Memory Foam Mattress

You must remember this: a memory foam mattress is not just a mattress.

Everyone buys clothes, shoes, gloves and other necessities of a particular size that will best suit them. Yet the same logic seldom applies when purchasing a bed. When it comes to sleeping, it's just assumed that one size fits all. Therein lies the appeal of the memory foam mattress. A memory foam mattress conforms to your unique shape, providing you with the comfortable sleep that comes from a perfect fit.

What is memory foam?

Memory foam is made from polyurethane and is technically referred to as visco-elastic polyurethane foam. In simpler terms, a memory foam mattress is heat and pressure sensitive and will mold itself around the shape of your body.

If you always wanted to be an astronaut when you were growing up, a memory foam mattress might be as close as you'll ever get. Memory foam was developed by NASA in the 1970s. The intention was to use it as padding for flight chairs to protect astronauts from the physical stresses caused by G-forces during shuttle launches. However, NASA encountered problems with the material and it was never used for space flight.

New uses were found for memory foam in the medical industry, where its pressure relieving qualities made it ideal as a sleeping aid for patients. Its use in the medical community would eventually lead to the adoption of the memory foam mattress for the commercial market in the 1990s.

Today, many companies promote the unique benefits of their memory foam mattresses and memory foam mattress toppers or overlays.

Memory foam mattress features

Sounds hi-tech, you say, but what advantages would a memory foam mattress really offer? Well, by alleviating pressure points, a memory foam mattress minimizes back pain and improves blood circulation. By conforming to your body, your memory foam mattress increases comfort and improves the quality of your sleep.

When shopping for a memory foam mattress, you'll hear a great deal of talk about density levels. The rule of thumb with memory foam mattresses is the denser the better.

The 5 lb or 5.3 lb density is one of the highest. These memory foam mattresses will be heavier and stiffer than lower density models. A 5 lb density memory foam mattress will be very temperature sensitive, but you will pay more than you would for a lower density model.

Many people prefer the 4 lb density memory foam mattress. This memory foam mattress will be softer and a little less supportive than the 5 lb, but offers a comparable sleeping experience for a much lower price.

Durability was one of the initial problems when memory foam was being developed, and still can be if you purchase a lower quality memory foam mattress. Doing your research or sticking with a trusted name brand such as Tempur-Pedic or Serta will help you avoid buying a memory foam mattress with long-term memory loss.

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