FOAM MATTRESS TOPPER

How a mattress topper could help your sleep

The idea behind a mattress topper is that it will give you a more comfortable, restful and refreshing night’s sleep. So how does it achieve these objectives?

There are many different types of mattress topper, but the most popular one has a visco elastic memory foam filling and it is this feature that can help you sleep better.

The objective behind a memory foam topper is that it adds an extra layer of material between you and a standard spring-based mattress that allows the mattress-topper combination to shape and curve to your unique body shape. The benefits that it can have are described below.

• Starting with your head, the memory foam contours around the shape of the skull to support it whilst keeping the top section of the spine straight, i.e. with the same alignment that it would have if you were standing upright. This places the head and neck in a natural and balanced position. No more waking up with a stiff neck!
• The shoulders are the parts of the upper body that have the largest bones and the greatest projections, particularly when lying on one’s side. The memory foam topper deflects and shapes around the shoulders to a much greater degree than the rest of the upper body and this allows the spine to remain straight, even when side sleeping.
• Like the shoulders, the hips constitute a large bony area and on a hard or flat surface they would be forced to twist (consequently twisting the spine). However, when lying on visco elastic memory foam the foam gives way and contours around the hips keeping the spine straight and the muscles around the hips and upper legs balanced and in a relaxed state.
• The lower legs work very hard during the day and the calf muscles are responsible for much of the legs’ return blood flow. This means that they need time to recover without pressure, but with good even support. Visco elastic memory foam provides this by cradling the lower legs and the large calf muscles.
• Finally the feet are at the extremity of the body and they have the weakest blood flow of all. Consequently, they must not be subjected to any pressures that could affect circulation or they will become cold and uncomfortable. Memory foam provides a soft cushioning surface for the feet.

Memory foam also adjusts as you move or shift you position and this body shaping property is also compounded by your body’s natural heat. This means that not only does the foam bend to your body shape as you move, but it also continues to shape itself around you as your body heat warms and softens the memory foam.