Firm Vs Soft Mattress
The mattress you rest on each night plays an important role in the quality of your sleep. If you frequently wake up in the middle of the night with sore
The mattress you rest on each night plays an important role in the quality of your sleep. If you frequently wake up in the middle of the night with sore muscles or feel unrested throughout the day, your bed may not be supporting you correctly. Based on your body type and preferred sleep position, you need a certain mattress firmness so your muscles can fully relax. When you are resting in a healthy, tension-free position, youre more likely to sleep soundly and wake feeling refreshed.
Whether you are a side, back, stomach, or combination sleeper, there is a mattress designed for your specific needs. Throughout this article, we will help you determine the level of comfort that is right for you, whether it be firm or soft.
What Is Better A Firm Or Extra Firm Mattress
Extra-firm mattresses are rather uncommon because most people dont need such a firm bed to support their body.
Usually, firm mattresses provide more than enough support for most sleepers. However, if youre very large, an extra firm bed may work well because you put more pressure on it and need more support.
Drawbacks Of A Soft Mattress
Though they can seem more comfortable and luxurious, a soft mattress can actually cause back problems for back and stomach sleepers, and those of a heavier weight.
Soft mattresses can also be problematic for bed sharers. The heavier partner may sink further in, making the sleep surface unbalanced. Finding a firmness that suits both parties can be tricky.
In some cases, soft mattresses may be less long lasting than firm. All types of mattress tend to become softer over time, so starting from an already soft baseline can lead mattresses to become unusable after a shorter amount of time, though there are still many models that have excellent durability, even with a softer feel.
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Is Back Pain Caused By The Wrong Firmness Or A Bad Mattress
Before investing in a new mattress, it’s important to assess what’s wrong with your current mattress. Is it simply that it is too soft or firm and you need to find a more suitable firmness, or is the mattress actually old, worn, sagging or lumpy and these factors are the reason for your back pain?
Mattresses that start out feeling firm gradually lose their tension as time goes on. If your mattress is bellying out at the sides, is plagued with lumps and bumps from broken springs, or has a permanent dent in the area in which you sleep, it might be a case of an old, sagging mattress causing your back pain.
Think back to when the mattress was new – did you sleep comfortably on it? When did your back pain begin? Rather than going softer or firmer, would it make sense to buy a new mattress with a similar firmness to your old one?
Cons Of A Firm Mattresses
The switch from a soft mattress to a firm one can be an initial shock for some, and a firmer mattress can aggravate pre-existing issues such as arthritis and scoliosis. Side sleepers, especially those at a lighter weight, may find that firm mattresses dont provide enough contouring, resulting in hip and shoulder pain.
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Change Your Sleeping Position
An easy way to make a hard mattress softer is to change how you sleep. Changing your sleeping position can make your mattress firmness feel different.
If your mattress feels too hard, you could try sleeping on your front or back. This is because some firmness ratings are more suited to certain sleeping positions to properly support your joints.
You can find out more about the best mattresses for different sleeping positions in our guide.
What’s Better For Your Back Firm Or Soft Mattress
Medium-firm mattresses seem to be the best option for avoiding back pain. They provide enough firmness to support the body’s weight and maintain proper spine alignment. Plus, they have enough give to cradle the natural contours of the body to prevent tension in the hips.
But here’s where it gets a little more complicated. Our body weight and sleeping positions also play a role in choosing the right mattress firmness. People who are heavier tend to find firmer mattresses more comfortable on the back as the mattress can better support and distribute their weight. Lighter people often find firm mattresses too hard on their joints and prefer to sink into a softer mattress.
People who sleep on their side tend to prefer softer mattresses which are gentler on the hip, knee and elbow joints than firm mattresses. Back and stomach sleepers tend to fare better with the stability of a firm mattress. It’s important to weight up all of these factors when deciding what’s better for your back firm or soft is only one part of the equation.
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The Pros And Cons Of Hard Mattresses
Even though a lot of people consider hard mattresses to be the more uncomfortable of the two options, they actually come with a host of benefits. For starters, the fact that a hard mattress has less give than a soft means that it helps you maintain a neutral position in your spine better. A firm mattress also improves oxygen and blood flow while youre asleep, which helps promote better breathing and circulation.
On the other hand, firmer mattresses can be uncomfortable to sleep on at first, though they tend to get a bit more comfortable over time. Harder mattresses are also typically bad news for anybody who has problems with their lower back, like arthritis or scoliosis, which is why its important to consider things like personal health when determining the best fit.
