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August 10, 2012 | Comments (1)

Sex. There, I said it.

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Editor’s note: This guest post is written by Mark Quinn, VP at Leggett & Platt, the leading producer of coil springs for mattresses. You can read more from Mark on his blog.

I think it’s time we had a little talk about sex — and believe it or not, I am betting that nobody has ever told you what I am going to tell you…

It’s 3:12 a.m. You are up for the third time because you are tossing and turning and can’t get comfortable. As you come out of your sleep-induced haze, the pain in your back becomes apparent and you realize you need a new mattress.

The next day you go to the local sleep shop ready to find a solution to that which is ailing you. As you are perusing the sea of white rectangles you think to yourself, “I need to find something more comfortable,” but do you ever stop to consider how good the sex is going to be on top of it?

Consider the recent article written by Barron’s that highlights the complaints of many Americans as it relates to poor performance in the bedroom. I don’t mean the performance of your partner — I am talking about the performance of your mattress. With the growing popularity of memory foam beds, people are coming to realize that it might have felt good in the store but they never gave any consideration to how it would perform during the more intimate moments. One person said, “Its like trying to do it in quicksand.” It got so bad for another couple they ended up on the floor because their mattress just wasn’t getting it done.

Are spring beds better for sex? Dr. Caleb Browning, a Physicist with Leggett & Platt says that “innerspring beds return energy versus a foam surface that absorbs energy. So what that means is that you can get more motion on an innerspring bed with less effort.” Pause on that thought for a moment. Dr. Browning is saying that innerspring beds have a more playful bounce, returning energy when you want it so that you don’t have to work as hard to get the same results? That is the biggest no-brainer of the century — SIGN ME UP!

Whether that makes sense to you or not, think about sex when you buy that new mattress because it is an important issue. Dr. Rubin Naiman — a clinical psychologist based in Tucson, Arizona, and leader in the emerging field of integrative sleep and dream medicine — knows all about the subject of sleep and sex. “We know that lovemaking carries us into a relaxed state that can help with sleep onset. I often remind people that evening sex is a great, natural sedative. So, there’s an important circular connection between sex and sleep: Sleeping together can make for better sleep and, of course, better sleep can make for better sleeping together.” Did you get that? Sex and sleep go hand in hand.

So, don’t simply settle for a mattress that feels good when you are lying on it in the showroom. Make sure you consider what is going to happen when things start to heat up. Your mattress should be great for your SLEEP and SEX, so maybe a hybrid makes sense for you. Watch this funny music video we made with Second City Communications out of Chicago, all about how the combination of springs and memory foam create the best of both worlds — providing just the right amount of comfort and “bounce per ounce” in the bedroom (if you know what I mean). Enjoy the video, and most of all, enjoy your new bed in every way you can.

Posted in: Shopping Tips Tags: , ,   
February 27, 2012 | Comments (0)

Coming soon to your local mattress store…

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Get ready for a raft of new product introductions in your local mattress stores.  The mattress industry is overflowing with new brands, new product lines, and new features.  At the industry’s recent trade show in Las Vegas, virtually every mattress producer showroom was packed with retailers, and most had a variety of new product innovations to show off.  Of all the furniture industry markets I have attended in the past few years, this was certainly one of the most exciting and high-energy.

To provide our readers a sense for what the market was like, and what to expect in your local mattress stores in the coming year, I wanted to share this great video from the folks at Sleep Savvy, a leading trade magazine published by the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA).  If you like the BeeGees, you may even want to watch it more than once!

Posted in: Mattress Industry, Shopping Tips Tags:   
December 12, 2011 | Comments (0)

Better Sleep: How a Good Mattress Can Improve Your Health

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Research now shows that getting deep, restorative sleep on a comfortable, supportive mattress may be one of the most beneficial things people can do for their overall health, wealth and well being. It helps us wake up each day physically, intellectually and emotionally renewed. In this improved state we are more efficient, productive and better equipped to relate and interact with our family and others.

A Cumulative Effect

Every month, the average person spends 10 days sleeping on a mattress. We all understand that daily vitamins, exercise, and healthy meal choices all have a cumulative beneficial effect over time. The positive effects of sleep over time may have even more dramatic effects on our health and appearance.

