Introduction
Sleep is an important part of our lives, and the quality of sleep directly depends on the comfort of the mattress. If you wake up with body pain and feel that your mattress is too hard, don't rush to buy a new one. In this article, we will share proven and simple solutions that will help make your foam mattress softer and ensure a comfortable sleep without significant costs.
 
Bought A Hard Mattress: What To Do?
Did you choose a foam mattress, and a few nights later you realized that it was too hard? Do not rush to get upset or contact the store with claims. Often the problem is easier to solve than it seems. We tell you what steps need to be taken.
 
The first thing to do is to look at the documents. Most manufacturers give a trial period (from 14 days to several months), during which the mattress can be returned or exchanged. If the conditions allow, contact the store. You may be offered a replacement for a softer model or a refund. 
 
Give The Mattress And Body Time To Adapt. 
Often discomfort arises due to a sudden change of bed. The body needs 2-3 weeks to get used to the new stiffness.
 
Here's How To Help Yourself During This Period: 
1) Sleep in your usual position – do not change it to adjust to the mattress. 
2) Add a soft blanket or blanket over the top of the foam mattress. This will temporarily soften the surface. 
3) Do a morning warm-up: discomfort in the back can be associated with an unusual load on the spine.
 
Importantly!
If after 3 weeks the pain or discomfort has not gone away, the problem is definitely in the stiffness.
 
How Do You Know If A Mattress Is Too Hard?
Sometimes it feels like you wake up feeling like you've been lying on the floor all night: your back aches and hurts. Most likely, the fact is that the mattress is too hard. We will tell you how to make sure of this and what to do to make sleep comfortable again.
 
Symptoms Of Discomfort: When Stiffness Becomes A Problem
If the mattress does not fit in terms of firmness, the body "signals" about it the next day.
 
Here Are Some Things To Look Out For: 
Back and neck pain – especially after waking up. If the discomfort goes away 10-15 minutes after getting up, it is likely that the mattress does not support the spine correctly.
 
Numbness in the arms or legs – a hard surface presses on the joints, disrupting blood circulation.
 
Frequent awakenings at night – you have to toss and turn for a long time to find a comfortable position.
 
Red marks on the skin - after sleep, imprints from the seams or the relief of the cover remain.
 
Firmness Test: Check The Mattress In 5 Minutes
Not sure if the problem is the mattress? Take a simple test.
 
Lie on your back and ask someone to see how your body is in contact with the surface:
 
a) if there is a gap of more than 2-3 cm between the lower back and the mattress, the mattress is too hard; 
b) if the pelvis "collapses", and the shoulders and legs press on the surface, the same problem.
 
Turn on your side - ideally, the spine should remain straight, without curvatures.
 
Check the pressure on the shoulders and hips - if the bones literally rest on the foam mattress, it does not fit.
 
Place a thin blanket on the mattress and repeat the test. If it has become more comfortable, it's time to soften the bed.
 
Orthopedic Opinion: What Is The Right Stiffness?
Doctors remind: a mattress that is too hard is not always useful. Here's what they advise:
 
1) For thin people, mattresses with a soft surface are best suited - they help reduce pressure on the bones.
 
2) But for those who have a lot of weight, a mattress with medium or higher medium firmness is suitable so that the body does not "fall through".
 
3) If you have back problems, it is worth choosing a foam mattress individually. Preferably after consulting a doctor. For example, in osteochondrosis, moderately rigid models are often recommended.
 
The main rule. During sleep, the spine should maintain its natural curve, and the muscles should relax. If the mattress is too hard, the body tenses up, trying to "adjust" to it. 
 
How To Soften A Mattress At Home: 3 Working Methods
Buying A Topper: How To Choose The Material?
A topper is a thin mattress (3-7 cm) that is placed on top of the main foam mattress. It not only increases the comfort of the bed, but also performs protective functions, protecting the mattress from dirt, dust and moisture.
 
What Materials Will Soften The Bed: 
1)Latex is ideal for those who like elastic support. It does not fall through, keeps its shape, and is suitable for allergy sufferers. The disadvantage is the high price.
 