Soft Mattress: Pros And Cons
A soft mattress can feel very comfortable to start with, but as you sink into it you can feel hot during the night. Soft mattresses offer less support than their harder equivalents.
- A soft mattress help reduce back pain, particularly with the elderly
- A soft mattress is good if you sleep on your side or in the fetal position.
- Most soft mattresses are fine for lighter weight people they may be too soft for heavier sleepers.
- Because a soft mattress provides less support, your spine can settle down into a misaligned shape.
- Most mattresses can often become softer with time and wear out long before hard mattresses.
- Soft mattress can become lumpy or sag much quicker than harder equivalents.
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How Can I Make My Bed More Firm
You can change the feel of a mattress by adding a topper. Memory foam toppers can be used to add softness or firmness to your bed. At Amerisleep, our Lift Memory Foam Topper comes in two different firmness levelsSupport and Comfort. If you are looking to add firmness to your current mattress, the Support topper has a firmer feel and helps create an even sleeping surface. The Comfort topper offers more cushioning for those looking to add softness to a bed.
How To Tell If A Crib Mattress Is Firm Enough The Baby Mattress Firmness Test You Need To Know About
When shopping for a firm crib mattress, we recommend you start with what we call the FIRMS checklist:
F Firm and Flat: Look for a crib mattress with a firm, flat surface. There shouldnt be any peaks or valleys on the mattress.
I Indentation Resistant: When a crib mattress arrives, you should test its resistance to indentations. Simply press the mattress in the middle, and again around the mattress edges. If the mattress is firm enough for your baby, it will snap back right away, rather than conforming to your hand or fingers.
R Recall List: Before you let your baby sleep on a new crib mattress, double check its not on the recall list. Americans can check for baby product recalls here, and Canadians can check here. Wed recommend you check both lists, just in case.
M Mattress Edges and Corners: Firm crib mattresses will have strong and stable edges and corners that cant be pushed inwards to create a gap between the crib edge and mattress. Double check the mattress in your crib to ensure theres no way to create large gaps.
S Soft Isnt Safe: This one isnt so much a checklist as a reminder. If the crib mattress seem like it would be comfortable for you, its probably too soft for your baby. When it comes to baby mattresses, firmer is always better, so dont be afraid to look for an extra firm crib mattress.
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Soft Or Firm Mattress: Which Is Better For Side Sleepers
All sleep experts recommend side sleeping for better rest and healthier life. Statistically, most people favor sleeping on their side, even though we tend to change positions during sleep. Considering these two facts, many mattress manufacturers and retailers advertise various models as being the best for side sleepers. But the truth is that such products must present a few unique traits to make side sleeping a truly comfortable experience.
We have heard several myths regarding those features, and Ive noticed that the central debate focused on their level of firmness. Some say softer is best, others advocate for a higher degree of stiffness. Let me expose both tales:
Advantage Of A Soft Mattress
A new study has pointed out that a soft mattress may be beneficial to people with back problems, refuting the age-old belief that people with back issues should sleep only on hard surfaces. Here are the details of the scientific study: In the study, Spanish researchers analyzed the effect of mattresses on 313 participants who had back pain. The participants were randomly divided into two groups.
One group was asked to sleep on a firm mattress that had a softness rating of 2.3 out of 10. The other group was asked to sleep on a medium-firm mattress that had a softness rating of 5.6. The duration of the study was 90 days. The researchers assessed the patients at the start of the study and upon the completion of the trial.
Patients were also asked to assess their condition on a daily basis and to rate on a scale of 1 to 10 the intensity of pain they felt on rising from the bed, the intensity of pain while sleeping, and the degree of discomfort, disability, or pain they experienced during the day on a scale of 1 to 10.
At the end of the study, all participants experienced improvement in their condition. However, the participants who slept on a medium-firm mattress for 90 days experienced better results. The condition of participants who experienced back pain while lying down improved by as much as 80% on a medium-firm mattress, and 70% on a firm mattress.
Again, its important to have the right firmness.
So what is the right firmness?
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What To Look For In A Mattress
Buying a new mattress represents a significant purchase for most adults. This is especially true for seniors who are more likely to experience recurring aches and pains in their backs and joints. The right mattress can make getting into and out of bed easier, promote spinal alignment, and relieve painful pressure points in sensitive areas.
Unfortunately, mattress companies often use confusing industry jargon in their marketing materials. This can make finding the right mattress harder than it needs to be. Lets take a look at what really matters when choosing a mattress.
