Sleep in our house is currently very over-rated. Our poor old mattress has seen far better days and we’re just not getting the sleep we should be or need to be.

So we decided to do some research on the visco elastic foam mattress (also known as the memory foam mattress). We’d been advised that if we truly want to get the best night’s sleep possible, this was the way to go.

We prepared a list of outlets, braced ourselves and departed for the bedding stores with our goal to find out what was so special about this particular mattress. We were pleasantly surprised to find that most of the salespeople we spoke with, were actually quite knowledgeable and helpful.

So here’s what we found:

NASA originally developed the visco elastic foam substance for their astronauts, as it was able to cushion their body from the extreme g-force’s during the space shuttle’s takeoff and re-entry. (You’ve got to love NASA for their inventiveness in providing solutions.)

What is unique about memory foam is that it contours to your body and provides more or less support to your body depending on how much is required and where it is required. This in turn helps to allow your joints and muscles to completely relax, which your body rewards with a sounder, deeper sleep. People who suffer from back problems, rheumatism and arthritis can all benefit from sleeping on a visco elastic mattress.

Improved circulation is also a by product of sleeping on this type of mattress. Because your body is evenly supported, the blood flows without any restraint and you will definitely notice the difference when you get out of bed feeling much more refreshed and energetic than you usually are.

You may also hear some people refer to this mattress as an egg crate mattress pad. This is due to the pattern and structure of the foam which does definitely look like the inside of an egg carton. It can also be used as a topper on your existing mattress and you can roll them up for easy transportation if necessary. That means you can take it on vacation and still enjoy a good night’s sleep.

So if you disturb your partner at night when you’re sleeping due to lots of tossing and turning, there’s no need to worry anymore, because your movements are absorbed by the mattress which maintains the support no matter which way you turn. After each movement the memory foam reverts to its original state, thus eliminating the dreaded sagging mattress we’ve all had to suffer from time to time.

We discovered there are a number of different makes and models, and sizes for all beds, so I would suggest you do as we did and go and try them out for yourself. Your body will be forever thankful.