As our body changes, so do our needs for comfort. And a lot of this comfort during sleep has to do with the kind of mattress we have. How long has it been since you last had the mattress your sleeping on? Have you had the change to check it?

Better Sleep Org, has a few of suggestions on mattress evaluation and mattress shopping:

1) Evaluate your current mattress to determine if it’s time for a new
one. Among other indicators, if you wake up with stiffness, aches or
pains, or if your mattress is sagging, it may be time for a new one.
2) Arm yourself with the knowledge needed to make the best purchase for
you. Just as with any other major purchase, it’s important to do
your homework. Visit http://www.bettersleep.org to learn about
important ‘mattressology’ terms before you shop.
3) Shop to find the right mattress to suit your individual needs. Be
sure to test drive the mattress in the store by lying down on it (in
your typical sleep position) for at least fifteen minutes.
4) Ensure that you protect your new mattress by purchasing its matching
foundation (boxspring), supporting it with a sturdy bed frame and
covering it with a quality mattress pad that will keep it fresh and
clean.

Doing these steps have apparently helped some people enjoy the best sleep they’ve had in years.

Via Earth Times

Photo from Bedzine bedzine, boxspring, mattress, MATTRESS Shopping, mattress-pad, quality mattress, shopping, sturdy bed bedzine, boxspring, mattress, MATTRESS Shopping, mattress-pad, quality mattress, shopping, sturdy bed

There are only three basic things you really have to check when shopping for a futon bed at the store —

The mattress, whether part of the package or sold separately. It should be on top of the list for things to consider. Even if you have a really beautiful futon bed frame but the mattress isn’t doing it for you, essentially, you still have a useless bed. You can’t scrimp on a mattress, so go with the one that you can get at the maximum limit of your budget.

The frame, or the futon foundation. There are several types of frames and designs in metal or wood. As with all types of bed, it should be durable and sturdy.

The cover, to protect your mattress. You can’t just get any type of cover. It should fit the mattress perfectly. Also, get a cover that can be washed and cleaned.

Photo from Ultimate Futons

Bodipedic mattresses are visco memory foam products available at the shopping network. If you’re into shopping on television, you may want to check it out. Buying a mattress on television is a lot like online shopping in that you have to check for reviews and feedbacks a hundred times more since there isn’t an opportunity to inspect the product personally.

Just the same, here are the specifications of this particular mattress, as explained in this video.

Simmons mattress together with green guru Danny Seo has come up with this “Green Guide to a Healthier Bedroom” which was made available when the latter released his latest mattress line collection.

Among the important points to this green guide are outlined below:

Mattress: Look for alternatives that contain fewer synthetic and petroleum-based components.The Natural Care™ collection features latex foam made in part from biodegradable materials like rubber tree sap and a layer of base foam enhanced with soy.

Bed Frame: Instead of buying a brand new headboard, try shopping at a flea market or antique mall or give your old bed a new personality with a coat of paint.

Pillow: Check out naturally-derived latex options like the Natural Care™ pillow. In addition to being comfortable and supportive, it is hypoallergenic and inherently resistant to dust mites, mold and mildew.

Sheets: Consider linens made from sustainable fabrics and know there is an eco-option to complement every season. Try organic cotton in spring, hemp in summer and organic flannel in winter.

Comforter: Snuggle under a cotton filled comforter rather than feather down. Although both are insulating, cotton is easily laundered in the washing machine, which helps remove allergens.

If you would like to get a copy of this helpful guide, it’s available for download at Simmons or you can also visit Natural Care Bed.

Here’s an interesting piece from Furniture Today which tackles on the power of advertising in business, especially in the mattress retail industry.

Speaking before a group of retailers last May, advertising executive Jon Parks says that mattress stores “shouldn’t shortchange their advertising programs” as research have proven that even with today’s economic climate all over America, companies who cut on their advertising budget are “outperformed” by those who don’t.

The report also assessed trends in online marketing, specifically, shopping for mattresses on the internet, to which Parks noted:

60% of consumers have used the Internet to do product research. So retailers need to leverage their strengths — the “bricks” of their stores — with the clicks that consumers will be making online to learn more about mattresses.

How can retailers beef up their advertising in today’s trend? More tips may be found here.