Which Mattress Firmness Is Best For Seniors
As is typically the case, the best level of mattress firmness will depend on the sleepers weight, sleep position, as well as personal preferences. However, seniors are more likely to experience chronic aches and pains in the back, hips, and major joints. As a result, older adults may want to stay away from overly firm mattresses which can create painful pressure points for already tender joints. Medium soft, medium, and medium firm mattresses that offer moderate contouring are likely to be the best choices for seniors.
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Best Soft Mattress: Amerisleep As5
Amerisleeps AS5 is their softest model designed to cushion and cradle the pressure points when side sleeping. This mattress is also perfect for lightweight individuals who tend to experience minimal sinking because the Bio-Pur® foam responds with very little pressure.
Since Amerisleeps Bio-Pur® comfort foam is made with plant-based oils, it is naturally more breathable and has more elasticity than most mattress foams. So, while it provides deep contouring, AS5 wont become over-heated and uncomfortable.
Since soft mattresses tend to create excess sinking, Amerisleep includes two unique foam layers that promote a neutral spine. Their Active Flex foam is buoyant to keep the hips and shoulders lifted and aligned, while their Affinity foam with HIVE® technology provides targeted support to the lumbar spine to reduce lower back pain.
These three layers are supported by Amerisleeps Bio-Core® foam, a sturdy material that helps reduce sagging and indentations.
The AS5 also comes with a generous 20-year warranty and a 100-night sleep trial period.
- Ultra-soft comfort layer to prevent pressure points
- Bio-Pur® plant-based foam is non-toxic
- Supportive foam base is resistant to sagging
Current Promotion
The Difference Between Plush Medium And Firm Mattresses
Your bed is the piece of furniture you probably use the most in your home. Hours are spent on it each and every night, not to mention any midday lounging time. If youre a student, your bed may be your prime studying spot, or if you work from home, it may even be your office. Being comfortable in bed is important, so you should consider all of the available options when youre buying a new mattress, which are typically replaced every five to seven years.
Mattress comforts are extremely subjective and a variety of terms will be used to describe the firmness level of a mattress. There isnt a universal list of specifications to determine which word should be used to describe the feel of a mattress. And, comfort levels will be impacted by the type of construction, components used, and manufacturer. This makes a lot of people wonder if a plush, medium, or firm mattress will be right for them.
To figure this out, there are a number of questions to ask yourself when deciding between plush vs. medium vs. firm mattresses.
- What is the difference between a plush and firm mattress?
- What is the difference between a medium and plush mattress?
- What is the difference between a firm and medium mattress?
- What position do you normally sleep in at night?
- Is your current mattress causing you pain?
- What mattress do you feel most comfortable on?
- What type of mattress is best for you?
This article answers some basic questions to help you decide which mattress best suits your needs.
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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.
Pros Of A Soft Mattresses
Soft mattresses feel comfortable to the touch. Theyre what we think of when we imagine a cozy, restful nights sleep. Theyre also excellent for individuals experiencing back pain on firmer surfaces. Side sleepers also gravitate towards them as their sleeping position tends to require softer surfaces that allow for greater contouring at the shoulders and hips to alleviate pressure.
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Drawbacks Of A Firm Mattress
On a superficial level, the switch from a softer to harder mattress can initially feel very uncomfortable. This usually becomes less noticeable with time.
For those with specific back problems such as arthritis and scoliosis, a firmer mattress can actually exacerbate pain. This is why its essential to research mattresses before making a purchase.
How To Choose Your Mattress Firmness
As you shop for a new bed, you will need to decide if you need a plush vs. a firm mattress. The mattress firmness levels are comfort terms used to communicate how something feels it does not indicate the quality of support a mattress will provide you. Determining the right support for your body, size, and shape is an important first step. A comfortable mattress will help you fall asleep quicker, while the support system will keep you from tossing and turning or waking up in pain.
Your body composition plays a huge role in how a mattress will feel and perform for you. Unfortunately, its not as simple as knowing that you like a soft or firm mattress. You need to consider the support level your body needs and how the comfort level will play a role in improving your quality of sleep.
Plush vs. Firm Mattress
A plush mattress has a softer feel. This is achieved by adding layers of pressure-relieving materials on top of the support core or by varying the thickness and density of the padding. These layers contour to your hips and shoulders, cradling your body throughout the night. Sleepers often describe this feel as if theyre sleeping in or getting hugged by their bed. Plush mattresses are a great option for side sleepers.
Medium vs. Plush Mattress
Medium vs. Firm Mattress
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