It’s especially important for children to sleep on quality mattresses as they grow and develop.

So why are people wary of buying a new mattress?

It’s just human nature. We buy things we want for how we imagine they will make us feel. The items we want offer us an emotional payback and the hope for happiness. But, we tend to take products that we need and depend upon every day for granted. We buy those items for the function they perform using our intellect and logic to discern value.

Because mattresses seem similar, it’s not always easy to establish their value.

Real Value

The real value of a mattress is how it can make us feel. A quality mattress offers a direct path to a deep down foundation of happiness and a sense of well being. If you haven’t tried a new mattress recently, you will be amazed with the plush comfort and the luxurious covers. Go see for yourself.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you shop.

    • Don’t scrimp. Like anything else, you get what you pay for. The better the mattress the more likely you will get extra minutes of deep uninterrupted sleep per night. They are one of the most important investments you can make.
    • Buy from a reputable store. Reputable stores know how to match you with the right product. Caring associates begin by asking you questions that will help them understand and meet your personal sleep needs and have the genuine motive of helping improve your quality of life.
    • Test drive. Just as you would test drive a car, take plenty of time to really get the feel of the mattresses by using a comfortable pillow, lie in the position you normally wake up in and let your imagination kick in. Get a glimpse of what life could be if you could escape from life’s daily stress to a cloud in the bedroom every night.
    • Consider your experience and expectation. As you try different models, find one most similar to your current model and then see if you like other comfort choices better. If you slept well on your current style for a number of years then consider staying with a similar feel. If you like the thicker, softer models, keep in mind that you sleep in, rather than on them, as you would with a more traditional, firmer model. Do expect the thicker, softer ones to show indentations because they are designed to conform to you.
    • Allow at least 30 days to adjust to a new mattress. Even longer if you are changing comfort levels from your previous mattress. It takes our bodies a while to adjust to a new sleeping surface.
    •  Protect Your Investment. 
      • Mattress Protector: The new generation of “pads” are breathable and moisture proof and will keep your mattress dry, fresh, odor free and sanitary for years.
      • Heavy Duty Frame: Inadequate frames can actually cause damage to your mattress set and possibly void the warranty
    • Maximize your enjoyment by including these important accessories and services with your purchase.
      • New Pillows: Pillows should be replaced every couple of years.
      • Sheets and Comforters: New high thread-count sheets have the feel of silk and are more durable than ever.  Also look for new breathable temperature-regulating fibers.

 

A top quality, comfortable and supportive mattress may be one of the best consumer products you can buy for your health and happiness.

Posted in: Health, Shopping Tips, Sleep Tags: , ,   
February 10, 2011 | Comments (0)

Why Do All Mattresses Look the Same?

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Visit a mattress showroom anywhere in North America and you will find that most every mattress is some shade of white, off white or beige? Remove the labels, the foot protectors and decorative pillows and it is hard to distinguish one bed from another.

Doesn’t that seem odd? Why wouldn’t each brand want to differentiate itself and come up with some distinctive color scheme? Why wouldn’t they hire a top designer to seasonally debut new models with the latest pallet of chic colors?

Well here’s the answer. You’re the reason. Don’t get mad, I mean you, collectively, being a consumer. It’s true, and I’ll explain.

Step Into The Time Machine

It wasn’t always this way. As recently as the early 90′s,  there was a real variety of fabric colors including shades of green, blue, gold, pink and silver — pretty much every color except white. In addition, many fabrics came in a variety of patterns including floral, paisley and geometric designs. Believe it or not, one major manufacturer’s top of the line model had a black background with bright colored flowers. Ouch!

While there was a plethora of hues to choose from, one of the most common questions asked by shoppers was, “Does this mattress come in any other color?” Color is one of those personal preference issues that runs the gamut. There is no right or wrong to colors, but there are lots of opinions about them. It was not uncommon for a shopper to like everything about a mattress; brand, price, comfort, but choose not to buy it because of the color.

