Get the seven year itch!

That’s the way to seventh heaven according to The Sleep Council whose all-new interactive website launching for this year’s National Bed Month (March) lists the Seven Deadly Sins of bed-buying.

“Buy the right bed and you could be buying into night after night of blissful sleep,” says bed expert Jessica Alexander. “Anyone who has ever slept in a really comfortable or really dreadful old bed will know how it can affect the quality of sleep.”

And just as we change cars or sofas on a regular basis, so we should buy a new bed.

“We recommend buying a new bed every seven to 10 years,” says Jessica, “but people should be looking out for signs of wear and tear long before that. Certainly by the time a bed is seven years old, it could be past its best in terms of comfort and support.”

So ignore the Seven Deadly Sins of bed buying at your peril!

• Not doing any homework before buying a bed. There’s as many different beds as there are sandwich fillings so work out what kind of bed you want first (divan or bedstead; springs or foam; adjustable or static; with or without storage etc). Finding out is easy: simply visit www.sleepcouncil.com and complete the online questionnaire for a personalised profile of the type of bed to look for; or request a copy of the indispensable Bed Buyers Guide from 0800 018 7923.
• Buying a bed without first testing it out – you wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive – and you spend as much if not more time in your bed!
• Spending as little as you can get away with instead of as much as you can afford. You get what you pay for (think of it like this: over seven years a £700 bed costs less than 4p a night. What can you buy these days for 4p!)
• Buying a standard 4’6” (135cm) double bed instead of a roomy five footer that ensures less partner-disrupted sleep.
• Forgetting a BEDroom is exactly that. A place to rest, relax and sleep and not a room packed with sleep distracting gadgets and TVs.
• Not taking care of your bed – it’s hardly high maintenance so follow the manufacturer’s care instructions to make the most of it.
• Ignoring the seven year itch – even the best of beds will not retain the same levels of comfort as the years go by – it deteriorates gradually and you and your support and comfort needs change, too. So don’t ignore the warning signs (dips, roll-together and neck or back ache etc) – invest in a new bed before your sleep quality starts to suffer.

For further advice on buying a new bed, visit The Sleep Council’s web site at www.sleepcouncil.com where you can download or request a copy of the Bed Buyers Guide which will tell you much more about how to choose the best bed. You can also work out your own individual bed profile using the interactive My Bed Profile feature. The Bed Buyers Guide can also be requested by phone on 0800 018 7923.