Sleeping Myths Explained | Cooling Mattress Pros and Cons

Cooling mattresses have been a popular piece of furniture in recent years. Those who long for the cool side of their pillow or tend to run hot at night flock to this type of mattress when making bedroom upgrades. However, it can be challenging to determine what claims are rooted in truth and myth.

Here are some common sleeping myths and the pros and cons of using a cooling mattress.

Pro: Cooling Temperature for Better Sleep

There’s a myth that warmer temperatures promote better sleep. Those who always feel cold certainly think so, and the idea of a warm cozy bed is welcoming. However, the body tends to cool down during sleep, and a lower ambient room temperature promotes deeper higher-quality rest. As deep sleep is essential for hormonal regulation, muscular recovery, immunity, and cognition, this is important.

It’s important to note that a cooling mattress isn’t like sleeping on an ice pack. Instead, the gel helps prevent body heat absorption, which prevents sleepers from getting overheated. This mattress option is a great choice for those who need to crank the air conditioning to sleep or wake up in the morning with the blankets kicked off.

Pro: Body Conforming Support and Comfort

There’s a lot of misconception about whether soft or hard mattresses are better for the body. The truth is that it could be both or neither, depending on your unique physical makeup. Soft mattresses tend to offer better support for side sleepers, while a firm mattress is good for back sleepers. However, if the mattress is too firm, it can cause more harm than good.

Gel cooling mattresses offer the best of both worlds. The gel conforms to the body, offering a blend of support and comfort for both back and side sleepers. This type of mattress operates similarly to memory foam without the risk of getting overheated.

Pro: Reduced Motion Transfer

Another common myth about sleep is how you should handle periods of restlessness or wakefulness. Many people try to stay in bed and fall back asleep. However, that’s not always the best option, especially for insomniacs.

The experts recommend that if you’re awake for more than 20 minutes, you should get up and engage in a calming activity, such as reading or listening to music. Try to avoid screens during this time, as the light can confuse your internal rhythms further.

Using a cooling gel mattress helps reduce motion transfer. If you or your partner need to get up through the evening, you can rest assured that you won’t disturb the other person.

Cons: Diminishing Cooling Effects

Some consumers who have purchased lower quality cooling mattresses have complained about diminishing cooling effects. This effect could be a combination of low-quality materials and sleepers acclimatizing to the bed.

While it’s a myth that exercising at night will disrupt sleep, it could be making you feel warmer before going to bed. Additionally, hormonal changes can alter how we perceive ambient temperatures. Prevent this effect by purchasing a high-quality bed and noting any changes in your routine.

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Con: Higher Cost

Cooling gel mattresses tend to cost more than traditional mattresses, which isn’t ideal for budget shoppers. However, you get what you pay for, and the value of a cooling mattress is often worth the investment.

Furthermore, you may have heard that mattresses should be replaced every ten years. When you purchase a high-quality gel mattress, you get a longer lifespan of at least 15 years before you need to replace it.

Cons: Not Comfortable for Frequent Movers

Another popular sleeping myth is that those who sleep soundly don’t move much in their sleep. This statement is untrue. Plenty of people move in their sleep but still achieve a deep level of restfulness and aren’t aware of their movements.

Gel beds aren’t great for people who move a lot in their sleep. It takes time for the gel to adapt to your body contours and fill in gaps once you’ve moved. If you’re someone who rolls around or repositions yourself in your sleep, the gel mattress can create strange lumps and divots until the gel resets. Many people aren’t aware of how much they move until they get one of these mattresses.

Understanding the pros and cons of gel mattresses and how they impact one’s sleep is an essential first step for making a purchasing decision. Take some time to compare the options and determine which cooling mattress is right for you.