The connection between sleeping well and making the most of your life is undeniable. Anyone who feels well-rested and refreshed in the morning is going to have a better chance for a productive day, whether it be at work, school, or social activities. There are health factors which will lead to better rest: smoking and drinking alcohol disrupts sleep, as do long periods of inactivity. The heart needs to be active for it to be healthy in repose. The same goes for stress: spend your life worrying, and bad sleep and bad health will follow.

However, pairing a healthy lifestyle with a great place to sleep will help you avoid these problems. Numerous studies indicate that a quality mattress is often the most overlooked item when trying to solve sleep issues. Is it possible? Human beings are well-known for the inability to see what is right in front of us. If your mattress is old or simply not worthy of supporting you for one third of your life, it's time to trade up. Here are five things to look for when buying a new mattress:

1. The width and length of your mattress. Do you have enough space to get comfortable? This item obviously applies to your bed as well. If you and your partner feel crowded as a couple, it may be time for a bigger bed.

2. Comfort. Often the number one factor, it's essential in the case of mattresses. If you don't feel right on the mattress, keep looking. Don't think just because a mattress feels great, it will be bad for your back. It's just not true: mattress technology has allowed for the principles of comfort and support to go hand-in-hand. Go with the balance of comfort and firmness your body recommends.

3. Support. Keeping your back supported in the right places is required of any mattress. It needn't necessarily mean board-like firmness, yet any mattress where you can feel your back curving isn‘t providing enough support to get the job done. It should withstand your weight, yet give way just enough for total comfort.

4. Life-span. Like cars, cell phones, and television sets, mattresses have a finite life span. Check out the consumer guides that provide statistics on the longevity and consistency of your mattress. The last thing you want is to make an investment of time and money, only to go back on the hunt in a few years. Consider paying a little extra if it looks like that could mean significantly more years of high performance. Of course, make sure your mattress comes with a warranty protecting against manufacturing defects.

5. Overall value. Consider the expense of a mattress to be an investment in your health. As with healthcare providers, it's not a good place to shortchange yourself. Do your research beforehand and make sure if you go for a bargain, it's a sale on a trusted brand -- not a fair price for cheap materials. Sometimes you can get a deal if you're buying a box spring foundation at the same time.