Sleep Well, Stay Healthy
Sleep Well, Stay Healthy
It’s said that your mattress may be one of the most important investments you can make. Indeed, when you sleep well, you enjoy better mental health, feel more refreshed every morning, and wake up with a spring in your step. A good mattress is one that’s comfortable
to sleep on, even if you’re a restless sleeper who tosses and turns often throughout the night; and if you have skin or respiratory allergies, the right mattress will not trigger flare-ups.
A good-quality mattress also won’t worsen a back condition if you have one; instead, it will be kind to your neck and spine, preventing aches and pains.
“Your mattress should last 10 to 15 years,” says Alec Liong, Product Development Head, Mattress, King Koil. The right mattress shouldn’t leave you with a bad back or respiratory conditions. We ask experts for tips on choosing the most suitable one.
“And since we spend about a third of our lives in bed, you shouldn’t settle for the lowest-cost option.”
“Research shows that sleeping on a good-quality mattress can help us develop better sleep efficiency and increase the likelihood of deep sleep, which may in turn have a positive impact on our life,” adds Janette Teoh, a physiotherapist at Heal360 Physioclinic.
“To find the perfect mattress for your physique and needs, you should test the different ones out there, since everyone has different preferences.” Whatever your health concerns, here’s how a well-chosen mattress can help. Plus, some tips on selecting the best
mattress for yourself and your family.dd your text
Problems with your spine
“Our spine is naturally curved and needs to be supported during the night, because all our muscles relax and lose tension when we sleep,” says Janette.
“A non-supportive mattress causes our deep spinal muscles to work all night to support our spine, and this may result in
body aches in the morning.
“A soft mattress can cause your spine to curve into a C shape at night, which stresses the back of the spinal disc, while
a rock-hard mattress will not distribute your body’s pressure evenly and may cause pain in parts of your body.
“Over the long term, sleeping on a poorquality mattress may lead to chronic pain and muscle and joint stiffness.”
Maintaining a proper posture while you sleep is therefore important, adds Christine Lim, Senior Marketing Executive
at Maxcoil.
“If back pain is your main concern, you should invest in a supportive mattress like a hybrid mattress, which has the feel of a
medium-firm mattress but is made from soft materials.”
Mattress pick: The MaxCoil Botany Tencel Tenesea Mattress, with its hybrid foam layers, provides responsive support and a medium firm comfort feel. The Tencel and natural latex offer long-lasting softness and excellent breathability properties that help the body stay cool and comfortable, while the individual pocketed spring system promotes natural spine alignment with excellent relief for pressure points.
Recurring back or neck pain
If you suffer from chronic back or neck pain, your mattress should support your spine and not leave a gap between your spine and the mattress, especially in the lumbar and pelvic region, says Janette.
You should also choose a good pillow that supports your cervical spine. If the pain is disrupting your sleep, you may need to seek professional help from a physiotherapist before purchasing a mattress or pillows.
Mattress pick:
King Koil is the only mattress manufacturer that is endorsed by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) to help promote proper spinal alignment and a healthier night’s sleep since 1967. Their Posture Sleep Super Mattress has a Specialised 5-Zone Spring System – the individual pocketed springs are pre-compressed to give more specific effect, greater resilience and better support for your back. Individually encased coils and independent coil action minimise disturbance, ensuring a peaceful night’s rest.
Skin or respiratory allergies
When you have allergy symptoms, it’s hard to fall and stay asleep, says
Christine.
“Snoring may be caused by nasal congestion and an obstruction of airflow. Insomnia may result from general discomfort caused by allergy symptoms, and allergy sufferers are
more likely to experience disturbed sleep.
“Hypoallergenic memory foam beds and latex mattresses are denser, thus leaving less room for bacteria to grow. But sometimes, the chemicals used for foam production may trigger asthma, and some people are allergic to latex. That’s why it’s important to read the fine print and find out what materials were used to produce the mattress before
making your purchase.”
Mattress pick: MaxCoil manufactures the foam used in its mattresses and thus can ensure low VOC (VOCs area specific by-product of the synthetic foam manufacturing process), says Christine. On top of that, MaxCoil mattresses come with Swiss Sanitized® Antimicrobial Protection, which makes them Anti-Bacteria, Anti-Dustmite and Anti-Mould. The revolutionary Swiss Sanitized® Actifresh technology assures that the mattresses are refreshed, providing a hygienic sleep environment that is clean and safe.
Trouble sleeping
A supportive mattress is essential for restless sleepers, says Christine.
“On beds of various firmness levels, your comfort will also be affected by the position
you typically sleep in. Mattresses with a softer feel are preferred by side sleepers,
while back and stomach sleepers may prefer something firmer. Of course, not everyone
has these exact preferences, but it’s a good place to start when considering getting a
new mattress.”
“When testing mattresses, your body should feel aligned and balanced,” says Bobby Li Product Development Executive, Mattress, King Koil. “There must be no stress on your spine or other parts of your body.”
Mattress pick: For a comfortable night’s sleep, try the King Koil Grand Elegance Super Lifestyle mattress, which is handcrafted with the finest natural fillings of cashmere, cotton
and silk. The deep box top offers a luxuriously plush and comfortable sleep experience while the 4,000 pocket springs in the mattress and base combined help support your body.