How To Find The Perfect Mattress
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man sewing a mattress(Photo by Dave Massey)

Sleeping well is an important part of your overall health. A new mattress could be the key.

Getting a good night's sleep is often easier said than done, but a good mattress will help you get six to eight hours of quality snooze time. Stop daydreaming about that elusive shut-eye, and review these tips on how to buy the best mattress for you.

Don't fret about the price

More expensive doesn't necessarily mean a better night's sleep.

"If the least expensive [mattress] is the most comfortable, then that's the best bed for you," says David Phillips, marketing manager of The Original Mattress Factory in Cleveland. Their popular orthopedic queen-size mattress and box spring sells for $699.

Larry May, owner of May & Company, a family-owned mattress business in Indianapolis, says his most popular queen-sized set, the Heavenly Comfort with memory foam, costs just under $2,000.

Listen to your body

Replace a mattress when it starts impeding your sleep, experts say.

"A lot of places are going to give you a specific deadline, but the fact is your body will tell you when it needs something different," says Bobby Cleveland, sales executive at Verlo Mattress Factory in Greenfield, Wisconsin. "Most people keep a mattress between six and 15 years."

Lay down and give it a test

"It's all about your personal preferences, in order to determine what's right," May says. "It's whatever feels good."

May suggests lying down for at least 10 minutes to gauge your comfort level. Also, be sure you understand a store's return or exchange policy and specifically ask about any restocking fees.

Take care of the mattress

Regardless of the type of mattress, upkeep is important. Invest in a decent mattress protector and don't forget to rotate it every 60 days.

If you have a two-sided mattress, give it a flip at the same time to increase its longevity.

Invest in a solid bed frame

A sturdy frame is necessary to hold up the bed, which includes a center support.

"It prevents the dip in the middle," Phillips says. "Make sure there's a rail going across the middle and a leg going down to the floor -- not just slats across the frame."

Soften up a bit

The biggest mistake is buying a mattress that's too hard, Cleveland says.

"A lot of people think a firmer mattress is more supportive, but nothing is further from the truth," he says. "A softer mattress is going to be better -- it cushions and supports your hips, shoulders and back."

This post originally ran on AngiesList.com and is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post and Angie's List on the topic of sleep. The series aims to educate readers about the dangers of sleep deprivation. Angie's List is here to help improve your home, offering more than 700 types of services for your family. For more information about Angie's List, visit AngiesList.com.

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