Is A Soft Mattress Good For Side Sleepers

People With Joint Pain Sleep Apnea And Arthritis

The comforting features of a soft mattress make it an ideal choice for people who experience joint pain, sleep apnea and arthritis. The cushioning layers of a soft mattress for side sleepers can provide necessary support while relieving pressure on joints, allowing them to rest comfortably throughout the night. This reduces the tossing and turning one may experience when sleeping in a firmer bed.

Additionally, the extra cushioning can help reduce snoring caused by sleep apnea and ease discomfort associated with arthritic joints. A soft mattress makes an excellent choice for people with any of these conditions by providing necessary support without compromising comfort.

Mattress Material For Side Sleeping

The next biggest decision is choosing the material or construction of your mattress. There are more options now than ever before so this can be somewhat daunting. Traditional mattresses sold by mattress retail stores are typically innerspring/coil mattresses. Memory foam has become very popular in the last decade, as well as Latex. Traditional innerspring mattresses are also still popular and there are a number of hybrid mattresses that combine the benefits of different materials.

Generally, most affordable mattresses fall into these categories:

Best Mattress Firmness For Back

If you’re a back-sleeper, we recommend slightly firmer mattresses. This is because you’ll need excellent spinal alignment and extra support for your heaviest areas.

Of course, this is a personal choice and you may still prefer a softer feel. Your body weight is another important consideration, too – if you’re heavier than average, you may prefer a firmer mattress.

Without taking into account your personal preference, we recommend the following mattress firmness ratings if you’re a back-sleeper:

Medium-firm mattresses are the most popular choice for back-sleepers, since they provide the best support without feeling too firm.

Firm mattresses are great if you’re a back-sleeper and love a firmer feel, or if you’re of above-average weight.

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How Does A Soft Mattress Affect Comfort And Support

While it may seem like hard mattresses provide additional support and comfort, they might only sometimes be right. That’s because a supportive mattress is sometimes the best and most comfortable option for everyone.

For instance, a firm mattress may provide enough support to back sleepers, but there are better choices for people who sleep on their side. Furthermore, a firm mattress can cause excessive pressure points in areas such as the hips and shoulders, leading to discomfort.

Whereas a soft mattress can provide superior comfort and support for side sleepers. While it won’t be as supportive as a firmer option, it will help reduce the pressure on those sensitive areas while providing exceptional cushioning. This can also help provide better alignment for the spine and reduce any possible back pain associated with sleeping on a hard mattress.

Here are a few ways a soft mattress can make a big difference.

What Is The Correct Mattress Size

The first aspect to take into account when selecting the correct size mattress is that its at minimum 10cm higher than the person who is tallest on the mattress. In terms of size, if sharing an area of a bed, both you and your companion should be able to put your hands on your head with your elbows not touching. If youre sleeping by yourself, youll be able to have the right size mattress when its possible to rest your hands on your head and not touch the edges. Therefore, measure the distance and should you select a mattress larger than this, youre good to go.

The majority of the mattresses that we have included on our best mattress guide come in twin full, twin XL, queen size and full Cal King sizes. Some include split options that allow the user to select the one that is more firm to your partner. There are mattresses that offer different levels of firmness on both sides .

The bigger and deeper the mattress is, the more itll cost. Most twin mattresses are only a few hundred dollars more that the size of a queen in contrast, the king size as well as Cal King sizes are typically around $200 more expensive than queen size. Hybrid mattresses, luxury and premium models generally will cost more than the regular version.

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How Does Side Sleeping Affect Your Sleep

Your gut health may also improve if youre a side sleeper. This is the optimal position for your digestive system, and may lead to a decrease in gastrointestinal issues like heartburn, constipation, and bloating.

Side sleeping also leads to a , which can create a disruption in breathing, especially if you have obstructive sleep apnea.

One question you can ask to judge a mattress: Can the mattress keep your spine comfortably aligned?

Here are the other points we considered when creating our list of nine mattresses side sleepers should check out.

Comfort Layers Vs Support Layers

Beds are full of many complex layers to provide their sleepers with the right amount of support and pressure relief. These layers work together to offer different experiences based on the sensation the manufacturer is trying to achieve.

Generally, softer layers provide more of a relieving sensation, offering soothing pressure relief to accommodate aches and pains. Support layers are typically more firm and provide a stable and secure surface to align your spine. These support layers are critical so that you don’t wake up feeling creaky, stiff, or in pain.

