A good night’s rest is key to good health and wellbeing. Sleeping on the correct mattress, including its size, is half the battle won when it comes to getting a decent night’s sleep.
As a once-off purchase, most people do not consider the state of their bed until the backaches become unbearable.
Only then will they go shopping for a new bed, and very few people will actually measure their bedroom or take into account changed circumstances that may require a different size and type of bed.
We will look at mattress sizes and discuss the importance of considering your changed circumstances so you can be better prepared to improve your sleep environment.
You will notice that South African mattresses do not exceed 2 meters or 200cm / 78.7in in length, while the US caters for taller people with lengths of up to 13.5cm / 5.31in longer on the California King size bed.
U.S Mattress Sizes and Dimensions Chart Mattress Size Dimensions in Inches Dimensions in Centimeters
Smaller, more affordable homes are being built that limit the size of living spaces throughout modern homes.
Competition for space resembles a war zone in urban areas.
Cheap affordable housing units are now being developed in many middle-class urban areas to meet the demands of ever-increasing population migration to these residential areas.
People’s circumstances constantly change as well. In many cases, families will move to smaller homes to meet the rising costs associated with homeownership and rental agreements.
Where you were once the proud owner of a king-size bed with more than enough room to sleep in any position you liked, you now have to consider a smaller bed because your new home wasn’t built for king-sized beds. What to do?
Moving down a size or two to a queen-sized bed that is the most popular size across the globe just doesn’t cut it for your size. You really don’t want to sleep with your feet dangling over the bottom of your bed, nor do you want your head pressing against the headboard.
This is a dilemma that many people face, and some accept that they will just have to make do with the space they have until their fortune turns. In the meantime, your quality of sleep has been compromised, which may lead to added medical bills for chiropractor sessions to deal with joint pains that could easily have been avoided with the right-sized bed and mattress type.
The right size mattress is one that allows you to rest your head on a pillow and still have a bit of room beyond your feet when lying straight on your back.
You should have at least about 6” or 15 cm between your feet and the end of the mattress, so if your bedding is tucked in at the bottom and sides, it will not apply pressure on your feet when lying on your back.
Sleeping on your side with your legs slightly bent in a relaxed fetal position or first aid recovery position is the most common sleep posture. With this type of posture, the length of your bed may seem inconsequential as you hardly ever stretch out to your full length.
A good example is if you have a pet sleeping at your feet, you will want to move your leg into the area that your pet has settled into.
The same applies if you know your mattress is too short for you; you will want to stretch out to your full length.
To complement the quality sleep you are after, you should make a further investment in good quality, breathable bedding that will contribute to your well-being. One without the other pretty much becomes a futile exercise.
A mattress must not be too soft or too firm. Yes, it must be soft and comfortable, but it must still be firm enough to offer support.
It must be able to mold to the contours of your body without fully giving in to added weight placement. Think of a water bed that isn’t filled to the correct capacity and how it will give in to your body weight as the water is displaced?
If a mattress is too soft, your spine alignment will suffer, and waking up with a backache will be the recurring result.
Pillows also affect your spine alignment, and you may wake up with neck and shoulder pains if your pillow does not compliment your natural spinal alignment.
Fortunately, most mattress companies have a return policy, so you will have a week or two to test your new purchase.
Mattress technology is fairly advanced, and much has been done to create a comfortable sleeping platform. The choices are endless, but there are some name brands that stand out above the rest.
The best thing is to do a bit of research on types of mattresses that are designed for a person of your build. It might be a good idea to have a chat with a chiropractor to get a few tips on what type of mattress will give you a better night’s rest.
A good sleep environment includes the right size bed with a mattress that promotes spinal alignment, a pillow to round off your spinal alignment where your ears, shoulders, and hips are all aligned, the right bedding that regulates your sleep temperature, and a large enough bedroom that is well ventilated.
Your bedroom must be a place that invites you in with calming aesthetics that immediately make you feel relaxed. It is important to take care of the mind just like the body is taken care of.
