To go to bed at night and wake up feeling well-rested in the morning—ah, that's the dream! And while our daily physical activities, diet, and sleep schedules are factors for better slumber, creating a room that's conducive for sleeping can make all the difference for getting that much-deserved good night's Zzzz.
That's where memory foam comes in. Made from a material called "viscoelastic" polyurethane foam, this soft and durable mattress has the inherent capacity to wick away moisture and the ability to mold to our body shapes in response to pressure.
As part of our series: Memory Foam—Up Close and Personal—this article aims to answer some of your related questions and concerns about this popular household product.
What are the types of memory foam mattresses?
Memory foam comes in different types, shapes, and sizes. When deciding on the best memory foam to buy, knowing the three most common types of foam used in these cushions and mattresses can help you pick the one that suits your needs.
Traditional
Also known as the "classic" version, traditional memory foam is designed to cradle and support your body, reduce pressure on joints, and improve blood circulation. It is also effective at absorbing movements to lessen the level of impact, so you wouldn't have to worry about all the tossing and turning around even if you are sharing a bed with someone.
Gel-infused
Gel memory foam is everything like its traditional counterpart, but with an added perk—its heat-absorbing capabilities. The gel particles are either infused into the foam itself or as an added layer on top of the foam. Because of its ability to dissipate heat, this particular type is a better option in terms of breathability as it allows the surface of the bed to feel cool when the weather is hot.
Open-cell
Think of open-cell memory foam as a sponge with millions of tiny cells for optimal airflow. This structure does not trap heat for better and cooler sleep while still keeping its pressure-relieving and body-supporting properties.
What are the benefits of memory foam?
Memory foam mattress or memory foam topper, it really doesn't matter since each variant offers a handful of health benefits. It's perfect for anyone experiencing chronic neck pain or back pain since it can promote a neutral spine alignment. Due to its resilient nature, it can also accommodate different sleeping positions for side, back, and stomach-sleepers to enjoy.
If you are allergic to mold, mildew, pet dander, dust mites, and the whatnots, then you'd be happy to know that polyurethane—the very component of memory foam is a natural allergen repellent.
How to choose the best memory foam?
If a good night's sleep has been avoiding you for a while now, then it could be high time to replace the culprit—the wrong mattress. Check the density for starters. A low-density foam feels way softer than others which allows your body to quickly sink into it.
Medium-density is great for first-time buyers and average sleepers, and if you're into optimal comfort and motion isolation. Meanwhile, in terms of durability, high-density foam is the top choice.
You also need to determine the thickness of your memory foam mattress which can range from 6 to 14 inches. And while the thicker the mattress is, the softer it will be, you can always add a memory foam topper to increase the thickness and comfort of your bed.
Next up, check the size. While they are made available in all the standard sizes for a mattress, always opt for something that pairs well with your bed frame.
Another important factor when shopping for memory foam is your budget. Consider getting a good night's sleep as an investment. You might need to splurge a little, but there are still options that won't hurt your pocket.
For better sleep, you may also grab a few other pieces from our memory foam topper Australia collection including a leg cushion, support pillow, and bed wedge back pillow which can fix your snoring and acid reflux issues.
Memory foam is indeed a great mattress of choice for many reasons. The next part of this series will be all about improving its longevity with lots of TLC, so stay tuned.