Blog 6: Soft & Firm

Firm & Soft: Understanding Your Body Needs

When embarking on the journey of mattress shopping, many couples find themselves in a common scenario. After exhaustive online research, they visit multiple stores and try out various mattresses, yet struggle to find one that satisfies both partners comfort preferences. The resulting compromise might lead to initial contentment for one but dissatisfaction for the other. This situation often stems from a lack of awareness regarding the distinct physiological differences between men and women and their impact on mattress selection. 

Nature has endowed men and women with different body structures. Men typically possess less pronounced curves compared to women. Consequently, men often lean toward firmer sleep surfaces, gravitating toward a level, stable feel. However, they generally avoid excessively soft mattresses, as these could cause them to sink into a hollow, leading to a curved spine and potential lower back discomfort.

On the other hand, women often prefer softer sleep surfaces that allow their hips and shoulders to sink in comfortably. A mattress that lacks sufficient softness in these areas could result in the hips, shoulders, and even the abdominal region pressing against the mattress surface. This misalignment of the body can lead to discomfort, and tingling in the arms and hands due to compromised circulation, as well as lower back and hip aches. Women’s bodies tend to be more sensitive to sleep surface variations than men’s. 

Despite individual preferences, our natural inclination to change positions during the night makes the ideal mattress for specific sleeping styles (side, stomach, or back) less straightforward. Zoning, an essential consideration, accommodates the body natural contours, particularly for women. Zoning involves adjusting mattress firmness in specific areas. For example, a mattress might be firmer in the middle to support the heavier hip region, and softer beneath the shoulders, near the pillow area. The aim is to ensure that both hip and shoulder sink equally, promoting a level spine alignment—a medically endorsed form of support. 

Remarkably, a woman might test a non-zoned, softer mattress followed by a firmer, zoned one and perceive the latter as softer due to the superior support it offers. This phenomenon is especially noticeable among curvier women who appreciate the benefits of a well-zoned mattress. On the other hand, slimmer individuals often prefer a slightly firmer surface and less pronounced zoning. This can be achieved by adding a non-zoned topper to the mattress. Zoning is also advantageous for men with broad shoulders or those recovering from neck or shoulder injuries. 

Notably, the perception of what is “soft” or “firm” varies from person to person. Therefore, descriptions like “comfortable/plush” and “firm/super firm” are used on bedding websites, underscoring the subjectivity of comfort levels. Starting with a medium option is a reasonable approach, yet the ultimate judge of mattress suitability is your own body. When adopting a new mattress, allow up to three weeks for your body to adjust and acclimate to the new feel. 

For discerning shoppers, it’s essential to note that Zenna latex mattresses boast an impressive lifespan of 25 to 30 years. In contrast, mattresses containing foam components tend to experience density loss and reduced support over time, often necessitating replacement within a decade. A valuable tip from the experts at Zenna is to verify whether the mattress you’re considering features proper zoning, as this can significantly impact your sleep quality and overall comfort. 

In conclusion, the search for the perfect mattress involves recognising and respecting the unique needs of different body types. Men and women differ in their physical requirements, and zoning plays a pivotal role in achieving optimal comfort and spinal alignment. As you navigate the world of mattress shopping, remember that personal comfort is subjective, and your body’s response is the ultimate guide. Give your new mattress the time it needs to prove its suitability, and prioritise proper zoning for a sleep surface that truly supports your well-being.


Blog 5: Why Choose Bio Cotton

Why Choose Bio Cotton: An Excellent Choice

Bio cotton stands out as an excellent choice for several reasons. Firstly, the production process of bio cotton involves cultivation techniques that avoid the use of toxic materials. This means that no non-biodegradable chemicals, synthetic fertilisers, or pesticides are utilised. As a result, the soil and groundwater remain free from contamination caused by these harmful substances. 

Another advantage of bio cotton is its natural origin. It is not genetically modified (GMO) and is grown from a resilient variety of cotton. This variety does not require the use of strong synthetic pesticides and fertilisers to thrive. By avoiding the dependence on such chemicals, the soils fertility is preserved, and the cotton plants can maintain stability over an extended period. 