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What Is The Best Mattress For Side Sleepers

Sleeping on your side is often said to have many benefits, including easier breathing, improved back alignment and better digestion good news for the 55% of all adults who sleep on their side. But if youre a side sleeper who hasnt got the best mattress for side sleepers, you may miss out on all of the side sleeper benefits, and worst, you may even be at risk of experiencing shoulder or hip pressure point pain.

At SleepMaker, we have worked hard to design and hand-craft a range of mattresses that are as unique as your individual sleeping preference and suitable for our nation of side sleepers.

Problems Associated With Side Sleeping

The number one problem with side sleeping is the force exerted to the shoulder below. Thats one major reason why many of us experience shoulder pain. And if the shoulder pain is caused by other reasons, the pain would be worse for side sleepers.

Another thing is that the hips are twisted for most side sleepers. This poses a threat to possible hip pain. The easy fix here, though, is a pillow paired with the best mattress for shoulder pain. That way, you can achieve body alignment, at least in your lower extremities.

One of the common issues about side sleeping is paresthesia or pins and needles. Since your other arm is buried on the weight of your body, the circulation is disrupted. Once, I woke up with a completely limp left arm enough to send me on a fit of panic. It disturbs the sleep cycle and the last thing youll know is you have a bad case of shoulder ache.

Sometimes, side sleeping isnt exactly the problem, but the mattress is.

Stiff mattresses that dont conform to the shape of the body are only a notch shy of being the same with sleeping on the floor. Although it cushions the body, it fails to support it entirely.

For women who are sleeping on their sides, one problem is it causes the breasts to sag on one side. This puts the strain on the ligaments that can possibly cause pain on the bust. Also, side sleeping increases wrinkles. So should you switch to a new sleeping position now? Nah.

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Is A Softer Mattress Better For Side Sleepers

Side sleepers need extra pressure relief at the hips and shoulders, the areas that have the deepest compression when sleeping in this position. A softer mattress has enough give to prevent too much pressure buildup. However, a mattress thats too soft can sink under your weight, throwing your spine out of alignment. A medium-soft to medium mattress is a good middle ground that combines some plushness with enough support.

Should I Use A Mattress Topper With A Plush Mattress

Different mattress toppers achieve different things. If your plush mattress is still too firm, adding a down or cotton topper can help make it plusher. On the other hand, if youre still feeling pain after sleeping, adding a memory foam mattress topper can provide a bit more firmness and relieve troublesome pressure points. Either way, you only need to use a mattress topper if your mattress isnt quite as comfortable as youd like.

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Yes If You’re A Lightweight Person

If you weigh less than the average person, you’ll find a firmer mattress particularly problematic in terms of pressure relief. In contrast, you may find that only a softer mattress provides enough ‘give’ on your shoulder and hips to get truly comfortable. Conversely if you’re heavier than average, you’ll probably need more support than a soft mattress can provide. Generally, heavier people require a firm mattress with a good depth.

How To Choose Mattress As A Side Sleeper

If youre a side sleeper and are in need of a mattress:

• Start your search on the softer side. Soft-medium to medium comfort level mattresses are best for side sleepers as they have enough padding to reduce pressure points like shoulders and hips.
• Test out your options. Make sure to test out a potential new bed before making a purchasing decision. Lay down in the position you prefer to sleep in. From there you will be able to tell if this could be the bed you need every night.
• Always remember that a good mattress for you will keep the spine in a straight position contour pressure points, such as the hips and shoulders and be consistently comfortable in every position, but especially for the one you tend to sleep in most.

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Whats The Best Mattress For Heavy People Who Are Side

Side-sleepers who weigh more than 200 pounds should look for mattresses made with high-quality, durable materials. Generally speaking, this means higher foam densities and sturdy, pocketed coils . Latex, a type of foam made from the sap of a rubber tree, tends to be more durable and breathable than both memory foam and polyfoam, and it can offer great support for side-sleepers who like firmer mattresses.

Though no mattress will work for everyone, we think that side-sleepers who fall into this weight category should consider the all-foam Loom & Leaf , the Tempur-Adapt , the Charles P. Rogers Estate SE, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid, or the all-latex Zenhaven . Whatever mattress you settle on, remember to rotate it at least every six months to help keep body impressions and sagging at bay.

Your Sleep Is Critical

Finding the perfect mattress can make a dramatic difference, not only in your sleep but all aspects of your daily life. Getting quality sleep can improve your productivity, prevent muscle and joint pain as well as ultimately lead to improved happiness.

Many studies show a direct correlation between hours slept and your happiness. Due to the importance of getting a good nights rest, we recommend making your sleep a real priority in your life and ensuring you have the right tools and knowledge to take control of your sleep.

Finding the right mattress for side sleeping comes down to mattress firmness, types of materials, your own weight, budget, and personal preference.