2)Memory foam is a material that "adjusts" to the body. It relieves pressure from the joints, suitable for people with a bad back. But in summer, it can be hot to sleep on it.
 
How To Choose: 
If you need elasticity, take latex.
If you want the effect of weightlessness, choose memory forms. 
 
Soft Filled Mattress Topper: Wool Vs Hollow Fiber
A mattress topper is a cover with a thin layer of filler. It is cheaper than a topper, but it can also make the bed softer.
 
Let's Compare The Options: 
Wool is a natural material that retains heat well in winter and coolness in summer. Soft, but requires gentle washing. The disadvantage is that it can cause allergies.
 
Hollowfiber is a synthetic filler, light and hypoallergenic. Quickly restores its shape after washing, but is less breathable than wool.
 
What To Choose: 
1) For warmth and environmental friendliness - wool. 
2) If you are looking for a more budget-friendly solution - holofiber. 
3) Keep in mind that the mattress topper softens the mattress slightly. If you need a radical solution, then it is better to buy a topper.
 
Add An Additional Layer.
If you don't want to spend money on accessories, try to get by with improvised means.
 
Add a layer of old blanket, folded in half. Secure it with elastic bands or sew it to the current case.
Use foam rubber - buy a sheet 2-3 cm thick, wrap it with a cloth and put it under the sheet.
If the mattress is too firm at the edges, place a rolled towel under the sheet to soften the pressure on your shoulders and hips.

Mattress Topper: Pros And Cons
Pros
Cheaper: price from 1,500 rubles.
Easy care. Most models are machine washable.
Protection against stains, dust mites and odors.

Cons
Slight softening. Only very slight hardness correction is suitable.
Crumpled. If the filler is cheap (for example, polyester), it quickly loses its shape.
 
 
How To Choose A Hard Mattress Topper: 3 Rules
If you've decided that a topper is your option, here's what you should look for when choosing.
 The thickness should be at least 5 cm. Thin models (2-3 cm) may not be up to the task.
 
Materials:
 latex – for elastic support;
memory foam – to relieve pressure from the joints;
coconut + latex – who needs to soften a little, but maintain support.

The Size Must Exactly Match The Mattress, Otherwise It Will Slide.
 How to avoid mistakes when buying a foam mattress: tips that will save nerves and money
Recommendations for choosing stiffness: how not to miscalculate?
The choice of mattress firmness depends on your weight, sleeping position and even health.
 
Weight Stiffness:
 Up to 60 kg – soft or medium-soft models. A firm mattress will press on the bones.
60-90 kg is medium stiffness. The optimal balance of support and comfort.
Over 90 kg – hard mattresses. They will prevent "falling through" and keep the spine straight.
Stiffness In Sleeping Position:
 
Sleep on your back, choose a universal medium hardness.
For sleeping on the side, it is better to choose mattresses no higher than an average level of firmness with balanced orthopedic and anatomical properties.
Sleeping on your stomach is not very good for our spine, as it bends unnaturally in this position. In order to reduce the negative effects of sleeping on your stomach, you should choose moderately soft or medium models with or without springs.

Testing in the store: how to check a mattress in 15 minutes?
Only your body can decide whether the mattress is right for you or not. Some useful tips on how to test the rigidity of the product in the store.
 
1) Choose The Right Time. 
Come to the store in the morning, when you are awake and can objectively assess the sensations.
Lie on the foam mattress for at least 10-15 minutes in your favorite position.

2) Take Your Pillow: 
If you sleep on a high pillow, bring it with you. The discrepancy between the height of the pillow and the mattress will distort the impression.

3) Check Support: 
Lie on your back. Ask someone to check if there is a gap between the lower back and the mattress. If there is, then the mattress is too hard.
Turn on your side. The spine should remain straight, without the feeling that the hip "rests on the board"

4) Simulate Real Conditions. 
If you do not sleep alone, lie down on the foam mattress together. Check if you are sliding to the center, if you do not feel vibrations from your partner's movements.

