Tailoring Your Mattress to Your Sleep
Do you prefer melting into a plush, soft mattress, or relaxing on a sturdy, firm mattress? With seasonal shifts, mood changes, and indecision, picking a mattress can be difficult.
It can be hard to know what style of mattress fits your specific sleep needs, which is why it is important to understand what firmness actually means and how to choose what supports your body best.
What Mattress Firmness Really Means
You might have been told that firmness refers to how supportive a mattress is, but there are several distinct qualities that they each describe in a mattress.
Firmness
- Refers to how soft or hard the mattress is when you lie on it.
- You can think of it as the initial sensation you feel; is it plush, firm, squishy?
Support
- Refers to how well the mattress keeps your spine aligned.
- A mattress can still be soft and supportive if it keeps your hips and shoulders lifted in neutral alignment.
- A firm mattress is not automatically supportive if it pushes your spine out of position.
Put simply, firmness is the feel of the mattress, while support can be thought of as the alignment. To achieve pain-free sleep, you need a healthy balance of both support and firmness.
Who Benefits From a Firm Mattress?
If you’re a back sleeper who needs stable, lumbar support, opt for a firm mattress. Three other points you should know about who would benefit from a firm mattress are:
- Works well for stomach sleepers to prevent sinking and strain.
- Helpful for heavier-body individuals who need sturdy support.
- Tends to sleep cooler due to less sinkage.
Whether you are looking for more support or are simply a stomach sleeper, a firm mattress is an excellent choice to help you achieve better sleep.
Who Benefits From a Soft Mattress?
If you’re wondering whether you should choose a soft mattress or not, keep in mind that it is best for side sleepers who need pressure relief for their shoulders and hips.
Three other reasons why a soft mattress might be perfect for you are:
- Good for people who prefer a “cloud-like” cushioning feel.
- Ideal for lighter-weight individuals who don’t sink enough into firmer beds.
- Helps relieve pressure points but may lack support for some.
A soft mattress has everything you need, from giving you that marshmallow plush softness to helping relieve pressure points, it’ll leave you feeling well-rested and ready to conquer the day’s tasks.
How to Choose a Mattress Based On Your Sleep Style
Check out this simple breakdown of what kind of mattress is a good fit for each type of sleep style to determine which one will work best for you:
- Side sleepers: medium-soft to medium; prioritize pressure relief.
- Back sleepers: medium to medium-firm; ensure the hips stay lifted.
- Stomach sleepers: firm; keeps the lower back and neck neutral.
- Combination sleepers: medium or medium-firm for versatility.
Also, don’t forget the importance of considering body weight, preferred feel, and common pain points when choosing a new mattress.
Finding the Perfect Mattress Type to Fit Your Sleep Needs
Now that you have an understanding of the types of mattresses that are best for each different type of sleeper, you can make an informed decision to improve your sleep with a mattress tailored to your sleep needs.
