()– Your mattress is the most important purchase you will ever make. One-third of your life is spent in bed, and your health and wellbeing can be affected by how you sleep. Even the most experienced consumer can find it confusing to shop for a mattress. Here are seven things to avoid when looking for the right mattress.

1. Don’t buy too little. You should not buy a mattress that is less than a queen size, especially if you are sharing a bed. Healthy people move between 40 and 60 times per night and do lots of full-body rotations. Freedom of movement is essential for good sleep. A full-size mattress for example gives each partner the same width of a crib.

2. Not being brave enough to try. You don’t want to be too shy to try. It is up to you to choose the right mattress for you. It’s worth spending the time to really feel the mattress.

3. Confusion of firmness and support. There was a time when a mattress needed to provide sufficient support. You want your spine to remain in its natural alignment when you lay down. You can find a supportive mattress with varying levels of comfort in the upper layer, from very soft to extremely firm.

4. It is not worth reading reviews or asking for recommendations. Mattresses can be purchased at furniture stores, departmental stores, specialty shops, and online e-tailers. Refer to family and friends for recommendations.

5. Comparison shopping is a good idea. Comparison shopping can be frustrating because models names vary from one store to another.

6. Not asking about return policies. You won’t be able to test the mattress before you buy it online. Make sure you read all reviews and check the return and shipping policies. Also, make sure you have good customer service in case of a problem.

7. Assuming that the foam has been certified. You should verify that your mattress is certified by CertiPUR US. This certifies that the foam has met stringent standards for quality, emissions, durability and has been tested by accredited, independent testing laboratories.

On the website of the organization, you will find a list of companies and brands that are participating. www.certipur.us.

You can rest easily if you do your research before you begin mattress shopping.