Soft? Firm? When Choosing a Mattress, One Firmness Does Not Fit All

MEBANE, N.C., March 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sleep to Live® Institute, a leading sleep research center dedicated to a holistic approach to researching sleep and its affect on health and wellbeing, in conjunction with researchers from Duke University and the Research Triangle Institute International, is observing National Sleep Awareness Week 2010 with the results of a new study conducted on the most fundamental sleep accessory: the mattress.

The average American purchases a new mattress approximately four times in his or her life, and it is estimated that people spend nearly one third of their lives on a mattress. The Institute studied sleep surfaces and measured factors, such as sleep quality, feeling rested and daytime energy levels. The study was designed to help provide science-based information to consumers to assist them in selecting the right mattress for their sleep needs. Most consumers have a preconception about the type of mattress they need – soft or firm – without considering body physiology, pain triggers and the sleep patterns of a partner.  

Better Sleep, More Daytime Energy

As part of the study, participants slept on a full spectrum of mattresses ranging from soft to firm. Researchers found that body type, including spinal curvature and flexibility, factors heavily in determining an individual's proper sleep surface. When participants in the study had the correct sleep surface for their specific body types, they experienced significantly greater sleep time (increased minutes asleep), improved sleep efficiency (the percentage of time asleep) and increased daytime energy. Additionally, participants experienced a decrease in morning pain on the properly selected mattress.

"When it comes to choosing a mattress, this study suggests that consumers need a mattress that is appropriate for their specific body type," said Dr. Robert Oexman, director of the Sleep to Live Institute. "Our research discovered that a mattress with proper support and comfort can decrease morning pain, the amount of time spent awake when trying to fall asleep and the feeling of restedness when you awake, demonstrating that one firmness does not fit everyone's sleep needs."

The Institute studies other factors, such as sleep environment, noise disturbances, other sleep accessories and pillow type, which can help improve sleep. To learn more about the Institute, this study or other sleep issues, please contact Ayana Hernandez at 919-334-3781. For more information about Sleep to Live, visit www.sleeptolive.com.

About Sleep to Live®

Sleep to Live was developed by industry leader and innovator, Kingsdown, Inc., a company founded in 1904 in Mebane, N.C. that serves leading retailers across the United States, and in over 20 countries.  The Sleep to Live system is a new generation in sleep technology to determine the best sleep surface for your body.  Products are made to order using handcrafted techniques combined with state-of-the-art materials and equipment.  Research and development, training and distribution facilities, as well as two manufacturing facilities are also located at its Mebane headquarters.  International offices are located in Bangkok, Thailand and Tokyo, Japan.  Additional manufacturing and distribution centers are located in Winchester, VA; Muskogee, OK; Lakeland, FL; Knoxville, TN; as well as Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.sleeptolive.com.

SOURCE Sleep to Live