Rotate Sides Or Flip The Mattress
Regularly switch mattress sides every three months because most cannot be flipped bring the top side to the bottom or the left side to the right, and vice versa, to fix the softness of your bed. This will enable your mattress to retain its shape and increase its durability by distributing weight evenly across all sides.
Although some types of mattresses cannot be flipped, you can reduce softness by flipping those that allow it. This will reduce wear and tear on one side by evening it out. Do so every six months.
Try A Mattress Topper
A latex mattress topper can help your soft bed feel more supportive.
You may be familiar with plush mattress toppers that make your bed feel even softer, but there are plenty of mattress toppers that can do just the opposite. When it comes to choosing a topper that will make your bed more firm, you can generally find options made of either memory foam, latex or polyurethane.
You’ll want to look for a topper that’s 2 inches or more thick. You can also check the ILD if you’re shopping for a latex topper. The ILD tells you how firm the mattress topper feels. The higher the number, the more dense and firm it will feel.
Types Of Mattresses On The Market
- Memory foam- They are created to offer pressure relief by contouring your body. They are a good investment if you suffer from morning lower back and neck pain.
- Innerspring- utilizes coils to offer strong support and a bouncy feeling.
- Hybrid- They use latex or memory foam layers. They are a good investment if you suffer from morning aches due to a poor quality mattress.
- Latex- They offer more relaxed sleep they are more responsive and bouncy than other mattresses.
- Air Mattresses- They require the use of an air pump to inflate the mattress to your preferred level of firmness. Some of them are separated into two compartments. If you have a partner, you can inflate to the desired levels in both compartments.
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Tips For Buying A High
- Try out different beds- If you enjoy sleeping on various beds at your friends house or hotel rooms, you can purchase beds that offer the same feel. Try out different mattresses from different stores to find the one that suits your needs.
- Shop for value, rather than price- A high-quality mattress can be more expensive. However, the price wont guarantee that the mattress provides better support or comfort. Compare shop prices to get the best prices once you find your ideal mattress.
- Be careful about advertising gimmicks- Mattresses dont always turn out to be of the quality stated in advertisements. Some may claim to be medically-approved or orthopedic be skeptical when viewing them. Carefully determine if the extra features are advantageous to your situation.
- Buy mattresses from trustworthy companies and stores- Different stores and companies offer different customer service. Consider those that are reliable, have a trial and return policy, remove old mattresses, have delivery options, and have long term warranties.
Use A Mattress Topper
Buying a topper is one of the quickest, most effective, and cheapest ways to make a hard surface softer. By adding a supportive layer to the top of your bed, you can enhance pressure point relief and contouring. There are different materials available, including latex, memory foam, wool, cotton, feather, polyfoam, and down alternative.
The most popular option is memory foam. If you go with this variety, get something that is under two inches thick and a lower density for extra softness.
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Signs Your Mattress Is Too Soft
Plus how to pick the perfect replacement, according to a spine surgeon.
There’s nothing quite like sinking into bed after a long day. But if you’re literally sinking into your bed, it might be a time for a new mattress, says Richard Guyer, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and cofounder of the Texas Back Institute.
Your spine has a natural S-curve, he explains, with the lower back curving inward, and the upper back curving out: “If you lay down on a very, very soft bed, the curve is not supported and you lay like youre in a hammock. I call it the banana position. While the banana position feels oh-so-good when youre chillaxing, its not the way you want to sleep all night, says Dr. Guyer.
So how do you know if your mattress is firm enough? Its one of those black box areas that we as consumers dont know much about,” says Dr. Guyer. But there are a few telltale signs that you’re not getting the support you need: 1) There’s a dent in your mattress in the morning. 2) You’re draggy throughout the day, because you’re not getting quality sleep at night. 3) You feel soreness in your back in the A.M.
If any of these signs are true for youand you’re ready to invest in a better mattress, Dr. Guyer has a few shopping tips.
How To Know You Need A New Bed
This is going to vary from individual to individual, as there is no set in stone rule for when a sleeper ought to replace their bed though most manufacturers recommend 7 years. It might help to pay attention to how the material is holding up and whether it is falling apart or sagging in areas.
