Buying a mattress

There are few things worse than hearing, "You look tired."

So, if the time is right, take matters into your own hands and trade in that lumpy bed for the mattress of your dreams. Since this can be a confounding process, I called in Cindy Wenger, vice president, specialty bedding for Sealy, for a little expert help. Here's the 411:

WHO Needs a New Bed: You, silly, if yours is worn out, sagging or uneven. Consider it a health, wellness and, if you're counting bags under your eyes, beauty investment.

WHAT Kind of Bed: There's the traditional inner-spring -- the kind we all probably grew up with -- and now there's specialty bedding. Variety being the spice of life, I suggest trying out different types of mattresses: you've got latex, gel beds, vico-elastic memory foam, and all-natural and organic beds made from soy, bamboo, wool and cotton. Try them all and choose from a bevy of beds.

WHEN Do You Need a New Bed: Typical mattresses are meant to last between five and 10 years, with some specialty beds going strong for up to 20 years. Bottom line: Mattresses vary widely by type, so know the warranty when you buy and stay aware of the comfort level.

WHERE Should You Buy It: Always, always try beds out in-store -- and a bedding-specific store, if possible. Such a store generally has more options, better customer service and fewer shoppers than a department store. Also, lie on each mattress for a solid 15 minutes. Once you've found the bed of your dreams, take note of specific model information and see if you can grab your mattress for a better price and/or with better options online. Look for free delivery and pickup of your old mattress and a strong warranty. Look out for steep restocking fees and small return windows.

WHY Buy a New Bed: Because -- let's face it -- you're probably like the many, many others out there who are enduring poor sleep quality. If you always sleep better in hotels, consistently wake up sore or have problems dropping off and staying asleep, you might want to consider getting a new mattress. Being well-rested can help to repair your body, control weight (bonus!), enhance alertness and memory, reduce stress and maintain a healthy heart.

HOW Much Should You Pay: That, my friend, is almost entirely up to you. Mattresses start anywhere from $200 and go up to the price of a pricey car (see Hastens, the Swedish bed maker).

I know that buying a mattress can seem like one big, confusing hassle. But, hopefully, I've left you feeling a little more knowledgeable.

(Helen Malani is the chief shopping expert for Shopzilla.com, an E.W. Scripps company, and the largest comparison shopping search engine on the Web. E-mail Helen at askhelen(at)shopzilla.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.net.)