What is Memory Foam and How Can it Improve Sleep?

We spend an average of one third of our lifetimes in bed which means making our mattress choices is a very important decision. A lot of research and thought goes into choosing the perfect mattress, including which material is best for you. While many people have heard of memory foam mattresses, they might be unfamiliar with what it is made of and how it really works.

Related Blog: How Healthy Are Memory Foam Mattresses?

What is Memory Foam and What is it Made of? 

Memory foam was first created by NASA over 50 years ago. Its original purpose was to help astronauts stay comfortable and safe during spaceflight, but now it is most commonly used in mattresses. 

Memory foam is typically made out of polyurethane, an element commonly found in other household goods like shoes, car seats, couches, and more. Mattresses made of memory foam are usually heavy and dense, yet soft and supportive. Similar to spring mattresses, memory foam bounces back to its original shape upon rising, but it is better able to mold to your body's natural curvature than springs. 

How Would Memory Foam Work to Improve my Sleep?

Memory foam can provide superior comfort because it allows your body heat to mold the mattress to your own unique shape. This helps maintain your spine's natural alignment, leading to less back pain that could prevent you from falling asleep or making you wake up sporadically throughout the night or pain when you wake up.

Another plus of memory foam is that it tends to limit motion transfer, meaning that movement from one side of the bed won't be felt on the other side. If you share a bed with a partner, their movement throughout the night won't affect you as much as it might on a spring mattress. 

Lastly, memory foam is typically hypoallergenic, making it suitable for those who suffer from allergies. Being able to breathe because your mattress doesn't irritate your ears, nose, or throat is a definite plus for those with allergies. 

What are the Best Memory Foam Brands?

If you are interested in giving a memory foam mattress a try, there are several high quality brands out there for you to choose from. The best choice of mattress for you depends on your particular preferences and needs, but having some background knowledge can prove helpful when it comes time to make a decision. 

• Serta: Some people struggle with feeling hot at night, and memory foam is notorious for retaining heat while it flexes to support the shape of your body. Serta offers several mattresses with their cool balance technology, and their mattresses are approved by the National Sleep Foundation. Many of their memory foam mattresses have integrated cooling gel and heat-wicking material that can help promote air flow, keeping you cool and comfortable at night. 
• Tempur-Pedic: Tempur-Pedic was the first company to commercially produce memory foam mattresses, and they have continued to be a leader in the industry. They offer a wide range of mattress types to suit the needs of most sleepers, and they provide an incredible value for the price. As a result, we regularly recommend Tempur-Pedic at Land of Sleep, and our customers are almost always happy when they choose Tempur-Pedic. 

The best way to know if memory foam will work for you is to try it for yourself! Land of Sleep serves customers in the Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton, and North Port, Florida areas, and we would be happy to help you choose the best mattress for you. 

Contact us today if you'd like to know more about who we are and how we can help you get better sleep at night!