Find Out More: Side Effects of Sleeping On a Bad Mattress
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Help Memory Foam Mattress Is Too Soft19 Jul 2014 1: 30#5
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Hi bedtoosoft,I have to agree with Phoenix here, there is not much to do with a memory foam that is too soft. One client told us that he used a mattress protector and laced it under the mattress to make it really tight. This created a trampoline like effect over the memory foam, and made him sink less into the mattress……..If this does not work you may need to replace your mattress, I always suggest using a differential construction when choosing a new mattress because it is the easiest way to get the mattress that is just right for you !good luck |
Problem: Health Problems Require Modified Sleeping Or Mattress Positions
There are several injuries and disorders that might require a person to have on portion of their body elevated during sleep. Often, their partner may not need the same adjustment and it can be awkward and cumbersome to stack up pillows. This usually results in someone sleeping in the recliner to get some peace.
Solutions:
- Home adjustable bases allow users to flex the head and feet sections, and come in split king and queen sizes for couples. Modern models resemble boxsprings in appearance and often have luxury features like massage. Their price is often similar to a high end mattress , but these products are usually designed to last for several years. If long-term conditions like acid reflux, sleep apnea, and edema are a concern, or even if you are both perfectly healthy, an adjustable base can be one of the best investments for a couples long-term happiness in the bedroom.
- If you are on a budget or just need a temporary solution, bed wedge pillows can allow one person to raise their head or feet without intruding on the other.
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Replace The Box Spring
Box springs are vital to how your mattress feels. Over time box springs can lose their ability to support both you and the mattress. If so, sagging will be immediately evident as well as waking up with back pain. Fortunately, replacing the box spring on your mattress is relatively inexpensive compared to purchasing an entirely new set.
Another way to firm up the box spring is to use the plywood trick as stated earlier. Remember, both the mattress and the box spring work together. In order to have the best sleeping surface, the support underneath your bed needs to be strong and sturdy.
How Firm/soft Should Your Mattress Be
Unfortunately, theres no hard and fast rule for how firm/soft a mattress should be, as it varies from person to person. Everything from your preferred sleeping position to genetics plays a role in how firm your mattress should be. Generally, if youre getting a good nights sleep and arent experiencing aches during the daytime, youve got the right mattress.
The following factors should help determine what level of firmness you need in a mattress:
- Sleep position: If you sleep on your back or your stomach, you will likely do best with a medium to firm mattress to help support your spine. If you sleep on your sides, a softer mattress will be better for you.
- Weight: If you weigh less than 130 pounds, you will likely benefit if you adjust your mattress to have a medium level of firmness. Likewise, if you weigh more than 230 pounds, your body will get more support from adjusting your mattress to have a firmer feel.
- Conditions: If you have serious back pain or arthritis in your hips and joints, youll get the most benefit by making your mattress firm. This helps you to stretch out your spine and get the support you need.
You may want to experiment with the differing levels of firmness you can get from adjusting your mattress until you find one that feels right. Many of the factors that decide which works best for you change over time. Keep an open mind throughout the process, and you may be surprised to find that what wouldnt work for you in the past will now.
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Place Your Mattress On A Solid Surface
If you have your mattress placed on a box spring, this could be the reason it feels too soft. This could also result from your box spring being older and less study due to wear and tear. Mattresses like memory foam with more weight require you to do away with the box spring and use a solid, more flat surface.
You could use other platforms such as a platform bed, a slat foundation, or any stable, even, and solid foundation.
How To Make A Mattress Firmer
By Sanchita SenCertified Sleep Coach
If your bed is causing you to sink down or feel stuck, chances are you may need to firm it up. A firmer mattress gives you all the support you
According to a2009 National Library of Medicine study,Verified SourceNational Library of Medicine Worlds largest medical library, making biomedical data and information more accessible.View source75 percent of Americans have sleep problems a few nights per week or more, and 70 million people are currently affected by sleep problems. Sleep issues can be caused by stress, using electronic devices in bed, and even an uncomfortable mattress. According to that same study, using a medium-firm mattress can reduce back pain and improve sleep quality for average-sized sleepers.
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Are Soft Mattresses Bad For Your Back
First and foremost, its imperative to note that there isnt a standard meaning of the term soft when it comes to mattresses. This is because what one considers to be soft might not actually seem soft to another user. A mattress that is too soft would always force your body to conform to the mattress curved position, and this will consequently force your spinal alignment to adjust accordingly, leading to back pain issues. For perfect back support, you can check our selected top 10 ideal mattresses for back pain.
Can A Soft Mattress Cause Back Pain
Yes. Soft mattresses are good for petite people and side sleepers. Sleep position plays a big role here back sleepers and stomach sleepers are likely to have pain in their back, especially lower back pain.
