If you have been frequently waking up with back pains and a bad mood, it’s probably your mattress to blame.

In general, we spend as much as a third of our lives in bed so it’s only right that we invest in the right mattress. It should be able to give you both comfort and support so your spine, ligaments and muscles can relax during the only time your body gets to relax.

So, should you get a new mattress? Check out these telltale signs:

• If your mattress is already sagging, it’s high time you give it a rest. Over time, springs can break down, fibers can wear out and foams can get softer. These things can mean lack of support to your most vulnerable parts.
• The presence of lumps can mean uneven density and this can lead to uncomfortable pressure points.
• Ideally, you should replace your mattress every 7 to 10 years. If yours is more than that, you’re compromising your sleep.
• The presence of more pains and aches than you had before you went to bed is a clear sign you already need a replacement.
• Most mattresses can accumulate allergens, particularly mold, dust mites and mildew. If you find yourself sneezing whenever you get close to your bed, consider assessing your mattress.

See Also: 10 Things You Never Knew About Bed Bugs

What Is The Best Mattress?

The best mattress is the one that will work best for your body type. As your body has its own contours and needs, you have to know exactly what your options are. There several types of mattresses you can choose from.

Here are some of them:

Memory Foam

The memory foam, particularly the visco elastic foam, is conceptualized by NASA scientists. It’s patterned from the material that was supposed to absorb the effects of G forces during the take-off process.

Compared with other mattresses, this one is special in that it follows the contour of the sleeper’s body. It helps distribute weight to eliminate pressure points. This makes memory foam great for those who suffer from back problems and other body aches.

There are different formulations when it comes to memory foams. There’s the standard memory foam that is temperature sensitive. There’s also the plant-based memory foam which is more breathable and has a faster response. The last type is the gel-infused type which is commonly marketed as a cooler.

Latex Mattress

Latex mattresses are more expensive than other types because of their materials. Despite the cost, this type has one of the simplest constructions. They are highly durable and can last for over 15 years. They feature low-pressure support and can contour to your body’s shape without the heat or chemical odors. latex mattress provide great bounce, responsiveness and cooling, too.

Waterbed

Waterbeds can provide average pain relief. They are designed to mimic conventional beds but with low heat and odor complaints.

There are two main types of waterbeds: the hard-sided and soft-sided. Both feature a water chamber which can either be waveless or free flow.

Airbed

Airbeds are nothing like the ones you use for camping. This type comes with an adjustable air chamber which works as its support system. The good thing about airbeds is that you can adjust their firmness according to your body’s needs.

Specialty foam mattress

This type is a bit unique in that it uses one or more types of foams. It can either be latex, polyurethane, memory or gel. Specialty foam mattresses come in different densities and shapes to ensure you get both comfort and support. If you are wondering what specialty foam mattresses look like, check out this two in one mattress.

How To Choose A Mattress Properly

Know how old your mattress is

In general, if your mattress is already 8 years old or older, you should consider getting a new one. Take note that this doesn’t apply to all types of mattresses since there are some that can extend beyond that time.

If you are unsure about how long your mattress type should last, you should decide based on your sleeping patterns. If you’re restless or you find yourself frequently waking up in the middle of the night, just go buy a new one.

Determine what type of mattress you’ll need

The type of mattress you’ll need will depend on your preference, body type and sleeping positions. Consider the following:

• If you sleep your side, you’ll need a mattress with lots of pressure relief. It should be able to support your body weight and conform to the shape of your body.
• If you are a stomach sleeper, choose a mattress with a firm top surface. It’s the best one for support.
• In case you like sleeping on your back, invest in a mattress that can provide support while keeping your spine in its proper alignment.
• If you tend to toss and turn at night, go for an innerspring mattress with latex, memory foam or pocketed coils. These materials are great for isolating motions, like when you don’t want to disturb your partner with your movements.
• If you like a lot of the features of the different mattresses and can’t make up your mind, pick a hybrid style mattress. This type can provide the motion isolation feature of memory foams and the buoyancy of a mattress with an innerspring core.
• For allergies, stick with mattresses that are resistant to dust mites and molds. Pick foam and latex since they have inherent antimicrobial properties. If you choose an innerspring mattress, you can enclose it in an allergen-resistant cover to make sure you don’t wake up sneezing at night.

See Also: Have a Child with Skin Sensitivities? Here’s How to Deal with it

Set your budget

Mattresses don’t go cheap, particularly those in the luxury end of the market. The good thing is that there are lots of options now that will enable you to find the right mattress at the right price.

In choosing, keep in mind that expensive doesn’t always have to mean better, but don’t go ultra cheap, too. Since the quality of your sleep will depend on your bed, make sure you don’t skimp on your mattress.

