Time for a new matress

March is National Bed Month so if you think it's time to replace your tired and sagging mattress with something a little more comfortable, then take a look at our top Modern & Mature tips on how to achieve that perfect night's sleep:

Considering we spend one third of our lives snuggled under our duvets, many of us give bed buying very little thought. And when you think what mattresses and beds have to put up with, it's incredible they last as long as they do. We toss and turn up 70 times a night, produce about half a pint of sweat and grow an inch during our sleep. A good bed providing the right kind of comfort and support is absolutely key in making sure we wake refreshed and ready to face whatever the day has to throw at us.

The benefits of replacing an old mattress are many. You are likely to fall asleep more quickly, wake up less and gain more than an hour's sleep each night.

This month is the 17th annual National Bed Month awareness event, organised by The Sleep Council. It aims to encourage people to appreciate how important their bed is and think of ways they could improve their sleep. With memory foam and latex now vying with traditional bed materials, it's harder than ever for buyers to choose the right frame and mattress for them.

Thanks to The Sleep Council, help is at hand with a new edition of their popular bed-buying advice booklet. Jessica Alexander, from The Sleep Council, explains: "We can't tell people specifically which bed to buy - it hinges around comfort which is entirely subjective; but what we can do - and what our new Bed Buyers Guide sets out to do - is to give them the information they need to make a more informed decision."

She added: "It's surprising how much has changed, with new materials and new styles considerably improving and expanding customer choice in the market over the past five years."

As we all come in different shapes and sizes clearly we all need different beds. And, particularly for those with niggling back pain, the only way to get what is right is to 'test drive' a number of models and pick out the one that is most comfortable - regardless of the label or price. Every year millions of adults in the UK - an estimated 60 per cent of the population according to non-sprung mattress company Relaxsan - suffer from bouts of back pain. And often, the cause can be the state of your bed.

Chiropractors are regularly called on by patients to advise them on their choice of bed and many also help manufacturers design their frames and mattresses. Robert Badman, of Relaxsan beds, reveals: "It's not just those who suffer from bad backs who need to ensure their beds are up to scratch; having a comfortable, supportive bed is something everyone needs to help prevent future pain.

"Becoming aware of good posture, lifting heavy things correctly and the support of your mattress should all be a priority before you are a sufferer. The right mattress can significantly contribute to having a good night's sleep and waking up feeling rested and refreshed; and sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause sleeplessness, back pain and overall aches and pains. For people with a back condition, sleep can aggravate the pain if the mattress isn't a good fit."

Often, medium-firm beds with proper cushioning are better for a good night's sleep than orthopaedic or harder beds. An orthopaedic bed is one that is extra firm. Cost doesn't determine the firmness but a higher price will mean more comfort, luxury and added features such as adjustability.

Robert Thomas, head of clinic at the European School of Osteopathy, believes the right bed is vital in preventing back pain and ensuring a good night's sleep. "Millions of people in Britain suffer from back problems but sometimes the answer is as simple as changing your mattress.

"The spine has a natural, double S-shape and when forced in an unnatural position by an unsupportive bed this can cause pain and discomfort. There are several preventative measures sufferers can take to help reduce or even eliminate back problems and ensuring the correct sleeping position for the spine would certainly be one of them."

Most mattresses have a lifespan of less than 10 years yet Brits hold onto theirs for an average of 17 years - putting up with sagging foam and squeaky springs. A bed has to be soft enough to fill in the gap under your lower back but not so soft that it sags completely under your weight. To make sure you get the best bed for your needs, you have to do your research carefully and take the time to try a variety of beds out. Narrow your choice down to two or three beds and then spend plenty of time lying on these in your normal sleeping position.

If you are buying a bed with a partner then do try out the mattress with them. Don't be embarrassed if you want to spend a good deal of time on a bed in a showroom. Casting British inhibitions aside, you should feel able to languish in a showroom bed for far longer than a cursory fifty seconds, if you want.

The following tip may not be for everybody but some experts encourage people to spend anywhere between half and hour an an hour on a bed you will potentially be buying. Many mattresses need to be turned regularly.

As the best quality ones are the heaviest, you could struggle lifting them and will have to consider those which will not need regular turning. More recently, foam mattresses have become very popular thanks to technological advances. The best foam mattresses can cost as much as a new bed and are made of heat-sensitive material which moulds to your body shape.

Pressure relieving mattresses produced by Tempur start off from about £600 and are favoured by stars including Charlie Dimmock, Jennie Bond, Jane Seymour and Sir Paul McCartney. If you can't quite stretch to that price tag, then Tempur also make overlays for mattresses as well as pillows. If you and your loved one have very different firmness preferences then a zip and link bed are a good option.

For more information on Tempur pillows and mattresses, contact www.tempur.co.uk

To find out more about Relaxsan products log onto www.relaxsan.com

To get a copy of the Bed Buyers Guide, visit The Sleep Council's website at www.sleepcouncil.com or alternatively telephone 0800 018 7923.

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REASONS WHY YOU NEED A BIGGER BED FROM THE SLEEP COUNCIL: Because a standard double bed (135cm/4ft 6in) gives each person just 2ft 3in of space - less than a baby in a cot. Now how squeezed is that?

Ergonomic studies show that couples sleep better in a bigger bed - and yet before trials only 15% said they would buy a larger than standard bed. After a trial 50% said they would.

Because you spend a third of your life in bed - by the time we are 50 we'll each have spent some 16 years in bed.

Because you want to keep up with Jones's! Although two-thirds of us still opt for the standard size, larger beds are becoming ever more popular: over 30% of double divan and bedstead sales are now 5ft (king size) or larger.

Because the average person tosses and turns some 60 to 70 times a night - so you want to put as much space between you and your mate as possible to reduce the disturbance factor.

TOP TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD BED:
Decide your priorities and concerns in advance. Are they price, storage, size or is it about turning the mattress, getting in and out of bed or a specific health issue?

Try a selection of beds for comparison before you buy.

Buy for correct support and comfort for your weight and build.

Lie down in your normal sleeping position and make some turns, too. Wear comfortable clothing and remove any outdoor gear.

A bed is a mattress and a base working together - don't consider them in isolation.

Think big - larger beds are more comfortable.

You get what you pay for - both in product and service - so spend as much as you can afford.

For a free copy of The Sleep Council's Bed Buyers Guide, telephone 0800 0187923 or visit the web site at www.sleepcouncil.com