Cheap Mattress Alternatives

How to Upgrade Your Bed on a Budget

Consider these bedding fixes before investing in a cheap mattress that won't last or deliver the type of support you need for a healthy night's sleep. Even a small cash outlay for an inexpensive mattress may not be worth the low price in the short term.

Sleep affects nearly everything about your quality of life, particularly things that have financial consequences. How well you sleep affects your job performance and even your future medical status.

Investing in a quality mattress is important to optimize your everyday life. Yet it may not be financially viable for a while.

Therefore, before you buy a cheap mattress, which will likely be poorly constructed and uncomfortable, try some of these budget-friendly techniques to upgrade your existing bed.

Cheap Fix #1: Raise Your Head

People sleep better when their head is resting at the proper elevation for healthy blood flow. A properly elevated head reduces nasal congestion, symptoms of sleep apnea, snoring, eye puffiness, and headaches. This fix is yours for the price of an extra pillow.

Cheap Fix #2: Prop Up Your Knees

People sometimes have trouble sleeping flat on their backs, as this position creates strain in the lower back. If you sleep on your back, you may find yourself tossing and turning at night, rolling onto your side, and then waking up because your arm fell asleep.

Placing a pillow under your knees and calves changes the alignment of the lower back, helping it lie flat against the mattress, rather than in a strained arch.

If you regularly wake up with a stiff lower back, this cheap fix can help you sleep better at night without swapping your mattress.

Cheap Fix #3: Pay Attention to Other Factors

It's not always your mattress getting in the way of a good night's rest. Consider these factors that you can proactively manage for better sleep.

Body temperature regulation: Some people get too cold at night, and have trouble falling asleep. Add a good blanket or down comforter to your bedding or wear thicker pajamas. Conversely, some people have trouble falling asleep when it's too warm. If this is the case, adjust bed clothes, bedding and thermostat settings accordingly.

Lack of airflow: If you sleep with the door and the window closed, your bedroom may become stuffy after a few hours. A stuffy room can cause discomfort and wake you up. You burn through a lot of oxygen in eight hours, so make sure your bedroom has enough airflow.

Noise and light: Do you have noisy neighbors or kids? Do you have distracting lights in your room? Eliminating these factors will also help you sleep better.

Healthy sleep habits: There are also specific behaviors you can do to promote a good nights rest. These include:

Establishing a regular sleep schedule where you go to sleep and awaken at a consistent time each day
Ensuring you get 7 - 9 hours of sleep each night
Engaging in calming activities before going to sleep
Maintaining good eating habits and regular exercise

For more specifics, click here: Establishing Healthy Sleeping Habits.

There's more to the quality of your sleep than the price of your mattress. It's worthwhile, from both a financial and a health perspective, to troubleshoot your sleep issues by considering some less expensive factors before shelling out funds for a new, expensive mattress.