Getting a good night’s sleep can feel like an uphill battle. Searching for the ideal sleep tools has made memory foam products popular.

We love memory foam because it shapes itself to our bodies to fit our contours, absorbing our weight and distributing it evenly for a comfortable night’s sleep.

There are different levels of memory foam used in sleep products. Yana Sleep products use a premium memory foam that will lull you into a dreamy sleep.

What is memory foam?

Memory foam’s ability to shape to our body has made its use popular in sleep products, but what is memory foam?

Memory foam, or viscoelastic polyurethane foam, is an open-cell structure that allows air to flow through it, giving it its unique feel and capacity to absorb impact and distribute weight evenly.

This unique material molds to our curves in response to body heat and pressure. It also springs back to its original form after pressure is released. 

The open cell structure forms a network that allows air to flow through the foam, helping it absorb weight and distribute it evenly.

What is memory foam? - A Brief History 

We now understand that it is a material that molds to our body, but what is the history of memory foam?

Memory foam has its origins in our space program because of a NASA mission. It was the brainchild of Charles Yost, a visionary aeronautical engineer in Asheville, N.C.

He helped develop a recovery system for the Apollo command module in 1962. Four years later, he was assigned to design airline seats that would improve comfort on long flights and enhance impact protection in case of an accident. 

The flexible foam material he created was perfect for conforming to the body, and its ability to spring back to its original shape made it the ideal material.

Yost called it Tempur foam; others referred to it as “slow spring back foam,” but it became widely known as memory foam.

This new technology was introduced in the 1980s. In 1991, Tempur-Pedic created the first memory foam mattress, starting its widespread use in sleep products and mattresses.

How memory foam works

Memory foam consists mainly of polyurethane with additional chemicals to increase its viscosity and density.

This low-resilience foam has bubbles or open cells that create a consistency in which air can move through it. 

This higher-density memory foam softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mold to the body to distribute weight evenly, then recovers to its original form quickly after use.

Types of memory foam

There are three types of memory foam:

  • Traditional: This type is made from petroleum-based products known for their ability to conform to the body’s shape.

  • Gel: Gel memory foam incorporates gel particles to help regulate body temperature and improve the foam’s ability to breathe, making it a cooler option.

  • Plant-based: This type of memory foam uses plant oils such as soy or castor oil to replace some of the petroleum-based components. This means it’s more breathable, more responsive, and eco-friendlier compared to traditional memory foam.

Benefits of memory foam

Memory foam has become popular because of its ability to improve sleep quality. Benefits include:

Pressure relief: Because memory foam reacts to your body’s shape, it distributes your weight evenly, reducing painful pressure points. 

Pressure points like hips, shoulders, and your lower back are cushioned to alleviate aches and pains, promoting better circulation.

Support and spinal alignment: Memory foam’s ability to conform to your body helps you maintain proper spinal alignment to create the optimum sleep posture, which is known for preventing back pain.

Motion isolation: Memory foam absorbs movement, preventing disturbances from a partner who may toss and turn. This enhances restful sleep because you aren’t feeling every movement of the bed.

Hypoallergenic properties: The nature of memory foam and its properties make it resistant to dust mites and other allergens, making it a great choice for people with allergies or asthma.

Durability: Choosing a high-quality memory foam mattress or product means it will last for many years with proper care.

Recent advancements in memory foam have also created gel-infused foams with an open-cell structure to dissipate heat more effectively for a cooler sleep environment.

There are also a variety of firmness levels available now.

Memory foam vs. other mattresses and pillow materials

Memory foam molds to your head and neck for customized pressure relief and spinal support.

Down pillows are soft and lightweight but may not provide enough support for everyone, especially those with neck pain and sleep issues.

Latex is durable, breathable, and offers a cooler sleep experience, but can be more expensive than other materials.

Polyester is affordable and readily available, but it can flatten out quickly, losing its support and shape.

Shredded memory foam is more adjustable for a moldable feel with better breathability than regular memory foam, but doesn’t provide the same level of consistent support as solid memory foam.

Memory foam mattresses provide excellent pressure relief, distributing your weight evenly, reducing pain in the shoulders, hips, and knees.

Innerspring mattresses offer firmer support, which may be better for back and stomach sleepers.

Hybrid mattresses combine the benefits of both with better airflow and durability.

Is memory foam right for you?

Memory foam is a good fit if: 

  • You’re a side sleeper

  • Have joint or back pain

  • Have a partner who tosses and turns

  • Prefer a plush sleep experience

  • Want fewer allergens

  • On a budget

How Yana Sleep Uses Memory Foam

Yana uses gel memory foam designed to provide support, pressure relief, and regulate body temperature to prevent overheating, which is a common problem with traditional memory foam.

This combination of memory foam and gel offers comfort, support, pressure relief, and cooling.

They also offer a breathable cover of organic cotton or bamboo, and adjustable fill to find your perfect level of support.

For the best sleep of your life, learn more about Yana Sleep Products and body pillows.