Get off the mattress and see how quickly it regains its shape. If dents remain, this is a bad sign.

Modern people spend most of the day sitting, leaning slightly forward. This is the most harmful position for the spine. The muscular corset relaxes, all the weight of the body falls on the spinal column. The spine takes on an irregular shape, and over time it becomes fixed. Unfortunately, it is difficult to notice this dangerous process on your own. Most people work while sitting at a computer. However, there are not so many alternatives to work that are not related to sedentary work. What to do?

With a properly selected design and rigidity of the bed, the spine takes the correct position during sleep.

If you do not take up prevention in time, at the first signs of scoliosis, then in the future the solution of the issue will require regular visits to doctors, massage therapists, trainers. And this is a very tangible investment of time, effort and money.

Is It Necessary To Correct Incorrect Posture?
Do I need to take care of correct posture at all? What's wrong with a little slouching? This is ugly, and even the most chic clothes will not make the image of a stooped person attractive. But this is not even the main thing. With posture disorders, the skeleton is deformed, and the load on the joints is distributed incorrectly. Therefore, they wear out and hurt faster. The circulation of cerebrospinal fluid is disrupted, nerves are pinched. There is discomfort in the lower back. This negatively affects the entire body, can cause frequent headaches. Even the improper functioning of the digestive organs can be associated with incorrect posture.

When sleeping on a properly selected foam mattress, the spine takes an anatomically correct position, and the number of health problems decreases.

How Does A Mattress Affect Posture?
A person spends at least 7 hours a day sleeping, during this time the posture can both improve and worsen, it all depends on the foam mattress.

An orthopedic foam mattress ensures an even position of the body on the surface of the bed, relieves tension from the back muscles and relieves the spine. Most often, for the prevention of posture problems, models with medium and higher stiffness are chosen. And when a person lies down on a hard surface, his stooped back straightens under the influence of gravity. A person has a good rest. During the night, the body "remembers" the correct position and maintains it during the day. This significantly improves not only the appearance, but also health. Some diseases associated with incorrect posture go away after buying a good mattress.

What Mattresses Will Help Improve Posture?
Models for improving posture can be different - spring and springless. In conditions of a limited budget, even a thin orthopedic topper with a height of 2-3 cm, located on top of an old bed, can help.

Medical orthopedic mattress with increased firmness. The basis of the design is the unique Nine Touches spring block, divided into 9 hardness zones for optimal body support. Natural fillers, linen and elastic Spanish soy foam Solid Foam, add orthopedic feel to the foam mattress and relieve muscle tension. As an additional comfortable layer, there is a branded removable cover made of linen fabric.

It consists of a combination of thick layers of natural latex and coconut coir. Elastic latex follows the contours of the body and makes rest comfortable. A layer of coconut under the latex supports the spine in the correct position, it is relieved of the load accumulated during the day. Slouching disappears, proper blood flow is restored. After relaxing on the Comfort Line Mix Puff, you will wake up rested, fresh, in a good mood.

Each in a separate case, works autonomously and silently. The more springs, the more accurately the mattress adjusts to the contours of the body and the more reliable support the spine receives. During the night, the body gets used to the correct position, a beautiful posture is maintained during the day.

The upper flooring layer with a relief surface massages soft tissues, improves blood and lymph flow, and prevents the appearance of edema.

A suitable solution when it is not possible to change the mattress, but it is necessary to increase the orthopedic nature of the bed. The mattress topper can be placed on top of an old mattress or even a sofa, it will hide the flaw of the sleeping surface and make it hard and orthopedic. You will have a good rest and recovery in your sleep, regardless of the quality of the main mattress.

Choosing a good foam mattress is the key to a good rest. And this is the key to good daily performance and good physical and mental health. But how do you know which mattress is the best?

Today, we are analysing two of the most common materials: viscoelastic and spring mattresses. What are the differences between them? Which one is better? In this article, we explain the characteristics of both materials, their advantages and disadvantages, their differences, and who they are best suited for.

