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choosing a mattress that provides comfort and health

Indians are the second-most sleep-deprived people in the world, with an average nightly sleep of seven hours and one minute, according to a 2019 study conducted by the U.S.-based firm Fitbit across 18 countries. They rank after the Japanese, who report an average sleep duration of six hours and 47 minutes. The importance of sleep cannot be stressed enough. Humans need between seven and 10 hours of sleep everyday for proper cognitive and behavioural functions.

According to the School of Public Health, University of Michigan, sleep is essential to every process in the body, “affecting our physical and mental functioning the next day, our ability to fight disease and develop immunity, and our metabolism and chronic disease risk”. A good mattress can make all the difference in how your body — and you — feels when you wake up. Research suggests that sleeping on a medium-firm mattress, especially one with adjustable firmness, can promote comfort, ensure proper spinal alignment, and lead to quality sleep.

Neelam Dewani, Director of Avit Lifestyle, which has brought Swedish bed brand Hästens to India, says selecting the ideal mattress is a highly individualised process that cannot be achieved through a one-size-fits-all approach. “It’s ideal to get support from a sleep expert in a store who can help you to understand your sleep style and what can work best for you. Factors to be considered include sleeping position, body shape, and weight,” she says.

She adds that a good mattress should provide your body with the appropriate support sans pressure points that may cause pain or discomfort.

“Opt for a mattress made from natural materials that are hypoallergenic and skin-friendly. These natural materials promote breathability, crucial in obtaining a deep, restorative, and healing sleep for overall well-being. Take your time selecting a mattress that can improve the quality of your sleep and overall health,” she says.

Ankit Garg, CEO and Co-Founder, Wakefit.co, says it is important to pick a mattress that helps provide ample support to the body while keeping one’s back, neck and spine aligned in a neutral position. “Research has proven that the human body needs at least 14 days to adjust to a new mattress. Physical stores that can only provide a touch-and-feel experience and not offer a buy-and-try policy are not the ideal avenue to purchase a mattress,” he says.

According to the Great Indian Sleep Scorecard 2023, there was a 24% increase in the number of people who believe a better mattress will help improve the quality of sleep. In line with this, there has been a significant growth in the organised mattress market, especially in Tier II and Tier III markets, with people becoming cognisant of the benefits that good mattresses provide. “New-age sleep solutions companies are also experimenting with technology such as the Expert Grid Mattress, Gel Foam Mattress etc. which helps with cooling and keeping the temperature of the mattress at an optimal level,” Garg says.