For cotton farmers, cultivating bio cotton eliminates the need to take loans for purchasing chemicals. Often, when farmers borrow money for chemicals, their earnings from a harvest go back to the creditor, creating a never-ending cycle of financial insufficiency. However, with bio cotton, each purchase of a product made from it ensures that farmers receive a steady and fair income. This not only improves their financial situation but also validates their self-worth. Farmers can finally experience the rewards of their hard work. This positive impact on the economic chain is what makes bio cotton an excellent choice for consumers. Not only is bio cotton an exceptional material for clothing, but it also contributes to improving the lives of those involved in its production.

The Best Mattress For Back Pain

The Best Bed For Back Pain​

In our expert opinion, we believe that there is no single “best” mattress specifically designed for back pain sufferers. However, if your goal is to alleviate or minimize back pain during and after sleep, it is essential to understand the potential causes and identify key factors that can offer relief. Let’s delve into these aspects and discuss what to consider when seeking a mattress that can provide the desired relief.

We have had many folks approach us over many years who suffer from compacted discs, bursitis, semi paralysed and other physical issues. No specific mattress is designed for these issues although there are mattresses that have names with a medical connotation. Every person with issues such as these is unique and would have a comfort level that could change daily and would require individual remedy. In many of these cases, their mattress would be used for longer during the day than the average person thus the first requirement would be a good quality and in particular a durable sleep product. Zenna latex mattresses offer 25 – 30 years of life in general whereas most innerspring mattresses would need to be replaced after 10 years. A Zenna mattress is an average of 75 density and has a firmer side and when flipped a softer side, when combined with a Zenna topper which is 65 density (medium soft) one can manipulate four different combinations each producing a different feel. 1) Topper on top of the soft side of the mattress. 2) Topper on top of the firm side of the mattress. 3) Mattress on top of the topper with the soft side facing up. 4) Mattress on top of the topper with the firm side facing up. For those with physical challenges, these combinations offer choices as time goes on and their comfort level changes.

Most folks who develop back aches and or shoulder discomfort without knowing the cause very often seek medical help and thereafter share the most common reason for these aches – their current mattress needs to be replaced.

Men do not have curves and most prefer a firmer feel together with an even sleeping surface. Most men will sleep on almost anything so long as it is not too soft. A common cause of lower back pain in men is the result of an innerspring mattress where the foam has lost its density and the sleeper is now in a hollow and their spine is bowed, the only remedy really is a new mattress.

Ladies will also have lower back pain with a mattress where the foam has lost its density, but they also endure discomfort where the mattress is too firm. Ladies have curves and on a too-firm mattress there is no cushioning for their hips and shoulders to sink into, their tummy then ends up on the sleeping surface and again they endure lower back aches as well as possible shoulder pain, numbness or pins and needles. A simple remedy is a softer topper or in the worst-case scenario a replacement mattress. For ladies in particular a mattress that is properly zoned is a must in our opinion, zoning means the mattress will be firmer in the hip area and softer in the shoulder area, this allows for the hip and shoulder to sink evenly into the mattress and keeps the spine level – medically this is deemed to be a healthy support.

Nature has provided for us to toss and turn and turn while we sleep, for healthy blood circulation. For those in very senior years we would recommend not to use memory foam products, memory foam has a “cocooning” effect, and one sinks into this, for seniors to try and roll over it is almost like trying to roll uphill and this can hamper blood circulation.

In all the above situations it really pays when researching mattresses to get advice from true mattress professionals. The Zenna latex mattress concept and design have been developed by two main team members who come from a genuine professional mattress manufacturing background with many years of manufacturing overseas as well as working with sleep laboratories. There are several so-called mattress experts online but none of them has actual experience or knowledge from a manufacturing or development point, these so-called mattress experts take commissions and will guide prospective customers to the products they make money on.

Zenna latex mattresses and toppers offer the best support, zoning, and longevity, are mould and mildew-resistant, dust-mite-resistant, breathable, are made with the natural and sustainable sap from the rubber tree and are good for the planet.