What Is A Memory Foam Or Memory Foam Mattress?
Viscoelastic is a synthetic foam mattress with thermoreactive properties and high resilience. In other words, it is a material that reacts to body heat, making it more flexible and allowing it to adapt to the shape of the body. In addition, it quickly returns to its original shape without deforming when contact is interrupted. Its main characteristics are therefore its great adaptability and ergonomics, as it evenly distributes the weight of the body, relieving pressure points and preventing the transmission of movements.

However, when we talk about memory foam mattresses, we mean that they contain layers of this material. It cannot be used alone, as its qualities would cause us to sink too deep into the mattress. It must be combined with another material that provides support to the core of the mattress.

Types Of Viscoelastic
From its first application to the present day, viscoelastic has evolved and given rise to different types:

• Expanded viscoelastic: Open pores promote air circulation inside (it is cooler), but reduce its ability to adapt.
• Viscoelastic with closed pores: it is denser, therefore warmer on contact, but offers an optimal ability to adapt.
• Vegetable viscoelastic: It is obviously not 100% plant-based, but it contains additives such as soy, aloe vera or activated carbon to give the visco the advantages of these materials.

Pros and Cons of Memory Foam or Viscoelastic Foam
Before opting for this material, we want to explain its advantages and disadvantages so that you can make the best choice:

Benefits

• It has great adaptability and ergonomics. It helps maintain spinal alignment, reduces muscle and nerve tension, and improves blood circulation.
• Good feeling of comfort. Softens the hardness of the spine and provides pleasant comfort.
• It has great sleeping independence. Thanks to its high adaptability, it reduces the transmission of motion, making it ideal for double beds or people who move a lot while sleeping (a 3-5 cm layer is recommended, however).

Disadvantages

• It is hot. Since it reacts to body temperature, it can give a certain sensation of warmth on contact, which increases as the density of the visco increases. There are solutions such as viscogel, which allow the surface to be cooled.
• It is not an economical material. It tends to increase the price of mattresses.
• Less durability. Visco can lose its properties over time.

Who Is A Memory Foam Mattress Suitable For?
A viscoelastic mattress is ideal for people who want to sleep more comfortably without losing support, who want to relieve pressure points and who prioritize adaptability and maintaining proper spinal alignment.

They are also suitable for people who spend long hours in bed and those who suffer from muscular, joint or circulatory problems. It is also suitable for people who sleep with their partner, as it reduces the transmission of movement.

What Is A Spring Mattress?
Spring mattresses are mattresses whose core consists of a steel spring structure (see below types). As they promote ventilation of the mattress,they do not accumulate moisture and are cooler and more breathable.

Their adaptability, firmness, and ability to prevent the transmission of movement from one side of the bed to the other depend on the type of spring. The most used today are pocket springs.

As these mattresses are not flexible, they are not suitable for articulated beds and it is not advisable to use them on slatted bases, unless the distance between them is less than 5 cm.

Types Of Springs
Spring mattresses have also evolved over time. The first springs, which were simple, biconical and were connected together by steel wires. Their firmness was generally medium to low.

They were followed by continuous wire springs, i.e. a network made up of a single metal wire, which gave great firmness, but less adaptability as well as very little sleeping independence.

Finally, the most advanced are pocket springs, which are independent and are each covered with a fabric bag. The result of these is good firmness, accompanied by adaptability and great sleeping independence.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Springs
The main advantages and disadvantages of spring mattresses are:

Benefits

• Very high breathability. They allow air to circulate properly inside the mattress, keeping it cool and preventing moisture from accumulating.
• Homogeneous distribution of body weight. Especially in the case of pocket springs, which have good adaptability, minimize pressure points and prevent sagging.
• They do not transmit movements. They are a good option for double beds or people who move around a lot during the night.
• More economical. The final price of the mattress depends on the materials it is combined with, but the springs themselves are not a factor in increasing the price of the product.
• High durability. They are more resistant over the years than viscoelastics.

