Can a mattress REALLY help you have better sex? From keeping you cool to the perfect bounce, how your bed could hold the key to your love life

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We all know that a good mattress will help you sleep soundly, but what about everything else you get up to between the sheets?

Sari Cooper, certified sex therapist and director of The Center for Love and Sex, refers to the mattress as our 'sexual home', since the vast majority of all sex happens here.

And while we can't promise you that a great mattress will lead to smoking-hot, passionate love-making, it is a good place to start. But what exactly is it that makes a particular mattress conducive to good sex?

'Sexual home': Since the vast majority of all the sex we have occurs on a mattress, it's not surprising that the bed you choose can impact the quality of your love-making

1. It’s all in the bounce

Before picking a mattress, Sari says that it is important to have an understanding of exactly how much support your body needs during sex.

'Some people have good muscle tone, are very strong, and on the bigger side, and may need more give in their mattress,' she explains.

'While others have weaker muscle tone, and too much bounce would actually not help... to support their body or their partner's in certain positions.'

She adds: 'If a person is into super-physical sex that includes a lot of position changes, they might consider a bed that is firmer in order to support these transitions more easily.'

A memory foam mattress can seem like the obvious choice if you want your mattress to adapt to your body, as this will help evenly distribute your body weight.

But Jamie Diamonstein, co-founder of Leesa mattresses and the company's in-house mattress expert, suggests that couples should choose a mattress that also has a 'lack of motion transfer'.

He explains: 'There’s little to no motion transfer in the Leesa mattress so you won’t be able to feel your partner get in and out of the bed. There is also no sinking feeling attributable to most memory foam mattresses.' 

Why choose a Leesa mattress?

• It's convenient - Your mattress will arrive directly at your door compressed in a box
• It's affordable - Prices starts at just $525  
• It's risk-free - All mattresses come with a 100-night trial
• It's local - The mattresses are 100 per cent American-made
• It helps others - Leesa donates one mattress to a shelter for every ten they sell. 
• It helps the environment - Leesa also plants one tree for every mattress sold, pledging to plant one million by 2025

Sleep well: Leesa mattresses are designed to provide more than just comfort

 

2. Appearances count

There’s no quicker way to kill passion than with dirty sheets or an old mattress. 

‘I tell clients that their bedroom should be an erotically inspired space,’ says Sari. ‘This includes how the bed looks.

‘Is it inviting [and has a] smooth, even texture to inspire sensuality and relaxation, or is it messy and lumpy because the mattress is old and has a bad odor?’  

3. Durability matters 

Just as an old mattress can be unattractive and unhygienic, one that's of a low quality can wear out quickly and become uncomfortable.

So you'll be doing your love life a favor by picking a mattress that won't sag or become prematurely lumpy. 

A mattress can have a lifespan from less than five years to over a decade, depending on the materials it is constructed from.  

Leesa mattresses now feature Avena foam as an alternative to latex foam. This is designed to have the same feel, but better durability - perfect if you're going to be using your bed for more than just sleeping.

4. Keeping cool

Although we all want to have hot sex, the last thing any of us need is to end up a sweaty, sticky mess, and your mattress can have a lot to answer for when it comes to keeping you cool and comfortable.

'Some mattress materials breathe more or less,' Sari explains. If [you] are naturally always hot and sweat a lot, a mattress that is made of more natural fibers might be a better bet.'

Alternatively, Avena foam could again be the solution. Jamie points to the Leesa mattress’ two-inch hole-punch Avena layer, which is strategically placed on top of the memory foam.

'This allows for constant airflow, providing a cool feel,' he says.

5. More sleep = more sex 

Being tired, irritable and strung out rarely leaves you in the mood for sex. But, even more troubling, tiredness can affect your performance and enjoyment.

‘If a person is sleep-deprived their system becomes fatigued,’ explains Sari. ‘If the sleepless nights add up, [you're] at further risk of a much lowered libido and an inability to maintain an erection or achieve an orgasm.’ 

Cool and comfortable: Couples should choose a mattress with a premium construction 

So one of the simplest ways to improve your sex life is to ensure you're getting enough shut-eye, and that the sleep you do get is of a good quality.

Which is again where your mattress comes in. Jamie says that it is best to choose a mattress with a 'premium construction' to help you sleep better throughout the night.

He points out that the Leesa mattress features 'the universal adaptive feel, contouring to all body shapes, sizes and sleeping styles'.

He adds: 'The mattress consists of three layers of performance foam that provide cooling, pressure relief and core support.'

With Valentine's Day approaching, now is the perfect time to upgrade your bed - and your sex life - with a Leesa mattress.