Can't sleep? It might not be stress: it could just be the bed

WE'VE all been there: staring at the ceiling, tossing and turning, calculating exactly how many hours of sleep we'll get if we nod off right now.

We've tried everything, counting sheep, listening to soothing music, thinking about watching paint dry. Nothing works. You're simply too stressed to sleep, right? Wrong, your problem could actually be your bed.

Every person from every possible walk of life, from new parents and stressed businessmen to restless athletes and nervous students, has experienced that seemingly never-ending night of fitful, at best, sleep. Everyone has experienced it more than once and everyone will experience it again at some point in the future, probably countless times.

A lack of peaceful sleep is often put down to stress; "Oh, I've too much on my mind to sleep properly", people often say. In what is supposed to be our recovery downtime, the brain ticks and whirs as we become concerned, even obsessed, with all manner of issues. From life-changing decisions to utterly trivial matters, sometimes our minds simply cannot seem to shake these thoughts into the dark.

In actual fact, a poor sleep pattern could have nothing to do with stress, and everything to do with your environment and, in particular, the bed you sleep in. Beds come in all shapes and sizes and, considering the importance of a good night's sleep, it's crazy that more time and effort is not often dedicated to choosing the right one.

One of the most common ailments people suffer from is some form or another of back pain; from minor discomfort to chronic, crippling difficulties. These complaints could well be eased with the acquisition of the right mattress for your bed.

Most people spend at least seven hours a day on a mattress, meaning that finding the right one for your needs is crucial. One of the most common features of poor mattresses is a lack of back support which will consequently cause back pain for the unsuspecting sleeper and can even result in back realignment. It is therefore well worth taking the time and effort to find the most comfortable and suitable mattress available.

A good quality mattress is usually seven to 18 inches deep and possesses a good number of supportive spring coils. These coils allow the mattress to support the back, whilst simultaneously adjusting to the natural curves and alignment of the spine.

In order to purchase the perfect mattress, it is best to visit a showroom to test a varied range. Trying the firmest on offer followed by the softest available will give you two good extremes from which to compare the rest. It is also advisable to sleep on a contour pillow to avoid neck strain and to limit the number of pillows you use for the same reason. A pillow between your knees will help keep your hips in line and avoid the onset of lower back pain.

If you seek an unconventional solution, there are also water and airbed alternatives. Waterbeds may have a therapeutic effect and the heat could keep your back more limber during sleep, providing the water level is correct. When you consider the thought and finance that goes into so many aspects of our lives, coupled with the fact that good rest is crucial to happiness and wellbeing, creating the right sleeping environment is crucial. After all, can you really put a value on a good night of rest? Put simply, a decent kip is priceless.