Sleep may feel like the ultimate act of rest, but inside your brain and body, it’s a nightly masterpiece of repair, reorganisation, and renewal. While we spend roughly one-third of our lives asleep, modern life, with its blue-light glow, late-night scrolling, and endless to-do lists, has made quality rest harder to come by. Photo: courtesy of Hypnos
Two often-overlooked factors, your mattress and your sleep environment, play a decisive role in how restorative your rest really is. Richard Hayes, managing director of TR Hayes, the largest supplier of high-quality furniture and mattresses in the area, spoke with leading sleep experts from Hypnos, Vispring, Harrison Spinks, and TEMPUR® to learn more about getting a good night’s rest.
TR Hayes offers mattresses from leading brands and is one of the few retailers to stock almost the entire Vispring range.
The importance of quality sleep
According to the UK’s Sleep Council, one in three adults suffers from poor sleep, and research from the NHS links chronic sleep deprivation to higher risks of heart disease, obesity, and depression.
“Most adults need between seven and nine hours each night to feel and function their best, while children, teenagers, and babies require more to support growth and development,” Michael Galloway from award-winning mattress manufacturer Hypnos says.
“When we miss out on quality sleep, our mood and concentration dip, reaction time slows, and our ability to cope with stress is reduced. Even worse, this can lead to a negative cycle, where stress and anxiety make it harder to rest, which can deepen those feelings. And, for children and teenagers, the impact of missing out on quality sleep is even greater,” he says.
Emma Sharp, education and advocacy manager from TEMPUR®, a leading mattress brand that creates a range of mattresses and pillows born from NASA technology, adds that people should view sleep as a “factory reset.”
“If you don’t power down at night, rest properly and restart your day in the correct way, then the many things we juggle through the day will start to fall,” Emma explains, adding that there are four stages of sleep falling into two sections, Non-REM Sleep and REM Sleep.
“Each stage helps our bodies rest and rejuvenate through the night, to enable us to be the best version of ourselves day after day.”
The key to a quality night’s sleep
But if you want better sleep, the solution isn’t just about going to bed earlier, according to the experts. Rather, the key to getting the required rest each night is a highly quality mattress.
“The right mattress will support your spine in a neutral position, relieve pressure points, and keep your body comfortably aligned throughout the night,” Michael from Hypnos explains. “If your mattress is too soft, too firm, or worn out, your body may struggle to relax, leading to tossing, turning, and poor-quality rest. A well-crafted mattress works in harmony with your body, allowing your muscles to relax fully and your joints to be supported. This helps you fall asleep more easily, stay asleep longer, and wake without discomfort.”
Clare Schifano, global marketing director at sleep specialist Vispring, echoes this sentiment.
“Scientific evidence demonstrates that settling for a mattress ill-suited to your physical characteristics and sleeping habits can lead to significant health complications.”
She adds: “Your bed is arguably the most important piece of furniture you will buy as it affects your quality of sleep and, in turn, your overall health and wellness. It is therefore recommended you buy the best mattress you can afford, and one which is made to stand the test of time will offer a lifetime of great sleep whilst also being a better choice for the planet.”
Choosing the right mattress
So, how do you choose the right mattress?
Jimmy Caines from mattress specialists Harrison Spinks suggests starting the process by making a list of what you like and don’t like about your current mattress. Key things to consider are firmness and support, materials, construction, and durability.
All the experts agreed that finding the right mattress requires careful consideration and time.
“The best way to know if a mattress is right is to try it in person,” Jimmy says. “Lie down in your usual sleep position for around 10 minutes and check whether your shoulders, hips, and knees feel supported. Couples should also consider motion isolation to minimise disturbances.”
Mattresses come in a variety of tensions, from soft to extra firm. However, all the sleep experts noted that, contrary to popular myth, a firm mattress is not always best. Instead, you should be guided by your weight, ensuring that the mattress correctly supports you to stay comfortably in one position
for longer.
Jimmy from Harrison Spinks notes that different sleeping positions need different levels of support.
“Side sleepers need more joint support than other sleepers, so their mattress must allow the hips and shoulders to sink slightly while keeping the spine aligned. On the other hand, back sleepers require more support for their back and spine, so a slightly thicker, firmer mattress is usually best. While front sleepers generally benefit from firmer support to keep their hips from sinking too far into the mattress.”
Look for high-quality materials
All the sleep experts agreed that the key is good quality materials, whether they be all natural, such as wool and cotton, or scientifically researched, like TEMPUR® Material, an advanced viscoelastic material born from NASA technology and certified by the Space Foundation.
Clare from Vispring notes that mattresses made from natural materials help to keep your body cool in summer and warm in winter.
“Natural materials such as wool, cotton, and horsehair are tried and tested in bed making and have been used for centuries. These fibres are known to have properties that can contribute to a good night’s sleep, including breathability and temperature regulation; cool in summer and warm in winter, natural spring for resilience and support, and importantly, softness for comfort.”
Additionally, Michael from Hypnos notes that natural fibres like wool are not only comfortable year-round, but also wick away moisture, are chemical-free, and naturally repel dust mites, helping you to sleep more comfortably.
By contrast TEMPUR® Material provides proven pressure relief that gives your body total comfort and support. It can help to reduce tossing and turning and absorbs motion from your partner, so you are less likely to disturb one another.
An optimised sleep environment
But, beyond choosing the right mattress, what else can we do to ensure a good night’s sleep? The experts all agree that you must optimise your environment
for sleep.
“A bedroom is a space that should radiate a soothing and calm atmosphere. Select soft lighting, calming colours, and think about your bed accessories, such as your pillows and bedding,” Clare from Vispring says.
A good quality pillow is a must the sleep experts note, helping to maintain spinal alignment and supporting the head and neck so muscles can relax.
“The thing you need to remember is that your head is the weight of an average bowling ball, and it’s carried around by your neck and shoulders all day,” says Emma from TEMPUR®. “Through the night, all those muscles need to relax and repair themselves. So, it’s very important that when you find the mattress that’s right for you, you choose the correct pillow for your sleeping position and body frame.”
All agreed that choosing the right pillow depends on your sleeping position, with side sleepers often needing more loft, while back and front sleepers will likely prefer a pillow that isn’t too high.
Bedding also influences comfort and temperature.
“Natural fibres, such as cotton or wool, are breathable and help regulate heat, keeping you comfortable through the night,” Michael from Hypnos explains.
Jimmy from Harrison Spinks adds that keeping your bedroom cool and well-ventilated can also improve sleep quality. Additionally, he notes that keeping your mattress and bedding clean so it’s dust-free can also help you to breathe clearly while sleeping.
“Reduce disturbances from noise and light, which can be achieved with blackout curtains, an eye mask, or soft background sounds to create a calmer atmosphere.”
Finally, Emma from TEMPUR® noted that air purity is another consideration. “Dry or moist air purity can be a problem, and that could be what is keeping you awake or waking you up in the night.”
Ready to get your best night’s sleep? TR Hayes is Bath’s largest furniture store with a handpicked selection of the finest mattresses from leading brands, including TEMPUR®, Harrison Spinks, Vispring, and Hypnos. Visit TR Hayes’s showroom on London Street or visit trhayes.co.uk