We have all heard the warnings about DVT (deep-venous
thrombosis) when traveling on long haul flights. Cramped
conditions for hours on end with very little leg movement - yes
I've seen the in-flight videos demonstrating the exercises. Well
if these warnings concern you give a thought to astronauts!
They don't travel for hours in cramped conditions - they travel
for weeks. Now I know these people are held as super-heroes but
in the cold light of day they are only human and subject to the
same frailties as you and I, but of course they have technology
on their side.
Visco elastic material, now commonly known as memory foam, was
originally developed by NASA to improve seating and absorb
g-forces in spacecraft travel. Okay it maybe quite some time
before your favorite airline offers memory foam seating in
tourist class but you can still enjoy the benefits today.
Memory foam is designed to shape itself around any pressure
applied - it reacts to the pressure and subsequent heat to
absorb the pressure by spreading it across its surface. Now
apply this thinking to your mattress. Your body isn't flat
therefore when you sleep some body areas are more supported than
others. We have all woke up some morning feeling aches and pains
and simply booked it to a bad nights sleep - which of course is
probably right. But why? Picture yourself lying on your back -
most of the direct contact will be your head, shoulders, rump
and heels. Leaving your neck, lower back and to an extent your
legs unsupported. It isn't any better on your front, gravity
forces your lower back to arch even more and you can easily wake
up with a stiff neck and painful lower back.
Memory foam has the ability to mould itself around your bumps
and curves thus ensuring constant even support spread across
your whole body. Hey and you don't have to worry about sleeping
in the same position all the time - memory foam returns to its
original shape when the pressure is released - so if you move it
moves with you creating a unique combination of body-contouring
support and comfort. A memory foam mattress literally guarantees
a restful sleep.
Of course a restful sleep isn't the only benefit - you will soon
feel the benefit of reduced pressure on the spine and joints,
not to mention aiding good circulation - remember that's where
we came in - DVT.
An added bonus to a memory foam mattress is that it is naturally
hypoallergenic. Its surface structure offers little comfort to
your other regular sleeping partners - dust mites.
As my Irish friend says "and there's more" - those clever memory
foam guys haven't stopped at mattresses, heck no! These days you
can buy all sorts of things incorporating memory foam. Sleep
masks that contort to the shape of your face so that you don't
need to endure a tourniquet tight elastic band around the back
of your head just to block out the light. Memory foam slippers -
whoa! luxury - like floating on air. I believe even the sneaker
giants are looking at memory foam for your next pair of must
have trainers. Memory foam furniture - cushions, chairs and
sofas. Even Fido gets a look-in with his very own designer
luxury sleeping mat made from memory foam. Of course the bed
hasn't been forgotten in all this excitement apart from the
memory foam mattress you can get memory foam pillows, mattress
pads, and lots of other bits n pieces.
Okay but you only started reading this because your going on a
long haul flight - well don't forget your memory foam travel
pillow - its going to be a long flight and you may as well be
comfortable.
About the author:
Living in the UK, father of two and a full time webmaster, Dave
often writes reviews on household products.
