How to Choose the Right Mattress For Your Sleeping Position?
What Kind of Sleeper Are You?
How pairing the firmness of your mattress with your sleep style can improve your quality of rest
Every person has a personal sleeping preference. There are those that lay flat, those that try to sleep on their stomachs, and those that toss and turn, finally succumbing to a side-sleeping position. We develop sleeping habits by the time we’re adults, and sometimes, it can be hard to break those habits. Sleeping is the most calming and relaxing part of any day, which is why many people don’t want to be told how to sleep.
Though scientists have indeed confirmed that sleeping on your side is way more conducive to long-lasting, restful sleep than sleeping on your stomach, the good news is: there are different mattress firmness variations that can pair with your preference.
If you’re wondering what kind of sleeper you are, stay tuned for information and mattress firmness pairings:
Side Sleeper:
This is probably the best thing you can do for spinal longevity and comfortable sleep. Scientists recommend the “fetus” sleeping position for every person, especially those suffering from hip and back-related discomforts. Sleeping on your side doesn’t do any damage to these areas, and by putting a pillow between your legs, you can alleviate all pressure on your joints. This is also how pregnant women are recommended to lay while sleeping.
What kind of mattress: If you’re a side sleeper, you need a soft to medium-level firmness within your mattress. You need a mattress that contours to the curves of your body, and is not too firm to reject the contours, thereby creating lower back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain. It needs to be soft enough to accommodate the shoulders and hips, while also providing support that keeps your spine aligned throughout the night. This is the most common sleeping position among adults today.
Back Sleeper
Back sleeping, though less common than side sleeping, is a position many people fall into sometime throughout the night. Back sleeping seems to be the most natural form of sleeping to us, resulting in no kinds of bending or curving to get comfortable. However, sleeping on your back contributes to sleep apnea, which therefore contributes to horrible nights of sleep. If your airways are being interrupted while you’re sleeping, it’s going to wake you up sporadically.
What kind of mattress: Nevertheless, there are plenty of back sleepers out there. In order to provide the right kind of support for your body, you should be looking for a supportive mattress, leaning towards the more med-firm/soft side of the spectrum. Back sleepers need a mattress with proper, firm support that prevents hips from sinking into the mattress overnight. With hips slipping out of the spinal alignment, it will contribute to spinal pressures and discomforts. As a result, the sleeper will be in chronic pain, and most of the time, unsure why! If you’re a back sleeper, commit to a med-firm/soft mattress.
Stomach Sleeper:
Even though this is the most uncommon form of nightly sleeping, a small percentage of people do tend to lean towards stomach sleeping. If possible, it’s recommended to break this habit as stomach sleeping crushes organs and is the most uncomfortable form of sleep for full rest. Though not everyone can break their sleeping habits, it’s very important with this type of sleeping style to invest in a high quality mattress that provides you body the right support throughout your strenuous night of slumber.
What kind of mattress: The firmer, the better for a stomach sleeper. Medium firmness is also fine, so long as it is soft, yet hard enough to keep the body perfectly aligned while sleeping face down. If your personal preference is for a very firm mattress, that will work, too. If you get too soft of a mattress, the belly will pull the spin with it, binding it against its natural curves during the night of sleep. The more it pulls, the more likely you’ll be susceptible to spinals problems.
Combo Sleeper:
Many people reading this are probably thinking to themselves: yes, I do have a default sleeping position, but what about all the tossing and turning I do all night? If you’re a combo sleeper, and you find yourself on your side, face down, and face up at different points in the night, it’s important to identify which position is your default position. We all have positions that we prefer the most. Think about your more restful nights. What position do you fall asleep and wake up in?
What kind of mattress: Once you’ve identified the position you spend the most time in, go back to that section here in this article and follow the directions for the kind of firmness. Medium firmness with a soft cover is usually the best one-size-fits-all solution for individuals who experiment with all sorts of sleeping positions throughout the event. Like all sleepers, you need to make sure you’re providing your spine with proper support.
What Kind of Sleeper Are You?
Do you feel a little bit better about identifying your sleeping habits and therefore mattress choice? Here at Rest Right Mattress, we carry a large variety of mattresses that can deliver you with the firmness level your body needs. Consider investing in the longevity of your spinal comfort and hip alignment with our firm mattresses today.
