How traveling can help you find the mattress of your dreams

Some things I love about travel: Trying new things, having conversations with people from different places and cultures, sampling unfamiliar foods … and then deciding what fresh ideas I want to bring home with me.

As a dreamer, I especially enjoy the opportunity to sample different beds, mattresses, and bedding. When I find a mattress or pillow that’s just right, I peek under the sheets or pillowcase to check the label, and take note for next time I’m in the market for new bedding.

After all, choosing a new mattress and pillow isn’t like shopping for a pair of pants. Buying a new bed requires a real commitment in time and money. It takes several nights or more to settle in and see whether a particular bed is a good fit, and whatever you decide, you’ll be living with your purchase for years to come.

Here are a few of my favorite tips for finding the bed and bedding of your dreams:

Time for a change? The Better Sleep Council recommends updating your mattress every 7-10 years. Another good way to determine when it’s time to make a change is to check in with how you sleep and how you feel when you wake up. After all, many factors determine how long a mattress will last from how much you weigh to how well you care for your mattress. The bottom line: If you sleep well and wake free of aches and pains, chances are your mattress is still serving you well.

Travel alert. If you’re not sleeping well and waking up to creaky joints at home, but you sleep like a baby and wake feeling spry when you sleep at a hotel or at a friend’s place, consider that your mattress and pillows at home might be contributing your sleepless nights.

A small change can go a long way. If you want to make a change, but aren’t ready to purchase a new mattress just yet, consider mattress toppers, buckwheat pillows, and other bed accessories that can help you settle in for a good rest.

Wishing you happy trails, and sweet dreams …

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This post is adapted from the forthcoming book, The Mindful Way to a Good Night’s Sleep, by Tzivia Gover, from Storey Publishing, Dec. 12, 2017.