We spend a third of our lives in bed, so buying a new mattress is a very important purchase.

"Road Test" Your Mattress

You'll have dozens of options to consider when you buy a new mattress, and many manufacturers will bombard with you all sorts of claims regarding comfort and support. The only way to filter through all these choices is to lie on as many mattresses as you can - and for as long as you can. You need to spend 5, 10, even 15 minutes on a mattress to get the right idea!

Soft, Medium Or Firm?

As a general rule of thumb, soft mattresses are good for "side sleepers" because they support and contour to body curves. Medium mattresses are good for people who sleep on their backs as they provide good support for spine and neck, while firm mattresses are usually considered ideal for "stomach sleepers" as they help keep the spine aligned. Remember though, there's no substitute for your own mattress "road test"!

Hypoallergenic Options

A new mattress can help relieve allergies, or asthma-like conditions, because of their hypoallergenic qualities. This can be something to consider if there are allergy sufferers in the family.

Quality not Quantity

The idea that more innerspring coils mean a better night's sleep is not necessarily correct. It's the quality of the coil that counts, not the quantity.

Don't Forget Memory Foam

A memory foam mattress is another option, considered to be more hypoallergenic than most mattresses, and a good choice for people who suffer from back and joint pain.