When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, doctors and sleep experts agree on one thing: there is no single deciding factor which will guarantee sweet dreams after dark. There is a number of issues to consider if you are having sleep troubles. For example, have you been leading a sedentary lifestyle? Has your job been stressing you out excessively? Either one of these examples could lead to a poor sleep experience. However, one of the easiest solutions is also the most ignored: your mattress. The mattress -- what you sleep on every night, the main component of your bed -- can have a great impact on the quality of your slumber.

In sleep surveys taken all over the country, there have been surprising results. Almost everyone interviewed regarding sleep patterns said they believed the quality of one's mattress can help or hurt the chances of great sleep. Okay, that part makes sense. However, when asked what caused their own sleep problems, the highest number of respondents cited “stress” and “noisy surroundings,” leaving mattress issues way down on the list, even below “wrong room temperature.”

Granted, every survey taken tells us so much about our psychology. The human tendency toward denial is unmistakable. When it comes to sleep problems, people prefer to blame their boss or office deadlines rather than their own inactivity regarding their mattress. To back up the point, people who recently replaced a mattress were asked about the condition of the old mattress, now that they had the opportunity to compare. The verdict? Almost 50% declared their old mattress to have been in very bad condition.

Let's face it: when things get crazy at the office, it's going to wear on our minds all through the night. The important thing to remember is that while mental concerns (stress) can have an impact on the physical (rest), the reverse is also true. If you are getting ready to turn in for the night and hit an amazingly comfortable mattress, one that supports as well as massages your back and spine, chances are many of cares will quickly vanish. Your body instinctively alerts your mind that comfort has been achieved and it's time for your whole being to follow suit.

Of course, a good mattress does not a good bed make. Be aware of the relationship between your mattress and box spring, of the height and width of your bed, and the bed frame itself. Each of these factors is important. By doing a little bit of research, you should be able to pin down the best combination and start sleeping better immediately.

Your diet and exercise regimen should never be ignored, of course. When you are eating well and exercising on a regular basis, your improved circulation and heart health will naturally make for many nights of pleasant dreams. The same goes for your ability to get your work finished at the office and leave your worries there when you head home for the evening. When you combine these steps with a high quality mattress, you're leave your sleep troubles behind for good.