While it may seem illogical because the only time one would see the color would be when changing the sheets, it is the prerogative of the shopper to buy or not buy for whatever reason she chooses. If color is important to her, it’s important, end of story.

There is a reason that white and off white are called neutral colors; they rarely evoke strong emotions one way or another. And while retailers understood this, most shied away from light colored fabrics because they feared them getting dirty, both during shipping and especially once on the sales floor. With so many customers lying on them with dirty shoes, the floor models would  have to be replaced constantly and that would be too costly and too much trouble.

So what happened?

In the mid 90′s, manufacturing and shipping became more streamlined and efficient. Packaging methods improved and packaging materials became more durable. Instead of stockpiling inventory, mattresses could be made quickly, loaded directly onto delivery trucks and shipped with less handling and consequently less likelihood of soiling.

This inspired a few manufacturers to offer a model or two in white or neutral toned fabrics, and guess what? They sold. In fact they sold so well that within a few years, most any hint of color had vanished from mattresses. To curtail getting the floor models dirty, manufacturers began using colorful foot protectors to not only help keep them clean, but also to differentiate their brands by adding some color to the presentation.

In recent years there have been a number of attempts for brands to distinguish their models with more colorful fabrics, but as before, they didn’t sell as well as the neutral colored models.

What’s the REAL Reason?

One day, I asked my wife, if she were going to buy a mattress, what color would it be? Without hesitation, she said, “Oh, white or off white.” She explained, “White is clean and fresh looking, and you can’t see the color through the sheets — if I’m going to redecorate the bedroom it’s not going to be with the mattress. White goes with any color.” There you go.

I think she probably speaks for most women. Women make the majority of mattress buying decisions.  Guys wouldn’t care if a mattress had a neon paisley cover and the foundation had a black and orange plaid cover. We all know the husband refrain: “If she’s happy, I’m happy.”

White covers seem to make women happy. It’s as simple as that.

Sleep Well! You’ll thank me later.

Posted in: Mattress Industry, Shopping Tips
November 1, 2010 | Comments (1)

Two Things to Consider When Choosing a New Mattress

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When shopping for a new mattress, here are two things to consider to help find one that fits your needs and that you will be satisfied with.

What has your experience been with your current mattress?
What are your expectations for a new mattress?

Experience

Before going to a store to begin the selection process, take a look at your current mattress and determine its type (inner spring, foam, air, water, or futon) its style (firm, plush, pillow top) and its comfort level (hard, medium or soft).

Then answer these questions:

What prompted you to want a new mattress?
Try to determine if it is the mattress that has changed, something about your health or sleeping habits or both?

How well did you sleep on it for the first few years?
If you slept well at first, consider staying with a similar type and style. The more dramatic the difference the longer the adjustment period.

How old is the mattress?
If under five years, consider buying a better quality mattress.

Expectations

Now, take a few moments to consider what you expect from a new mattress. Having unrealistic expectations will most certainly lead to dissatisfaction.

Answer these questions:

How long do you expect a new mattress to last?
Warranties only cover defects. Even top quality mattresses may need to be replaced every five to seven years depending upon usage and body weight.

Would you be disappointed to see body impressions or indentations where you sleep on a new mattress?
The thicker and softer a mattress is, the deeper the body impressions may be because the upholstery layers are designed to conform to body weight.

If you have a back ache, do you expect a new mattress to fix it?
A comfortable supportive mattress may likely help an aching back by holding the spine in alignment and allowing the muscles to relax. But a new mattress won’t fix a “bad back.” Medical issues should be addressed by a doctor.

A Great Starting Point

Once you decide which mattress store to shop, try to find a mattress most similar to your current one’s type, style and comfort level for a reference point. If your experience on your current mattress was positive, consider not making too dramatic a change. It is a good idea to try other styles to see what your options are, but remember the old adage, “don’t fix what’s not broken.”

You Be the Judge

And finally, It’s important to seek a mattress based upon your own needs rather than someone else’s. My neighbor, after years of sleeping on a firm bed, decided to take a friend’s advice and buy a pillow top. It wasn’t long until she became unhappy with it.

Considering your experience and expectations will help you select a mattress that you will be happy with.

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