There are a lot of people out there sleeping on older mattresses. Studies show that people sleep on their old mattress 3 - 5 years past its useful life. For some reason people just hate to replace their old mattress. So when it comes time to buy a replacement, many people want to hold on to their bed just a little longer and revamp with a memory foam mattress topper.
Old mattresses are familiar and comforting. We get used to the way our old bed feels and don't realize how it's slowly changing for the worse. Usually we go out looking for a new mattress as a last resort because our backs ache and we are losing sleep. We love to spend money on new cars or electronics because they are fast and shiny and make us look cool. But most of us grudgingly shop for a new mattress.
It's a mystery why. Everybody loves their mattress. We spend 1/3 of our lives in bed and our mattresses are a big factor in the quality of sleep we get and our life in general. They are so important to us, so when it's time for an improvement, we can really benefit from a good choice.
Get A Memory Foam Mattress Topper
When a mattress has taken a turn for the worse many people think of revamping with a mattress topper. This is a great idea if your mattress is a good match. There are two questions to consider when evaluating your current mattress:
1) Is it too soft?
2) Does it sag in the middle?
If you can answer yes to either one of these questions, then you need to skip the topper and go for a whole memory foam mattress. But if your mattress is firm and flat, then it's a good candidate for a foam topper upgrade.
Mattress toppers come in 2", 3", and 4" heights as a standard. The thicker the topper, the softer it will make your bed. So if you have a really firm bed, or you just want a super soft mattress, then you may want to go with the 4" topper. Most people use a 3" topper. If you just want a little extra softness, then 2" will be fine.
Get A Memory Foam Mattress
If your mattress is not firm and flat, then it's not a good match for a mattress topper. It's time to go for a whole new bed.
Memory foam mattresses are constructed with 2 basic layers, the memory foam layer on top and the base foam layer on bottom. The purpose of the memory foam layer is to provide contouring comfort and initial support. The base layer flexes and offers deep support. It keeps your hips and shoulders from sinking too far into the mattress and keeps your spine in alignment.
A good mattress is constructed with just the right amount and kind of both memory foam and base foam. In addition a good cover keep your mattress clean, acts as a fire retardant, and wicks moisture away from you to help keep you cool and dry.
Both memory foam toppers and mattresses are a good choice if you appreciate the benefits of memory foam. If you want to keep your current mattress, just make sure it's a good fit for a topper (it's firm and flat) and if not, then go whole hog and get a good memory foam mattress. You will be glad you did.