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A memory foam mattress is just what the doctor ordered for the hectic lives we lead today! What is a Memory Foam Mattress?

A memory foam mattress is made from polyurethane and other chemicals that increase its viscosity level. This increases its density level. The foam, thus, has the characteristic of becoming more firm in cool temperatures and softer in warm temperatures. Depending on the density, a memory foam mattress reacts to body heat and moulds itself according to the shape of the body within a few minutes. A low density memory foam mattress will mould faster into the shape of the body.

Originally developed for the NASA space program, memory foam is a comfort material that compresses easily when exposed to body weight and temperature. A mattress made with visco elastic polyurethane foam can be of varying density levels, depending on the chemicals used in its composition.

Apart from being known as memory foam, this temperature sensitive material is also called visco-elastic foam, pressure relieving foam, slow release foam and slow recovery foam.

Why does a Memory Foam Mattress Compress?

The cells in a visco elastic memory foam mattress deforms when weight is applied. When compressed, memory foam cells transfer air pressure to adjoining cells. Thus, pressure is distributed evenly throughout the memory foam, reducing the pressure that is felt on the compressed part.

How is a Memory Foam Mattress Different from a Spring Mattress?

Traditional spring mattresses compress, but spring back to their original shape immediately. When weight is applied to a traditional spring mattress, it pushes back with an equal force against the body. This creates pressure points, leading to discomfort as well as aches and pains. Since pressure spreads evenly, a mould is formed around the body, thereby reducing pressure points.

The basic difference is in the quality of sleep. A night spent on a memory foam mattress means adequate rest and relaxation and waking up completely refreshed in the morning.

Does one Memory Foam Mattress Differ from Another?

Not all temperature sensitive mattresses are alike. The quality of the mattress could differ greatly, depending on the quality of the foam, which in turn depends on the density. This creates a vast difference in the feel between different memory foam mattresses.

The density of the foam may make one mattress too soft and another too hard.

Filed under: Foam Mattress