Mattresses are one of the most important things to consider when getting a good night’s rest. Today, there are more choices than ever before in materials and types of mattresses. What is best for you will depend on what position you sleep in. We all spend 33% (that’s 1/3) of our lives asleep so having the right mattress matters.
There are standard positions people sleep in: Back, Side, Stomach, and Combination. The way your body contours to a mattress is called its “Sleeping Position.” Your choice of bedding will affect how well you can find a comfortable sleeping position with support from your mattress. Here is a walk-through to selecting the best mattress by different sleep positions.
How Mattresses Affect Sleeping Positions
The main issue with sleep positions is that not all mattresses can be comfortable for every one of them. A mattress should support your Spine whether you sleep on your Back, Side, or Stomach. The common reason people have sleepless nights is that they are sleeping and the mattress is not supporting their spine correctly.
Sleeping positions can also be affected by a person’s weight which changes from person to person. It may change where the deepest part of their body sinks in the mattress.
Stomach Sleepers
For those who sleep on their stomach, finding the best mattress might be a bit tricky. You may consider a thin mattress to avoid back pain. You may also want to look for one with small coils, so it is softer. The firmer, the better as well, since stomach sleepers need support for their hips and shoulders.
You can achieve this with a pillow that raises the head, so you are not laying flat on your stomach. Try to get more padding in your lumbar area, which will keep your lower back from arching too much.
Fabric choices are less important here since you don’t sleep directly on top of your mattress anyway. The material should still be breathable, so it doesn’t trap heat while you’re sleeping, though. Generally speaking, Stomach Sleepers should avoid memory foam mattresses because they tend to be too soft.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers need a firmer mattress that gives support to the shoulders and hips. It should also keep their spine in alignment while they sleep at night. They often have problems with too soft mattresses, so finding just the right can be challenging at times.
Most people who sleep on their side prefer memory foam mattresses because of the gentle contour it creates for this position. It can provide relief to areas of your body where you tend to carry more tension, such as your neck or shoulders, by evenly distributing your body’s weight. It reduces pressure points which can lead to less tossing and turning during the night.
Memory foam mattresses are known for being very breathable, so you don’t get hot while sleeping. It also does not trap heat between your sheets and mattress like traditional innerspring mattresses can do at times, especially if you’re a side sleeper that gets warm quickly while sleeping.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers need good pressure relief in their shoulders and lumbar area, but they also need extra support through their midsection (waist). The lower back should sink into the mattress enough to take some of the stress off of it but not too far where it causes an arch or excess curvature in your spine.
You’ll also want to consider the height of the mattress when it comes to back sleepers considering they are losing more pressure on their feet than side sleepers. In this case, a low profile will help them sit up in bed more effortlessly, while a high profile will give extra head and foot comfort.
Back sleepers need a medium-firm to firm mattress that provides good lower back support. A soft mattress will cause their hips to sink into the bed and put more stress on the back. A softer pillow is a better option for back sleepers because it keeps the neck from being arched too much, so you don’t wake up with a stiff neck.
A gel memory foam is a trendy choice for this type of sleeper because it allows airflow through the mattress but still gives you pressure relief where needed most, typically in your shoulders and hips. Back sleepers should stay away from memory foam mattresses if they tend to get too hot while sleeping as it does not breath and traps in body heat.
Combination Sleepers
If you’re a combination sleeper, you should look for a mattress that works well with your current sleep style and doesn’t give you any pressure points to make it uncomfortable. Mattresses made out of memory foam tend to be the most comfortable and provide the best overall pressure relief for all types of sleepers because they contour to your body like no other material can do.
Takeaway
There is not one mattress type that is best for everyone. Choosing the right mattress comes down to your sleep style, weight, and how much you move around at night. Keep in mind that there are many different types of mattresses, so it becomes a personal preference.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