Sleep disorders are common, and many of them can be treated by simply having a bedroom makeover.
Bodyweight and state of health change with age. Snoring may have never been an issue but may have recently become an irritation for your partner.
Your work environment or lack of time and opportunity to maintain the standard of exercise you were accustomed to all play a part in your quality of sleep.
Changing circumstances have an impact on how well you sleep. To further enhance or promote quality sleep, you may want to look into aromatherapy as a way to help keep your airway clear and to work on your mind-body connection that helps to promote better sleep.
Creating the optimum sleep environment depends on many factors, and each factor in its own right cannot be compromised without actually compromising the quality of sleep you get.
Quality sleep translates to a better quality of life. This article touches on some considerations that may help you improve your overall quality of sleep and will definitely add value to your enjoyment of life itself.
The following are the most common bed sizes in South Africa:
It's worth noting that some manufacturers in South Africa may produce beds in slightly different sizes, so it's always best to double-check the exact dimensions before making a purchase.
This is the largest standard bed size in South Africa and is commonly referred to as a "King" or "Eastern King" bed.
It provides ample space for two people to sleep comfortably without disturbing each other.
However, it's important to note that some manufacturers may produce beds in slightly different sizes, so it's always best to double-check the exact dimensions before making a purchase.
A double bed is sometimes referred to as a complete bed or a standard bed.
It is a popular size for couples who prefer to sleep close together but do not need as much sleeping space as a queen or king-size bed.
However, it's important to note that some manufacturers may produce beds in slightly different sizes, so it's always best to double-check the exact dimensions before purchasing.
A queen-size bed is a popular choice for couples who prefer a bit more sleeping space than a double bed provides.
It is also a good option for single sleepers who like stretching out at night. .
A king-size bed provides more space for sleeping and is a good option for couples who prefer extra space, taller individuals, or those who prefer to sleep with pets or children.
However, a queen-size bed may be a more practical option for smaller bedrooms or those who prefer a slightly smaller bed.
A double bed is also full-size, typically measuring 54 inches wide by 75 inches long. On the other hand, a queen size bed measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long.
In terms of sleeping space, a queen size bed provides more space than a double bed, making it more comfortable for couples or individuals who like to have extra space while they sleep.
Double beds are best suited for single sleepers or smaller rooms with limited space.
It's important to note that bed sizes can vary by manufacturer and country, so it's always best to check the specific measurements of a bed before purchasing it to ensure it meets your needs.
A double bed typically measures 54 inches wide by 75 inches long, meaning each person would have about 27 inches of width to sleep on.
While this may be enough space for some individuals, others may find it uncomfortable or cramped.
A double bed may be better suited for smaller rooms with limited space or individuals who prefer to sleep alone.
If you plan to share a bed with a partner and want more space to sleep, a queen-size bed may be a better option as it provides an additional 6 inches of width and 5 inches of length compared to a double bed.
However, a king-size bed is generally more significant than a queen-size bed.
A standard king-size bed typically measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, while a standard queen-size bed measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long.
So, if "double king" refers to a bed larger than a standard king-size bed, it would be bigger than a queen-size bed.
Bed sizes can vary depending on the country and region, so it's always best to check the specific dimensions when comparing different bed sizes.
This is slightly smaller than a standard full-size bed in the United States, which is typically 54 inches (137 cm) wide by 75 inches (191 cm) long.
It's important to note that there can be slight variations in the size of beds depending on the manufacturer or specific model. Hence, double-checking the dimensions is always a good idea before purchasing a bed.
The standard dimensions for a double bed in South Africa are 137 cm wide by 188 cm long.
This is slightly smaller than a standard full-size bed in the United States, typically 54 inches (137 cm) wide by 75 inches (191 cm) long.
It's important to note that there can be slight variations in the size of beds depending on the manufacturer or specific model.
Hence, double-checking the dimensions is always a good idea before purchasing a bed.
