therefore reducing back pain. Different memory foam mattresses vary in density and foam thickness, so choosing the right one for you is very important. The higher the density of the mattress, the firmer it will be. A lower density memory foam mattress will feel similar to a regular mattress. The thickness of the foam is also important; less than 2 inches will have little to no effect, and more than 6 inches will provide too much 'sinking' and be uncomfortable.

When buying a memory foam mattress, make sure to take time when testing them out as the foam can take up to 15 minutes to properly react to body heat and 'mold' to the body. Try to test different brands and models as they will all differ in composition and may feel entirely different to a similar model by another brand.

Now, I must also mention some minor disadvantages associated with sleeping on a memory foam mattress. When it is still new, memory foam may give off a slightly unpleasant odor, sometimes compared to the smell of paint. This is normally rectified by airing the mattress, but some people may remain sensitive to the smell. One precaution you must take is to not leave babies or small toddlers on a memory foam mattress as they may find it difficult to turn and rotate and could suffocate.

Well I hope this helps when you go to choose your own memory foam mattress. Once you find one that you like, buy some sheets and a nice duvet cover and you'll be on your way to bedroom heaven.