Disadvantages
Stiffer. They offer greater support in the core area and are harder, which is why they are always combined with softer material layers, especially viscoelastic.
Noisy. With the exception of pocket coils, other types of coils make noise when you move on the mattress.

Who Is A Spring Mattress Suitable For?
It is the mattress that is best suited for people who are looking for good support, but tend to get hot while sleeping, or who live in hot or humid areas, and therefore need a cool, breathable mattress. It is also a good choice for people who move around a lot while sleeping or for double beds.

Which Is Better, A Spring Mattress Or A Memory Foam Mattress?
As we always reiterate, there is no one type of mattress that is better than another in general, but it depends on the needs and characteristics of each sleeper.

For example, if you're looking for an adaptable mattress, both pocket coils and viscoelastic have this feature. However, viscoelastic is more effective in avoiding pressure points and offers a very good feeling of comfort.

Do you often tend to feel haughty or cold when you sleep? While spring mattresses are characterized by their high breathability, visco mattresses, especially if they have a very thick or dense layer, give a feeling of warmth. Spring mattresses are therefore more suitable for people who are often hot during sleep or who live in very hot or humid regions, while visco mattresses are ideal for people who are cold.

If you are in a couple in bed, either of the two options may be suitable for you as both of these materials significantly reduce the transmission of motion from one side of the bed to the other. The same applies if you tend to move when you sleep, but in this case, the viscoelastic layer should be at least 3 cm high.

In addition to the mattress, the pillow is also an essential element for a restful sleep.

An unsuitable pillow can cause pain and discomfort, which can affect the quality of our sleep. The ergonomic memory foam pillow is becoming more and more popular, as they offer optimal support for the head and neck.

But Is That The Only Advantage?

We propose to deepen this subject, to identify a set of benefits conducive to a restful sleep.

Memory Foam Pillow: Simple Definition
A memory foam pillow is an ergonomic pillow designed with memory foam that has the ability to fit perfectly to the shape of your head and neck.

Under the effect of body heat, this foam molds to your curves, providing personalized support and reducing pressure points. This type of pillow is especially recommended for people with neck or back pain, as it promotes correct alignment of the spine during sleep.

After use, it returns to its original shape, which guarantees comfort and a long-lasting product.

What Are The 4 Advantages Of A Memory Foam Pillow
Personalized Head And Neck Support
As seen earlier, memory foam pillows are designed to fit the shape of your head and neck. This memory foam technology reacts to your body heat, allowing the pillow to mold perfectly to the shape of your head and neck.

Alongside a polyester pillow, this offers personalized support, which can allow you to reduce pain and discomfort during your sleep.

Reduced Pain And Discomfort
Memory foam pillows can help reduce the pain and discomfort caused by a poor sleeping position. By offering personalized support for your head and neck, these memory foam pillows such as Memory, can help align your spine, which can reduce lower back pain, neck pain, and headaches that can occur as soon as you wake up.

Elimination Of Pressure Points
Memory foam pillows distribute the weight of your head and neck evenly across their entire surface. This can help eliminate pressure points, reducing the chances of pain and discomfort. Removing pressure points can also improve blood circulation, which can promote more restful sleep.

Reduced Snoring And Sleep Apnea
Snoring has been very well known for years, and sleep apnea is a phenomenon that is increasingly encountered. Having memory foam pillows can help reduce these two phenomena that are not easy for you and your partner. By optimally supporting your head and neck, these pillows can help keep your airway open, reducing snoring and sleep apnea. This type of pillow can therefore allow you to enjoy a better quality of sleep on a daily basis.

Key Takeaways
Memory foam pillows offer many benefits for restful sleep. They allow for personalized support for the head and neck, which can reduce pain and discomfort. They eliminate pressure points, improving blood circulation and promoting more restful sleep. Finally, they can also reduce snoring and sleep apnea, which can improve the quality of your nights and reduce the risks of health problems associated with sleep apnea. If you're looking to improve the quality of your sleep, a memory foam pillow can be a great investment.