Finding a new mattress can be hard, especially if you do not know what you’re supposed to be looking for. You will need a mattress buying checklist in order to choose the right one. Between materials, thickness, size, and price, there are a ton of variables to keep track of.
Whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper, your preferred sleeping position is a big factor that should go into your mattress decision. We will say right at the outset that innerspring mattresses are probably the best if you sleep in multiple positions as they are generally the most versatile.
We have put together this comprehensive guide on how to choose the perfect mattress according to your sleeping position. Read on!
Back Sleepers
Most experts agree that sleeping on your back is the best for your health. Several studies have shown that sleeping on your back is associated with less reported back pain in seniors and it is known that sleeping on your back helps you breathe the most consistently.
If you are a back sleeper, you primarily need something that will keep your spine in alignment. That means a mattress with good support and that is medium firmness. Higher-density memory foams and latex mattresses are especially effective here. Sleeping with your back flat against the mattress can trap heat and make you sweaty, so you want to make sure you get something that can breathe well and stays cool, like this memory foam gel mattress from Classic Brands.
Side Sleepers
Although the health effects of sleeping on your side are not well understood, most experts agree that if you are going to sleep on your side, you need something that provides a lot of cushion and support. Sleeping on your sides creates curves, which presents more opportunities to put pressure and tension on your body. So you will need something that fits your curvature but does not let you sage too much.
In our opinion, latex mattresses are the king here. Latex provides the perfect balance of giving and support so you body rests naturally in a side position without creating tension in your neck, hips, and knees. Latex is also very durable and is more resistant to changing shape. This is a great feature as sleeping on your side would otherwise create more indents and deeper impressions the more you sleep on your side.
Stomach Sleepers
Many experts agree that sleeping on your stomach is not very good for your health as it can put stress on your back and neck, can affect your spinal alignment and can cause digestive problems. However, some people are just more comfortable sleeping on their stomachs and who are we to tell them they are wrong?
Stomach sleeping can cause back pain as your back arches and puts pressure on the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. So if you are going to sleep on your stomach, you need something firm that keeps your body flat. Memory foam, latex, and innerspring mattress all work well here, as long as they are high on the firmness scale. It is also a smart idea to add a body pillow to make sure you are not putting too much pressure on your stomach and sternum.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Really Need a New Mattress Now?
First, you need to figure out if you really need a new mattress. Mattresses can fail in two major ways; either they are too old and start to fall apart or they are made out of harsh materials that are not good for your health. An average premium mattress should last you at least 8 years and can last you as long as 12 years if maintained properly. As the quality of mattress decrease, so does its lifespan. For example, a cheap memory foam mattress may only last about 3 years while a bamboo memory foam mattress might last up to 10 years.
Alternatively, the problem with your mattress might be that it contains allergens that disturb you when you sleep. Many people report having allergies to polyester, memory foam, and other synthetic materials, and some people are very sensitive to the odor from synthetic mattresses.
What Is Your Budget?
Mattresses range in price from a measly $100 air mattress to an exquisitely crafted $5,000 memory foam mattress that is adjustable, temperature-controlled, and that will pick up your dry cleaning (that last one was a joke, but you get the picture). Most shoppers will be able to find a quality mattress under $1000 easily. Mattresses also vary in price based on their size with smaller mattresses predictably costing less than larger mattresses.
Mattress materials influence the price more than any other factor. Innerspring mattresses, for example, are generally less expensive than hybrid mattresses, and most of the cheapest mattresses seem to be foam (some of the most expensive mattresses are foam as well).
In general, you can expect that the more you pay, the longer your mattress will last. By the same token, the price-point of any mattress will be related to its durability and materials. For instance, since foam density plays a role in memory foam mattress longevity, low-density foam mattresses are usually cheaper. With latex, cheaper mattresses will usually be made from synthetic rubber rather than natural rubber.
Buying a mattress is a big decision as a nice mattress costs a pretty penny and will be with you for years. But as long as you go in armed with the right knowledge, you shouldn’t have any problems figuring out which mattress works for you. Remember these tips, do your research, and you will get that quality sleep you deserve.
Author’s bio:
Chris Nguyen is the Founder & Publisher at Sleep Standards – A health blog that provides research-based sleep health advice, actionable sleep tips, and unbiased sleep product reviews. He aims to inspire better sleep and make the world of sleep easy to understand for everyday people. Check out SleepStandards.com to find out more about Chris and his work.
