And so to bed

If you’re suffering from interrupted sleep, consider changing your mattress or pillow to ensure you’ll head to the land of nod in seconds.

Sixty per cent of women don’t get a good night’s sleep, according to mattress, bed and pillow company Kaymed, and it could be because your mattress is too old or doesn’t suit you.

If you are tossing and turning and think you might need a new mattress you should ask yourself the following questions, says Kaymed. Do you wake up with stiffness, numbness or aches and pains? Have you had a better night’s sleep somewhere other than your own bed, for instance, in a hotel or friend’s guest room? Does your mattress show visible signs of overuse such as sagging or lumps?

As a guide to how a mattress and pillow work best, you should aim to be supported so that, when you are lying down you are in the same position as a person with good posture who is standing, and you should spend time testing out a mattress in the shop, says Kaymed.

"Lie down and imagine yourself asleep, relax and give yourself a couple of minutes to let your body tell you what’s comfortable," says a Kaymed spokesperson.

"Put a pillow under your head to achieve your normal sleeping posture. Test it with your partner: Are you both comfortable when the other partner tosses or turns? Imagine the effect night after night for years and be sure you are both happy."

And while in the past we thought firmer mattresses offered better support, apparently with today’s advacements, certain softer mattresses can give you as much, and sometimes better, support.

Plenty of companies offer a range of mattresses, such as Flanagans in Mount Merrion and Donegal who have in-store advisors; department stores such as Arnotts, Marks & Spencer, Littlewoods and Ikea, among many others.

BEDDY BUYS

Cost

Spend as much as you can afford. It is true, that the more you spend, the better the quality. Just think, that a bed is an investment to your health and well being, not just somewhere to lay your head.

Size

When choosing a bed, measure your existing bed at home so you know what size is most appropriate to you. And ensure you’ll be able to a) trasport it from the shop and, b) that it fits through your bedroom door onto the base.

Storage

Do you need extra storage? Most divan beds are available with drawers, although it costs a little more, it may well be worth it.

Support

A quality mattress and base should gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same position as good standing posture. When selecting a mattress, keep in mind that your body should be able to relax, with your spine supported in its natural curve.

Position it

Try the bed in all of the sleeping positions you tend to use, not only on your back, and try a selection of beds for comparison.

Durability

Like all products, a mattress and foundation will gradually wear out. That’s why you should re-evaluate your sleeping solutions regularly.