Cheaper Alternatives to Memory Foam Mattresses
* Are you trying to get a better nights sleep but you can't or don't want to pay for an expensive new mattress?
* Have you just purchased a new mattress but now find that it's too hard for you and not quite as comfortable as you thought it would be?
* Is your mattress good for you but you feel that you want just a little bit of additional comfort to make it easier for you to relax?
It's seems to be the opinion of many that memory foam mattresses, especially the Tempur Pedic (R) brand, are the best in providing you with the help to sleep you are looking for but they are quite expensive. You might want to have a look at alternative products that are available that can make your life more comfortable without having to break the bank to do it. If you like the alternatives and they make a difference to you then you can decide whether to invest in a new mattress sometime in the future.
The closest alternative to a memory foam mattress is a memory foam topper. A memory foam topper consists of a sheet of foam that you simply lay on top of your existing mattress. To use a topper your existing mattress must be of firm construction. If it is too soft for you already then the memory foam will only make things softer and possibly less comfortable for you. If your mattress is firm enough the foam will make it softer to lie on and more comfortable as it moulds itself to your body shape just like a memory foam mattress would. Remember that for maximum comfort your bed should be just the right softness for you.
If you have problems with aching neck and shoulders when you wake up then the first thing to do is to try a memory foam pillow. You might find that the additional support that you get from a memory foam pillow rather than a softer traditional one can make a lot of difference to you. Memory foam pillows come in two basic types, there are traditional shaped pillows and those that are shaped to fit into the curve of your neck and support your head. The pre-formed pillows are usually sold with a fitted cover but you can also use standard pillowcases with them.
My mother suffers from cervical spondilitis that causes her a lot of pain in the base of her neck and shoulder. My sister bought her a shaped memory foam pillow to try and help her out. It took my mother quite a while to get used to the pillow but she now finds that it helps her to sleep comfortably. She won't sleep with anything else now.
You only need the one pillow for the correct amount of support so don't buy more than one. You can get memory foam pillows that are the normal pillow shape but they tend to be slightly more expensive because they use more foam and they are not likely to be as supportive.
The same high-density visco-elastic foam that is used in the construction of mattresses is used in toppers and pillows. Its density governs the softness of the foam with 4lbs per cubic foot being softer than 5lbs per cubic foot. Tempur Pedic (R) appear to use foam with a density of 5.34 lbs per cubic foot which is high quality and one of the reasons for the higher cost. You can get toppers in different thickness but typically they tend to be about 2 to 3 inches thick. This is approximately the same thickness as you might find in a mattress construction with the foam layer bonded to a firmer core.
Memory foam is always used over a firmer core to make a mattress. The reason for this is that memory foam would be far too soft by itself. The higher the density of the foam the firmer it will be and it is likely to come with a higher price tag. It is recommended that you should not use anything with a density of less than 4lbs per cubic foot.
Steve is a software designer invites you to visit www.thememoryfoammattress.com
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