You’ve probably heard of a waterbed before, and you might have many questions about them. For instance, do waterbeds pop? Do they even make waterbeds anymore? And the most important question of all, are waterbeds comfortable? In today’s article, you're going to learn what waterbeds are and whether they’re good for you and your sleeping situation.

What is a waterbed?

Waterbeds are mattresses filled with water. With the older designs of water beds, you had to fill them with a garden hose. However, the newer designs have tubes known as “bladders” that you fill up, making the process much easier.

They’re not nearly as popular as they were in the late 70s and early 80s. There are probably many reasons waterbeds might have fallen out of popularity. They can be hard and expensive to maintain, they can leak (not pop) and they don't provide the best support.

Are waterbeds good for you?

Waterbed technology has advanced since its popular days in the 80s. However, other than the comfort they might bring, and the ability to control the temperature using a waterbed heater, they offer little to no benefits.

A lot of people might ask if waterbeds are good for your back. When you heat a waterbed, it could be soothing to some degree. The heat could increase blood flow, resulting in an increase in nutrients traveling to your body’s tissues, including your back.

It also contours your body because it’s made of water. This means pressure becomes evenly distributed amongst your body. This can potentially reduce the pressure on your joints, and even cause less strain and stress on the muscles that support your spine.

However, in saying all that, it’s important to realize these beds don't offer natural support. It can be easy to sink into the water and have your body go into a position that might throw off the alignment of your spine.

Do they still make waterbeds?

Although waterbeds can be hard to find nowadays, they’re still manufactured and people are still buying them. There are even hybrid mattresses that are designed with a combination of springs and water.

It’s up to you if you want to get a waterbed or not. They’re heating technology and ability to contour your body releasing pressure in several areas might make it an attractive choice. However, they can be expensive, high maintenance and they could actually cause more problems with your back.

Regardless if you sleep with a waterbed or not, you might struggle with sleep. Getting good sleep can help you be more productive, maintain a healthy weight and even keep your food cravings under control.

At BetterSleep you can access different sleeping techniques that will help you fall asleep faster and easier. Try BetterSleep for free today!