Is It Better To Sleep On One Side Or The Other
It is believed that sleeping on your left side is most beneficial for your overall health. In this position, your organs are freer to get rid of toxins during sleep. However, both sides can offer benefits in terms of sleep apnea and chronic low back pain. You don’t have to be on the same page all night.
Choosing The Best Mattress For Couples
If you share your bed with a partner or spouse, theres a good chance the two of you have different firmness needs and preferences. This is particularly true if the two of you have different-sized bodies and sleep in different positions. In most cases, a medium mattress works best.
Medium mattresses make the best beds for couples. These mattresses provide some give while also aiding in pain and pressure point relief. There isnt a lot of motion transfer with this firmness level, so you wont be disturbed in the middle of the night when your partner moves in their sleep.
For couples who have very different body types and sleep positions, there is a solution! A split adjustable bed can give each person exactly what they need to sleep comfortably and pain-free.
This type of bed will allow you to personalize the angle you sleep at and the level of support you get while you sleep. You can pair a medium mattress with an adjustable base for the best results.
All About Mattress Firmness
When purchasing a mattress, one of the first steps is choosing a mattress firmness level that suits your needs. Mattress firmness can be confusing, however. What one person feels is luxuriously soft may feel uncomfortably firm to someone else. While mattress firmness is somewhat subjective and dependent on personal preference, it is important to choose a firmness level thats suited to your sleeping style and personal preference. Otherwise, youll suffer from more than interrupted sleep you could develop problems such as back pain.
In short, mattress firmness refers to how the mattress feels when you first lie down on it. Does it push back and feel stiff, or contour and cushion your body? Even though individual preference is subjective, there is a numerical mattress firmness scale to help you understand what to expect when you lay on a particular mattress. The scale runs from 1 to 10 and covers the three common mattress firmnesses: soft, medium, and firm.
In this guide, well discuss the mattress firmness scale, mattress firmness levels, and what firmness rating works best for different sleep preferences and body types.
To learn even more about what to look for in a mattress, check out our comprehensive Best Mattress guide.
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What Happens If A Mattress Is Too Firm
A mattress thats too firm will likely lack an adequate comfort layer, therefore creating pressure points which cause pain. Too much resistance can even knock your spine out of healthy alignment. Watch for lower back and neck pain if you sleep on your back, and shower, hip, and lower back pain if youre a side sleeper.
How Does A Wrong Mattress Cause Back Pain
While it’s always best to consult a doctor on chronic back pain, the cause of your discomfort might be closer to home: in your mattress.
If your mattress is too soft to support your weight it can sag in the middle, which will distort your spine in a way that prevents it from naturally aligning through the night – the repercussions of which will be felt the next day.
As a mattress ages it also starts to lose its ability to effectively support you. This is one of the reasons it’s recommended you replace your mattress every 7 – 8 years.
It’s important to find a mattress that supports you effectively throughout the night. Inadequate support means more pressure is placed on your muscles to support your body, which is why people wake up in the morning with those oh-so familiar aches and pains.
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Mattresses To Avoid If Youre A Side Sleeper
Now that you have a wealth of information about which mattress firmness is best for a side sleeper, its worth taking a moment to consider which mattresses you should absolutely avoid.
Innerspring mattresses with spring coils should be well out of your radar they are hard, unyielding, and will push back against your body, causing discomfort to your pressure points.
You should also stay clear of air and waterbeds as their firmness tends to fluctuate throughout the night, which will make your alignment inconsistent. Waterbeds, in particular, will not give the body the support it needs.
Other considerations when mattress shopping
If this guide has helped you understand which mattress firmness you need, its time for the next stage: going mattress shopping!
As well as the firmness of the mattress, here are some other things you need to consider:
- Do you want a generic or branded mattress? While generic mattresses are cheaper, branded mattresses are made with higher quality materials.
- Is your mattress under warranty? Make sure that your mattress comes with a warranty. Mattress firmness can change over time, but if it begins sagging in the first year, then you should get it replaced under warranty.
- Does your mattress offer a trial period? If youre still debating on which kind of mattress would work best for you, look for brands that offer a 100 day trial period. Try mattresses of varying firmness and see which one your body responds best to.
