Do you ever wake up feeling that because you haven't slept well, you really don't want to get out of bed and start the day with a happy smile? The reason might be that your body didn't relax properly because it can't find a comfortable position to sleep in, one that gives support in all the right places such as your knees, hip, waist and neck. One possible solution to this problem is to start sleeping on a memory foam mattress. Unfortunately this option is expensive, so you might want to try a memory foam pillow or mattress topper before you go for the mattress?



In the 1970's NASA developed the first memory foam product for use in the seats of spacecraft. The reason for the foam was to absorb some of the high g-forces that astronauts experience on take off and landing. This was to make it more comfortable for the crew and leave them in a better condition to do their jobs. It wasn't available to the public until the 1990's when it was developed commercially into products such as mattresses. The market has grown quickly since then especially since doctors have been recommending it to relieve complaints such as pressure sores and back pain.

Although the first manufacturer was Tempur-Pedic (R) and used mainly in hospitals, the company soon heard that patients who used the foam, slept better, and they expanded production to sell to everyone. Since then other manufacturers have developed their own memory foam products and the largest producers now appear to be China and the Far East.

So, how does it help you to sleep? Memory foam is called a visco-elastic material, which means that it responds to temperature change. It becomes softer when it is warm and harder when it is cold. That means your body warmth softens the immediate area of foam when you lie on it and it and moulds itself to your shape.

Word of warning - with the cheaper, lower density foams, when the real cold weather sets in, the foam can become as hard as a board or it might turn into soft goo on hot summer nights! The more expensive brands guarantee that they will perform in the way they should through a wide temperature range.

Still not sure? Although a memory foam mattress might be the ultimate goal, why not try a foam pillow or a memory foam pad in the first instance. Most manufacturer's offer a selection of products and the better ones will offer a trial period and longer guarantees too so that if the product doesn't suit, you can hand it back.

Ask the retailer how the mattress is built because there are some important differences in the way they are constructed. Generally mattresses are made with a layer of memory foam of about three or four inches thick bonded on top of a denser, more supportive core. Remember that thicker is not always better; it should be just the right thickness for you. If the memory foam layer is too thick then you may sink too far into it, which is not a good idea. If you are a front sleeper then you should be looking for mattresses with about two inches of memory foam. Three inches of foam is better for you if you sleep on your side or if you are of average size. If you are a heavy or large person or you tend to sleep on you back then look for mattresses with about four inches of memory foam.

The advantages are clear - what about disadvantages ?.. why wasn't memory foam used by NASA? Foam is a man-made product that gives off gases when new. In your home this wears off in a very short space of time, but could have been a hazard in a space capsule! Nevertheless, if you are sensitive to this type of gas, you should think about finding a natural product like a foam latex mattress.

Although it is recommended that you try out memory foam mattresses in a local shop to find the one that suits you best, it is more cost effective to buy online.