Making a mattress firmer will help back sleepers achieve proper spinal alignment. It will also offer some relief to stomach sleepers, although their sleeping position is a problem in itself.
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How To Make Your Mattress Firmer
A broken-down or sagging mattress can keep you up at night because you cant find a comfortable sleeping position. This can leave you low on energy and in really bad shape come morning.
However, a common problem that people encounter with a new mattress is that it becomes too soft or becomes softer after a few months of usage. In such cases, knowing how to make mattress firmer should be a priority.
Advantages Of A Firm Mattress
For those not experiencing troublesome back pain, a firm mattress is will generally be more comfortable. When sleeping on a firmer surface, the bones absorb most of the pressure, meaning there is less stress on muscles, veins and arteries. Muscles are less strained, and circulation is improved.
A firm mattress also keeps your lower back from collapsing, which could allow for more oxygen intake while sleeping. Less sagging can mean the weight of the body is distributed evenly, which means no one part of the body is bearing the brunt of the pressure.
Firm mattresses are generally better for those who sleep on their back, because they provide a more stable and even surface. Stomach sleepers tend to fare better on a firmer mattress, too.
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How To Make A Mattress Firmer: 8 Hacks To Fix A Too
A mattress thats too soft for your body type and sleep style can cause neck and back pain over time, so it helps to know how to make a mattress firmer if yours has lost the support you need.
Its normal for even the best mattresses to show signs of softening after years of heavy use, but luckily there are ways to reverse this – with some caveats that we’ll cover below.
While mattress firmness is subjective, a medium-firm feel suits most people, whether you opt for a hybrid, innerspring or memory foam mattress. Softer mattresses, while snug at first, can cause lower back pain in some people by throwing the spine out of alignment.
Whatever the cause of your bed’s softness, heres how to make a mattress firmer And if you decide to upgrade instead, check out our 4th of July mattress sales guide for the latest offers.
Look Into A Custom Mattress For Even Better Back Pain Relief
Last but not least, you may want to consider buying a custom-made mattress to help eliminate your back pain in bed.
A custom mattress is precisely what it sounds likea mattress made to fit your exact specifications and unique needs.
Custom mattresses can be made to fit almost any size . But they can also carry with them a wide range of other benefits like eliminating back pain, keeping you cool at night, and even eliminating certain sleep problems.
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Choose The Right Platform
Buying a box spring or a solid mattress base is a good option for those who need extra support. A mattress on a slatted foundation and a mattress on a solid base will have different levels of firmness. By the way, if you want to prevent sagging, a good bed base will be a good solution, too. If you want to learn more about good foundations, take a look at this guide on how to choose a good platform for a memory foam mattress.
Choosing The Right Firmness Level
A firm bed isnt inherently better or worse than a soft mattress, as both firmnesses can suit different kinds of sleepers. To solve the mystery of your best firmness, you should consider your preferred sleeping position and body type.
People usually sleep on their sides, back, or stomach:
- A great mattress for side sleepers should offer a soft to medium feel. Cushioning materials conform to the body for pressure relief, particularly in the shoulders and hips.
- Good mattresses for back sleepers have a medium-firm to firm feel, bolstering back support. Back sleepers who want a softer mattress should look for a medium feel bed with extra lumbar support.
- Mattresses for stomach sleepers feature a firm feel with minimal sinkage. Stomach sleepers are more likely to misalign their spines on a softer mattress because of the way gravity pushes down on their bellies, shifting the spine out of its neutral alignment.
If you frequently wake up in a different position than the one you fell asleep in, youre probably a combination sleeper. A mattress for combination sleeping should offer a medium feel suitable for all positions. It should also have a responsive surface that keeps a person from feeling stuck in bed.
Weight is a significant factor to consider if you weigh under 130 pounds or over 230 pounds.
Conversely, plus-size people should look for a mattress firmer than whats recommended to ensure they dont sink too far into the mattress and misalign their spine.
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Turn Down The Thermostat In Your Bedroom
If you have a foam mattress and normally sleep in a warmer room, one thing you can try is cooling down the room. The cooler temperature can make your foam mattress feel firmer, since heat can soften the density of the foam. It’ll also help you sleep a bit better.
Keep in mind that your body heat will also affect it some, but it can’t hurt to try turning down the thermostat to see if it makes a difference for your mattress. Try cooling down your room at least a few hours before bed so that the room and mattress has enough time to cool down.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
