Why am I always so tired? It could be your bed.

Do you wake up tired even after sleeping for 8 hours? You might not need more sleep, it could be that you need a new bed. With hundreds of mattresses on the market, how can you tell which one is right for you? Here are 3 tips to keep in mind when buying a mattress:

1. Medium firmness is usually best.

If you’re not sure which firmness level is best for you, your best bet is a medium firmness mattress. If the mattress is too firm, it will create pressure points and cause pain in your hips and shoulders. If the mattress is too soft, it can lack support and create some low back pain. Medium firm mattress should have a good mix of support and comfort layers.

2. Only try 3 per day

Only try 3 mattresses per day to avoid getting overwhelmed or confused. Take your time. You want to make sure you’ve picked the right one for you.

3. Take advantage of the return policy

Most mattresses have return policies and will come and pick the mattresses. Use the return period to get used to the bed and determine if it is the right one for you. If it’s not, take it back. The average mattress will last about 6 years, make sure you are happy with the one you have.

Bonus tip:

If you are testing mattresses in a showroom, here is a good trick to determine if a mattress is the right one for you. If you lie down and you find that you have closed your eyes, that might be the bed for you.

If you want to know more about the different types of beds or have more questions about which one to get, join me for my presentation on sleep, mattresses and pillows. The event is February 22 at the Relax the Back in Encinitas. For more information or to RSVP for the event, go to tidewaterdc.com