Whats The Difference Between Firm And Soft
The obvious difference between a firm on soft mattress is the feel. A firm mattress is more rigid to the touch and has less give. A softer mattress will compress more easily when pressure is applied.
Its important to note that mattress feel is not just split into two categories its more of a spectrum. This means theres lots of choice, which can be both a positive and a negative.
All types of mattress can be made from all materials. The firmness or softness of a mattress either depends on the spring tension or general tension of construction within the mattress. However, a mattress can also include an outer layer or some upholstery which affects the perceived firmness. A memory foam topper, for example, can give a superficial feeling of firmness but not actually have the properties of a truly firm mattress.
Both types of mattress exist in a variety of budgets. However, in order to get exactly what you want, it can be worth spending a little extra.
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How Side Sleeping Mattress Can Help You Sleep Better Naturally
Side sleepers generally need a pressure-relieving mattress to protect their joints from this strain. This is an area where latex mattresses tend to shine. It’s a naturally pressure-relieving material, meaning it helps those by your side distribute body weight evenly and relieve pressure on the most sensitive areas.
Plush Mattress: Overview And Benefits
A plush mattress features a thicker comfort layer and a hugging sensation. On a firmness scale of 1-10, these mattresses rank at a 3 or lower.
The responsive design of a soft or plush mattress allows it to contour to your unique body shape while you sleep. This provides a high level of joint and muscle support.
The body cradling element is beneficial for sleepers with sore muscles or areas of built-up tension. Those with arthritis or targeted joint pain may experience soothing nighttime relief when sleeping on a plush mattress.
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Firm Or Plush Mattress: Which Should You Choose
Squishy and soft or solid and firm? Thats the question that every sleeper has to answer for themselves when it comes to selecting the right mattress.
Mattresses differ just as much as sleepers do and there is no singular degree of firmness or plushness that earns the top spot for sound sleep. Its all about personal preferencethose who want to sink into their mattress the way they sink into a warm, welcoming hug will prefer the plush qualities of a soft mattress, while those who want to rest comfortably atop their mattress will love the supportive rigidity of a firmer bed.
So, which is the right mattress for you?
Whether you want the plush softness of our Nova Hybrid or the unwavered firmness of the Wave Hybrid, your mattresses got your back, literally.
Beyond identifying your sleeping preferences, youll want to understand the nuances of both firm and soft mattresses, and how both can be plenty supportive regardless of how squishy the materials are. In this blog, well cover the differences between a plush vs. firm mattress, the benefits of each, and what to consider when making a purchase.
What Kind Of Mattress Should A 2 Year Old Have
Most mattresses for toddlers are either foam or innerspring. As both types are good at conforming to the shape of a toddlers body, either would make a suitable choice. In the end, it comes down to your own personal preference. Foam mattresses have the advantage of being relatively cheap.
Discover more on DecorScan Questions and Answers, and dont forget to share your answers !
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Serafina Pearl Cool Comfort
Best firm cooling mattress
This mattress comprises gel memory foam, which reportedly provides a cool sleep and relieves pressure points. The gel memory foam can help dissipate heat, making this mattress suitable for hot sleepers.
This 14-in mattress features three layers and lets users choose the level of firmness they want, including firm, medium, or plush. The company also offers a 20-year warranty on this product.
These mattresses do not contain ozone depleters, heavy metals, or flame retardants, while the foam is CertiPUR-US certified.
The mattress is available in queen size for $829.99 and king or California King for $999.99.
The Best Mattresses For Each Sleeping Position
Finding a comfortable mattress is crucial. It’s also important to look at whether your mattress correctly supports the way you sleep. Whilst many people switch sleeping position throughout the night, there are three main sleeping positions:
- Side
- Back
- Front
To guarantee you’re getting a great night’s sleep based on how you choose to snooze, read our guide to the best mattress for different sleep positions.
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Do Firm Mattresses Get Softer
If your mattress is firmer than you expected, it may soften up over time. Some mattress materials, such as memory foam, respond to pressure and body heat so they can soften up a little. However, innerspring beds are made of spring coils and have very little foam, so they will not become softer with use.
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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Neck & Shoulder Pains
The most common pains that side sleepers suffer from are neck and shoulder pains.
This is because, as you sleep, tendons rub against your shoulder blades, causing friction and pain.
