4 Tips for Choosing the Right Mattress for You

The mattress we sleep on plays a more important role in our wellbeing than most of us even realize. Just like how proper sleep on a nightly basis can keep us healthy, poor sleep over time can break down even the healthiest among us. Since the very surface we sleep on plays the most important external role in ensuring that we are getting our nightly quota of sleep fulfilled, here are five tips to help you choose a mattress that’s right for you.

Find Out What is Your Preferred Sleeping Position

People sleep on either their back, side, or stomach, but sometimes, some of us may alternate between sleeping on our back and side. It would be ideal if you have a partner who can confirm what kind of a sleeper you are, but most people know that about themselves already. If you are not sure, just note your sleeping posture immediately after you wake up in the morning. The position we wake up in is usually our dominant sleeping posture.

Choose an Adjustable Bed for Maximum Flexibility

If you have sleep apnea, edema, fibromyalgia, acid reflux disease, asthma, wheezing issues, or even snoring problems, you will like one of these great adjustable mattresses. They are designed to be adjusted according to your most comfortable position and stay that way until you decide to change it. Of course, the advantages of having such a bed plus mattress combo are not only limited to people suffering from one of these conditions, but pretty much anyone can benefit from the flexibility they offer.

Turn it into a recliner as you read in bed or raise it up a bit further while watching a movie. Maybe just keep the upper section raised a bit to alleviate neck pain. An adjustable mattress plus bed is essentially a multipurpose piece of furniture with a lot of potential for elderly family members as well.

Should the Material Matter?

Yes, the material does matter a lot and we will discuss three of the most common options next.

Memory Foam Mattresses – They retain their shape for years, even after adjusting with the sleeper’s body contours every night. Also allowing for excellent motion isolation, memory foam is preferred by couples sharing a bed. The biggest advantage of memory foam is its ability to relieve pressure and keep joint pain at bay.

Innerspring Mattresses – The spring or coil mattress is not the best option for any kind of sleeper really. When combined with memory foam, innerspring mattresses can make for decent, cheap beds for back and stomach sleepers.

Latex Mattresses – These are ecofriendly, premium options with excellent bounce, medium-grade pressure relief, and high durability. Back sleepers, stomach sleepers and light-medium weight side sleepers should find latex mattresses to be quite comfortable.

Matching Your Preferred Sleeping Position with Your Mattress’s Firmness

If you are a side sleeper, then it is the healthiest position you can possibly assume. Check the weight to firmness ratio chart below to find your match:

• Side sleepers under 150lbs should find a mattress rated as soft.
• Side sleepers between 150lbs – 250lbs should look for mattresses rated between medium soft – medium (ascending firmness)
• Side sleepers above 250lbs will need to opt for at least medium firm mattresses.

If you tend to sleep on your back or stomach, then:

• Look for medium rated mattresses if you are a back sleeper below 150lbs.
• Look for medium firm – firm (ascending) rated mattresses if you are a back sleeper between 150lbs – 250 lbs.
• For back sleepers above 250lbs, nothing short of firm or preferably, extra firm will do.

Sleeping on your stomach is the worst possible posture for your entire body and especially your back. Firm mattresses can help keep the back pain away, but you should really try to change the habit.