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What Makes A Suitable Mattress

Aside from personal preference, a main factor when choosing a suitable mattress is your spine health. The spine naturally has three slight curves, and they need to be supported even when youre horizontal.

A good mattress will hold your body in a neutral position. This means your spine will be held in its natural slight curve, and your head, shoulders, buttocks and heels are aligned. On a perfect mattress, you should feel no pressure at all, almost as if youre floating. Over time, the right mattress can relax muscles, encourage better sleep, and even improve posture. The wrong mattress could leave you waking up with back pain, particularly around the base of your spine, and can interfere with healthy sleep more generally.

Firmness For Side Sleepers

In general, we would recommend a slightly softer mattress for side sleepers.

On our Sleep Hero firmness scale, this would be any mattress with an average firmness of about 4 – 6 .

These are generally softer or medium-firm mattresses.

Firmer mattresses often don’t allow for sufficient sinkage in the hip and shoulder areas, which will prevent optimal spinal alignment.

You can, however, find some firmer mattresses that still allow for enough sinkage, like the Nectar memory foam mattress.

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Nolah Signature Best For Sleepers Under 230 Lbs

If youre a side sleeper that weighs less than 230 lbs then youll need a softer mattress that allows for deeper compression in order to remove the compression forces from your joints.

The Puffy Original that I listed earlier is ideal for this because of its capacity for greater sinkage.

But if you dont like that option then you might prefer to use the soft side of the double-sided Nolah Signature mattress because it has a medium-soft feel with great pressure relief thanks to the all-foam design.

Check out my Nolah Mattress Review for more information on this double-sided mattress and to see how stacks up against the Nolah Original.

Recommended For:

• Side sleepers under 230 lbs .

Sleeping Adjustments:

• Flip the mattress over to its firm side to accommodate front and back sleeping.

Benefits

Best Soft Mattresses For Side Sleepers

So far, we have discussed how a soft mattress can provide a comfortable sleeping experience for side sleepers. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which is best? That’s where we come in! We have taken the guesswork out of shopping for a soft mattress for side sleepers and rounded up our top picks for the best mattresses.

Here’s a list of our top picks:

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Top 3 Pillows For Back

Sleeping on your stomach can be very comfortable, although it can lead to neck and back pain. The right kind of mattress can help to prevent this. To get the best night’s sleep on your front, your mattress should:

• Ensure healthy spinal alignment

You’ll need more support than a side-sleeper but less than a back-sleeper.

• Provide good pressure relief

To care for sensitive areas such as your head, neck, arms and shoulders – without being overly soft.

• Balance comfort with support

You’ll need more cushioning than a back-sleeper but less than a side-sleeper.

Side Sleeping And Keeping Your Spine Aligned

Its important to keep your spine properly aligned as you sleep. This means the spine should be fairly straight. Typically, mattresses with a medium soft to medium firm feel provide appropriate spinal support to side sleepers.

Mattresses that are too soft can allow the hips and shoulders to sag, putting pressure on the lower back. On the other hand, mattresses that are too firm push back against these wider body parts, creating pressure points and preventing the spine from staying straight. Improper spinal alignment can disturb your sleep and may also contribute to back pain.

As you shop, you may see models with zoned layers. These layers are designed to provide extra support for the heavier midsection of the body, which helps keep the back in a straighter line.

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Side Sleeping Pillows And Mattress Toppers

A mattress that offers full-body support and contouring is the most important purchase for side sleepers. You can further customize the mattress with sleep accessories, including pillows and mattress toppers, to make sleeping on your side more comfortable. Pillows ensure your head and neck are aligned, while mattress toppers can change the comfort system and feel of your bed. Well provide a quick rundown of what to look for when it comes to pillows and mattress toppers so youll know how to elevate your beds comfort and support.

Is Memory Foam Better For Side

Generally speaking, there are two physical factors to consider when you shop for a new bed: spinal alignment and pressure relief. Pressure points vary depending on someones sleep position, but people who fall asleep on their side inherently put extra pressure on their hips and shoulders. Because memory foam cradles the body, it helps keep your spine in proper alignment and offers cushioning and support exactly where you need itin this case, your hips and shoulders. But a good-quality innerspring or hybrid with a plush top can do the same thing.

Since side-sleepers usually need more neck and head support than people who sleep on their back or stomach, choosing the right pillow is nearly as important as choosing the right mattress. Our side-sleeping testers have consistently preferred memory foam in their pillows we recommend the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Pillow, which has a moldable, shredded-foam fill that allows side-sleepers to easily achieve the perfect loft for their needs.

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