What Mattress is Best for You?

You’re looking for the perfect night’s sleep. Yet, your mattress isn’t cooperating. Whether you’re a back sleeper, a side sleeper, or a front sleeper, our guide can help you find just the right one.

When you start shopping for a mattress, the options can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Should you find something budget friendly or splurge a little? What size should you choose? How do you know what firmness level to pick? What should your new mattress be made from? Innerspring or foam?

There’s no need to worry as we look at what mattress is best for you and your sleep style.

Know Your Sleep Position

The very first thing you need to do is analyze your sleep position. There are four general types: side sleeper, back sleeper, tummy sleeper, and combination sleeper. Some people vary their position throughout the night, so be aware if you do this as well and decide which is your most prominent position.

You will find that you favor one position more than another for most of the night. Why is this important?

It’s important because many mattresses are designed for certain types of sleepers while others can accommodate a wide variety of sleep positions.

If You’re a Back Sleeper

Back sleepers usually do best with a medium firm mattress. Why? If the mattress is too firm, this might hurt their lower back and even their shoulders. If you go too soft, your back and hips can get out of alignment causing back pain.

Back sleepers should stay right in the middle of the firmness scale. This helps keep your spine in a neutral alignment, so your back doesn’t get out of position causing pain across areas of your back.

Finally, back sleepers will thrive in a hybrid mattress. This combines foam and coil layers to cradle your body and help keep you in the right sleep position.

If You’re a Side Sleeper

Side sleepers need to carefully balance their choice to make sure they don’t end up with pain in their shoulders and their hips.

This generally leads side sleepers to a softer mattress. The softness will cradle the curves of their body. Industry standard is a 6.5 for medium firmness, so a softer mattress should be under this but not lower than a four on the firmness scale.

Side sleepers have to be cautious of their joints, and this is why a soft mattress is critical. A memory foam mattress is really going to benefit side sleepers because of the pressure relief.

If You’re a Tummy Sleeper

The stomach sleeper should look at a firm mattress. Why? To help keep your hips inline with your shoulders and avoid back pain.

The last thing a tummy sleeper wants is to sleep on a soft bed. Firm and extra firm are the way to go.

That being said, you can end up with a supportive mattress that is comfortable, so a hybrid mattress is also a good option here. An innerspring, traditional mattress is another great option. Consider a pillow top for added comfort.

If You’re a Combination Sleeper

For those people who roll around all night from side to back to stomach want to look at a medium firmness.

Because this provides balance to the combo sleeper, you’ll find the most comfort in a hybrid type mattress. This way you’re comfortable whichever way you roll.

If You Have Back Pain

Nearly 65 million Americans suffer from some sort of back pain. While there are many reasons for back pain, one of these is an unsupportive mattress.

Many people find that simply getting a new mattress helps prevent and alleviate back pain.

When choosing the right mattress for back pain sufferers, you want to consider the type of pain you have.

For chronic back pain sufferers, consider your pain when deciding between a firmer or a softer mattress. You want to be comfortable while keeping your spine in the right position. Here are a few tips on what to look for.

If You Have Lower Back Pain

This is pain in the L1-L5 vertebrae in your lumbar area. It’s the most common type of back pain.

You’ll find that spending years on the wrong kind of mattress or in the wrong sleep position can cause your lower back to ache. This can happen whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach.

Side sleepers want a softer mattress, while back and stomach sleepers can look at medium firm to firm.

If You Have Middle and Upper Back Pain

This type of pain isn’t as common as lower back pain. If you have this kind of pain, you may have a serious issue.

While your first step is a visit to the doctor, you may find relief from a mattress that relieves pressure on your upper or middle back regions. A better pillow can also help you.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know what mattress is best for you, you can start your search.

You have what you need so you can look at specific categories of mattresses to help you choose just the right one.

Be sure and visit us as we can help you find your best mattress.

Photo by Tracey Hocking on Unsplash