Wool Mattress Pad

Lack of sleep can be particularly irksome and cause further related problems, which may affect you in a broad range of day-to-day situations. Sleep deprivation can cause a number of very serious and life-changing implications such as increased susceptibility to heart problems, higher risk of diabetes and memory loss. Sleep deprivation also brings to the fore a series of less dangerous, yet very tangible issues including general irritability, persistent yawning and slower reaction times.


With this in mind, it makes sense that we should go to certain lengths to guarantee that we get a good nights sleep, and prepare ourselves effectively for whatever life throws at us. We can all do a number of small things to reduce the likelihood of sleep deprivation, such as scheduling adequate sleeping time or lowering our nightly intake of caffeine. Here though, I’m going to look at the potential benefits of using a wool mattress pad to enhance the quality of your sleep.


Mattress pads sit on top of your mattress, and are also often referred to as mattress toppers. However, there is a distinction between the two, as mattress toppers are designed specifically for comfort, whereas mattress pads can be designed for comfort, but are also used for hygienic or more specific orthopaedic purposes. Mattress pads add a degree of softness to your mattress and have been shown to limit the aggravations caused by aching joints. Mattress pads are also known to add to the life expectancy of your mattress so could possibly be a cost effective purchase.


One of the advantages of mattress pads is that they offer support for your spine, and can relieve forms of back pain to an extent. Woollen pads aren’t the most beneficial type of pad in this respect, though they can still provide better support than mattresses alone. If back support is what you’re looking for from your pad, it would perhaps make more sense to opt for a pad made from latex or memory foam, both of which are known to alleviate pain. Woollen mattress pads are harder than other pads though, so could be slightly more supportive for heavier individuals.


Wool in particular has some advantages over other materials. For example, wool is very good at absorbing moisture from your body, which will help you to sleep with greater ease. Conveniently, wool also dries out fairly rapidly, which prevents allergens from settling in. This is great for people that suffer from sleep-harming allergies, and for some people this factor alone will justify the purchase of a woollen mattress pad.


A further benefit of woollen mattress pads is that wool is a useful natural insulator, and will help to keep you warm on cold nights. This natural quality also helps to keep you cooler on hot nights as the wool will maintain a heat similar to body temperature. Woollen mattress pads are therefore rather useful for all seasons.


Before you consider buying a mattress pad, you should probably be aware of alternatives and their attributes. The most recently conceived mainstream alternative is memory foam, which is seen to be revolutionary in enabling a good nights sleep, as it moulds around the body for comfort. There are also many perceived orthopaedic advantages of using memory foam, and it’s usually accepted that memory foam pads offer better spinal support than woollen pads. However, memory foam isn’t as good at absorbing moisture as wool, and many people feel that this leads to a less relaxing night. Also, it’s been reported that some people dislike the smell of memory foam, and this is something that you should know before purchasing this type of mattress pad.


Another common alternative is feather based mattress pads. Feather based mattress pads are generally enjoyed by those that use them, though the feathers have an irritating tendency to settle into clumps, leading to negative effects on sleeping posture if you fail to shake the pad out regularly. Feathers are also known to cause some people to have allergic reactions, so again think twice before investing in this type of mattress pad.


A final alternative that I’ll mention here is cotton. Cotton is a popular material for mattress pads, possibly due to the fact that cotton shares the same hypoallergenic qualities as wool. Cotton pads, like woollen pads, are low-tech but serve their purpose well, and are a recommendable alternative.


With this information in mind, you may now wish to invest in a mattress pad. Whilst each type of pad varies in effectiveness, and each pad has different pros and cons, most people will benefit from any form of mattress pad. Before buying one, carefully consider what it is exactly that you’re looking for and what you want from it. Be mindful of your needs for back support, your allergies and other personal preferences. With a little research and common sense, there’s a good chance that you’ll be satisfied with your purchase.