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Flying overseas, particularly if it’s your first time, can be a nerve-wracking experience.

Regardless of which country you are traveling to, there are things you can do and prepare to make the trip not only hassle-free but safe, too. To give you an idea, here’s the best international travel checklist you’ll ever need.

Tip #1 Check Your Passport And Other Travel Documents

Before making any travel plans, you must first know where your passport is. Although you don’t necessarily have to memorize every detail (but that could sure help), you should, at least, check its expiration date.

Your passport should be valid for at least six months before you travel overseas. There are countries that deny travelers if their passports expire in less than six months so check beforehand. If you get stuck for some reason in one of those countries, you’d want to make sure they’ll let you get away with no problems. If possible, try to renew your passport about 9 months prior to its expiration date.

Tip #2 Know How You’ll Get Cash

One of the easiest ways to get money is through an ATM. However, making withdrawals from ATMs that are outside the network of your US bank can mean very steep fees. To cut the cost, you can withdraw a certain amount of money from the ATM at the airport so you’ll only have to pay once for the fees.

This, however, isn’t really advisable since you’ll be carrying a big sum of cash while traveling. There’s also the chance that you’ll be left with too much local currency after your trip. A checking account with no minimum balance is a better option.

Before you actually leave, you should also give your bank a call to tell them which country you’re going to. If your bank sees any unusual foreign charges without any prior notice, it can put your cards on hold which can be quite annoying if you’re in the middle of your shopping.

Tip #3 Prepare Your Devices

Electrical outlets aren’t the same in all countries so make sure you have adapters that can work with foreign sockets. Apart from that, you should also know the strength of the electrical current of the country you are going to and make sure that it’s compatible with your devices.

You can invest in a transformer or just leave any incompatible devices at home. For convenience, you should also pack extra batteries and portable chargers.

Tip #4 Pack Your Things

Packing is probably one of the most tedious things you need to do before going out for a trip. Aside from what to carry, you also need to know how much you can bring.

If your trip is short, consider packing lightly. Invest in the best carry on duffel bags for traveling, especially if your trip involves switching airports or walking in lots of terrains. They are easy to carry and can fit so many items inside.

Once you have selected your luggage, it’s time to pack your things. Organization isn’t the only thing you need to consider when packing; accessibility matters, too. Remember, airport authorities will still inspect your bag.

Instead of folding, roll your clothes along the length of your luggage. When they are organized in rows, they are easier to check and inspect. It’s a good way to maximize space, too.

Liquids, aerosols, and gels that measure beyond 3.4 oz should be packed in your checked luggage. If the total volume of your liquids and gels is below that weight, store them in clear, zip top bags. Tools, sharp objects and sports equipment go into the same luggage.

The first layer of your luggage should be the heavier items. Spread them evenly to distribute the weight. Your shoes, for example, should be at the bottom of your bag. Pack as many socks as you can in your shoes.

Your jeans and sweaters go over your shoes. Roll and pack them in tightly to prevent them from getting undone while traveling. For fragile items, place them in the middle of your bag, on top of the heavier rolled items.

The next layer should be the lighter clothes, like your shirts and undergarments. Over this layer, place your folded items so you can easily get them out and hang them upon arrival. To prevent wrinkling, you can put them inside a dry cleaner bag.

For additional items, like your belt, fit them in any available nook. For your toiletry bag, you can place them on top of your folder layer.

See Also: How to Pack Your Suitcase Like George Clooney

Tip #5 Prep Your Home For Your Vacation

There are a million things that can happen at home when you’re on a vacation, so it’s only right that you keep your home security as part of your international travel checklist. Before you actually leave the house and go straight to the airport, make sure you’ve secured your property.

Avoid advertising that you’ll be out of the house, especially on your social media accounts. Burglars and criminals can use the Internet to spy on potential victims.

As much as possible, make it look like there’s someone at home. Unoccupied houses are vulnerable to attacks since they pose less threat of confrontation.

Do not leave your spare keys at your front door or under your door mat. Instead, leave them with a trusted relative or consider upgrading to smart locks. They are convenient to have whether you’re a frequent traveler or you’re away most of the time for work.

Don’t close the blinds in every room. Just keep things as they normally are.

Put the newspaper and mail delivery on hold while you are gone. If they pile up, it’s a sure sign that no one is at home.

If your house is monitored by a security company, don’t forget to notify them. Arm your alarms, too and make sure that every device is working. Check and replace batteries as necessary.

Unplug all small appliances. They can still suck up power even when not in use.

You can leave your lights on to deter burglars. However, lights that are constantly turned on won’t trick any attackers. Instead, leave your lights on a timer and set them to turn on and off at the same time each night.

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