Débora Fernandes, director of the National Institute for the Study of Rest, teaches you step by step that can save your physical and mental health: for a good sleep
Did you know that one of your villains could be yours? ? So it is. According to orthopedist Dr. Carlos Cedano, choosing the wrong bed and pillow can cause many problems, and not just postural problems. “Sleeping in the wrong position or on a surface that is not recommended according to your weight and height can lead to joint problems, pain in the neck, legs and shoulders, wear and tear that can lead to, for example, herniated discs in chronic cases, as well as heartburn. (due to poor head position and reflux) and apnea, due to the person not being well accommodated for rest.”
Furthermore, several nights of poor sleep or poor quality sleep (which is not restorative) can cause other problems in the medium and long term, including influencing memory and cognitive perception. “Sleeping on your side is the correct position and the ideal is for the pillow to maintain alignment between the head and spine, preventing the head from being raised or lowered”, teaches the doctor.
But the problem doesn’t just exist when going to : Choosing a good mattress is a challenge for most people. “The majority of the population is unaware of the information that it is necessary to change the mattress every 5 years, for example. Still, couples make mistakes when choosing because they don’t know how to calculate the best material for the mattress, relying only on comfort information. However, there is a science to this, there are studies and evidence that can help consumers not regret the purchase or even not suffer from a bad choice later”, explains Débora Fernandes, Executive Director of INER – National Institute of Rest Studies – and Pro-Foam.
“Currently, competition in the mattress industry is very high, there are more than 300 mattress companies established in the country, and the main aspect of competitiveness between them is the fight for the lowest price, with quality taking second place for many of these companies. Therefore, it is essential that consumers acquire more knowledge about how to choose an ideal mattress”, he states.
To the portal Young Panthe executive who is known as the female voice of the Sleep Ecosystem, Débora Fernandes listed five tips with a didactic step by step so that you only have to worry about counting sheep.
Consult the biotype table
Used to this day as a reference when it comes to choosing the best mattress, the biotype table was the basis for the development of the first technical standard for the manufacture of foam mattresses in Brazil. Developed in 1984 by doctors and technicians who x-rayed and examined people lying on mattresses, the study indicates the recommended foam density for each person according to their weight and height. “When buying a mattress for a couple, you need to think about the weight density and height of the largest person, in general, the man. In these cases, the woman will choose the composition according to the feeling of comfort offered”, teaches Débora. The biotype table is available on the INER website and is very simple, just access and cross-reference the data.
Define between foam or springs
For those looking for firmer support, the ideal mattress is foam. The spring mattress is recommended for those who move a lot during their sleep, in this case the spring mattress acts as equipment that drives and assists the movement of the body. “Most people today opt for a mixture of foam and springs, which guarantees durability, safety and comfort in an adequate way”.
Check the density of the support layer
There are different densities of foam and each one is ideal for supporting a different body type. “For those who choose a spring mattress, as important as choosing the type of spring is also defining the density of the support layer. This is the layer of foam that goes just above the springs in the structural assembly of the mattresses.”
Set the degree of comfort (soft, intermediate or firm)
This is an individual choice and the recommendation is to opt for the comfort that provides the best sensation.
Demand attested quality
Seeking a certificate is essential to purchasing a quality product. “The Pró-Espuma Certificate is a voluntary certification, which is based on the standard established by INER, recognized as the highest standard nationally for the mattress market, adding value to the certification by INMETRO, the regulatory body”, informs .
