Smart Sleeping: It just keeps getting better

Smart phones, smart houses and smart appliances; what’s next? Well consider smart sleeping is here too. Memory foam mattresses that have gone beyond remembering you, to thinking about you.

Memory foam companies have tackled head on the resistance to early versions of visco-elastic foam. Consumers liked the idea but didn’t like initial versions. They felt the mattress trapped them in the contoured pockets, and the sleep experience was too hot and the mattress had a bothersome smell.

But there are new options now. Much improved and with more features and benefits than ever before. The trapped feeling was addressed by changing the composition of the material used to make the memory foam.

Instead of a polyurethane mix using petroleum and chemicals like ammonia to process the memory foam, natural products like castor seeds; latex and plant materials were used for making the memory foam. This evolved to complex combinations of memory foam and latex to make a perfect formula to balance coolness and comfort.

New layers were added to provide additional support to the mattress. This also addressed the sinking feeling; making the mattress more resilient. Other layers added coolness by allowing air to flow through shredded, spaced or channelled airways. This has addressed the sleeping hot concerns, in fact now consumers comment on the comfort and coolness.

Improvements in the process have made the density of the product more efficient as well. It is now recommended that density is 3-5 pounds per cubic foot, but 4 pounds now can make a luxurious feel where it was formerly 5 pounds.

Memory foam has become more affordable in the process. There are now competitive options to the once only option in the market; Tempur-Pedic®. There are options offering the same features and benefits but 30-50% less than the same product offered by Tempur-Pedic®. In addition, there are added financial incentives. Often they offer 90-day free trials, and substantial warranties. Some offer 10 year warranties, some offer lifetime warranties. Some vendors and retail sites are also offering financing to facilitate the purchase.

It has also been more focused on responsible manufacturing. Memory foam manufacturers have moved to green products instead of petroleum based processing. They use organic fabrics for covers. They focus on issues important to “green shoppers” such as sustainable raw materials such as bamboo and plant by-products with fast growing cycles. They use green processes in manufacturing plants. Some of the up and coming memory foam factories are also proudly made in the USA; helping keep Americans working.

Sleep is critical to health and well being. Old school mattresses make the sleep more challenging; springs and coils poke at you and create pressure points.

The mattress you choose should do more than lay there. It should help in the process. The smarter choice is one that moves with you, adapts to your body; providing support and comfort with the coolness you need for a great night sleep. You should be sleeping on a mattress that thinks for you; that moves with you and helps you feel rested by morning.