If you want to stop this from happening, your mattress needs to be soft enough to relieve the pressure on the shoulder so that tendons and shoulder blades are not forced together.
A memory foam mattress would work best, as it will adapt to your unique shoulder and neck placement. Getting a memory foam pillow will also help as it will adapt itself to support your neck in alignment with your shoulder.
What Are The Top 10 Best Mattresses
The 10 Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2019 The Best Memory Foam Mattresses of 2019 10. Olee Sleep Ventilated 8-Inch Foldable Memory Foam Mattress 9. Home Living Full-Size Memory Foam Mattress 10-Inch Refreshing Gel 8. Mattress 12-Inch Zinus Memory Foam Green Tea Green Tea 7. 6 -inch ventilated multilayer memory foam mattress Dream 06FM01T.
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Pressure Relief And Body Contouring
Generally speaking, foam mattresses provide the best pressure relief and body contouring.
If you desire pain relief at key pressure points, look for a mattress that gently conforms to your body when you lie down. This allows for your hips and shoulders to sink in slightly.
A memory foam mattress offers the most pressure relief, but hybrids with foam layers may also work well.
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
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What Type Of Mattress Is Best For People With Low Back Pain
Back pain is one of the top reasons that people begin to lose mobility in middle age. Pain can keep people from engaging in physical activity, making it more difficult for them to maintain a healthy weight and keep up their strength, stamina, and balance as they age. So treating and managing back pain that results from injuries or health problems is crucial for staying on the path of a healthy and active life.
Considering that most people spend roughly a third of their lives lying in bed, choosing the right mattress is essential for managing low back pain. It can make the difference in whether you can sleep at night and function the next day.
In the past, doctors often recommended very firm mattresses. But one survey of 268 people with low back pain found that those who slept on very hard mattresses had the poorest sleep quality. There was no difference in sleep quality between those who used medium-firm and firm mattresses.
Soft mattresses, on the other hand, can also be problematic. While a soft mattress that conforms to your body’s natural curves may help the joints align favorably, you might also sink in so deeply that your joints twist and become painful during the night.
If you want to find out whether a firmer mattress would feel better than the one you’re currently using, try putting a plywood board under your mattress to dampen the movement from the bedsprings, or try placing your mattress on the floor.
Benefits Of Firm Mattresses
Although neither one is more or less equipped to provide support, here are the unique benefits that a firm mattress can offer, though it depends on the exact construction of the bed:
- Even weight distribution Sleepers with a tendency to roll around throughout the night will likely enjoy a mattress that ranks higher on the firmness scale. Rather than sinking into a plush mattress and getting stuck in one spot, theyll be able to find a comfortable position no matter where they toss and turn to because the firm sleep surface supports their body weight evenly across the mattress.
- Motion transfer prevention Ever wondered how to keep mattress from sliding around as you reposition your body throughout the night? If youre concerned about disrupting a partner by tossing and turning while you sleep, a firm mattress can help minimize the transfer of disruptive movement from one side of the bed to the other. However, this also has a lot to do with how the internal layers are constructed and assembled.
- Lower back support Back and stomach sleepers especially can benefit from a firmer mattress because it lifts the hips and aligns the spine, which allows the muscles to fully relax. Sinking too deeply into a mattress can put excess pressure on the back, neck, and spine, which adds to rather than alleviates the tension.
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Choose Your Mattress Firmness By Sleeping Position
A guide to what side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers should look for in terms of mattress firmness.
Helpful Resources
At Mattress Advisor, youll find comprehensive, unbiased reviews on the best mattresses and bedding products and thoroughly researched tips for getting your best sleep.
Among the various considerations when purchasing a mattress, firmness ranks at the top of the list along with material and price. For most people, firmness equates to how comfortable the mattress is for sleeping. Some people prefer a soft mattress, others a very firm mattress, but the majority of us, roughly 80%, prefer a medium-firm mattress.
When it comes to firmness preference, the experience of what is comfortable is as individual as we are. There are, however, guidelines on firmness depending on the sleep position you enjoy, and these guidelines can save you a lot of work, especially if you are buying a mattress online and cant try it out beforehand.
Although most online companies have sleep trials to test out your bed, you may want a pretty good idea before ordering. Finding your best firmness, and thus your most comfortable mattress, is the goal, so lets better understand mattress firmness and what will work best for your sleep position.
