How to Select a Mattress That's Right for Your Physiology
A good night's sleep is easy to achieve when you know how to choose the right mattress. Here are the smart tips
The secret to clocking those precious hours of sleep isn’t in the bed you choose; it’s the mattress. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or tummy, the perfect mattress is one that supports your body in a neutral position, where your head, shoulders, rear end, spine, and heels are supported in proper alignment.
Sounds simple in theory, but add the huge selection of mattress types and toppers to the equation and it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed. To help you out, here’s a brief rundown on how to choose the right mattress for your sleeping posture.
Sounds simple in theory, but add the huge selection of mattress types and toppers to the equation and it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed. To help you out, here’s a brief rundown on how to choose the right mattress for your sleeping posture.
Back sleepers
Back sleepers are most prone to back pain and spinal stress so it’s important to look for mattresses that provide more support.
Generally speaking, the heavier you are, the more stress you place on your spine throughout the night, hence requiring a more supportive mattress. If you regularly sleep on your back, look for an inner pocketed spring mattress or a latex mattress if you’re more heavyset. If you suffer from lower back pain, opt for a firmer latex mattress.
Back sleepers are most prone to back pain and spinal stress so it’s important to look for mattresses that provide more support.
Generally speaking, the heavier you are, the more stress you place on your spine throughout the night, hence requiring a more supportive mattress. If you regularly sleep on your back, look for an inner pocketed spring mattress or a latex mattress if you’re more heavyset. If you suffer from lower back pain, opt for a firmer latex mattress.
Side sleepers
Sleeping on your side is the most widely recommended sleeping posture: it reduces acid reflux, reduces pressure on your lungs and spine, and allows blood to circulate better. It does, however, add stress to arms, shoulders, and hips, so again, it’s important to select a mattress that provides enough support and cushion for these pressure points.
Depending on the sleeper’s weight, look for a mattress with medium density foam to adequately support the extra stress on the shoulders.
Sleeping on your side is the most widely recommended sleeping posture: it reduces acid reflux, reduces pressure on your lungs and spine, and allows blood to circulate better. It does, however, add stress to arms, shoulders, and hips, so again, it’s important to select a mattress that provides enough support and cushion for these pressure points.
Depending on the sleeper’s weight, look for a mattress with medium density foam to adequately support the extra stress on the shoulders.
Tummy sleepers
Speak to most mattress promoters and they’ll tell you to change your sleeping habits once they hear you’re a tummy sleeper. Sleeping on your stomach places a lot of stress on your spine, so avoid coiled spring mattresses and opt for a latex mattress or a memory foam topper that falls on the firmer side.
Mattresses that are too soft will allow your body to sink into the bed, thus putting more stress on the spine. Conversely, mattresses that are too firm will prevent your spine from relaxing into its natural arc and also cause aches and pains.
Speak to most mattress promoters and they’ll tell you to change your sleeping habits once they hear you’re a tummy sleeper. Sleeping on your stomach places a lot of stress on your spine, so avoid coiled spring mattresses and opt for a latex mattress or a memory foam topper that falls on the firmer side.
Mattresses that are too soft will allow your body to sink into the bed, thus putting more stress on the spine. Conversely, mattresses that are too firm will prevent your spine from relaxing into its natural arc and also cause aches and pains.
Sleeping with a partner
Selecting a mattress for your lonesome self is hard enough, but sleeping with a partner and finding the perfect mattress that works for both of you is exceptionally tricky. The primary priority for most couples is a mattress that reduces motion transfer. If there is a significant weight difference between partners, look for a firmer mattress to support the heavier person and purchase an additional latex mattress topper to provide support and comfort for the lighter one. High density foam toppers should be at least 7.5 centimetres thick to absorb movement.
While memory foam mattresses and toppers relieve pain and comfort by contouring to your body while absorbing movement (which reduces the risk of waking your partner if you’re having a particularly restless night), they’re also notoriously heat-sensitive and known to retain body heat. An alternative is to consider natural latex or microgel mattress toppers, which disperse heat, absorb movement, and provide extra support and cushioning.
Selecting a mattress for your lonesome self is hard enough, but sleeping with a partner and finding the perfect mattress that works for both of you is exceptionally tricky. The primary priority for most couples is a mattress that reduces motion transfer. If there is a significant weight difference between partners, look for a firmer mattress to support the heavier person and purchase an additional latex mattress topper to provide support and comfort for the lighter one. High density foam toppers should be at least 7.5 centimetres thick to absorb movement.
While memory foam mattresses and toppers relieve pain and comfort by contouring to your body while absorbing movement (which reduces the risk of waking your partner if you’re having a particularly restless night), they’re also notoriously heat-sensitive and known to retain body heat. An alternative is to consider natural latex or microgel mattress toppers, which disperse heat, absorb movement, and provide extra support and cushioning.
Mattresses for kids
When selecting a mattress for kids, bear two things in mind: you need something that provides sufficient weight support, but you don’t want anything that impedes development.
Generally speaking, children below the age of 10 can use a medium-density bonnell spring mattress. Parents who are concerned about chemicals that are emitted by flame retardants or mould inhibitors can look to natural latex mattresses, which also come in organic versions.
When selecting a mattress for kids, bear two things in mind: you need something that provides sufficient weight support, but you don’t want anything that impedes development.
Generally speaking, children below the age of 10 can use a medium-density bonnell spring mattress. Parents who are concerned about chemicals that are emitted by flame retardants or mould inhibitors can look to natural latex mattresses, which also come in organic versions.
Mattresses for seniors
Before purchasing a new mattress for senior citizens, it’s important to factor in sleep history and any illnesses. Seniors suffering from poor blood circulation in the legs may require an adjustable bed, for instance, while those suffering from neck or shoulder pain may require a softer, more cocooning mattress.
Most seniors do well with spring mattresses with a high coil count, but some seniors may prefer the feel of memory foam as they effectively eliminate stress on pressure points. In any case, always look for mattresses with a low-profile to make it easy to get in and out of bed.
Before purchasing a new mattress for senior citizens, it’s important to factor in sleep history and any illnesses. Seniors suffering from poor blood circulation in the legs may require an adjustable bed, for instance, while those suffering from neck or shoulder pain may require a softer, more cocooning mattress.
Most seniors do well with spring mattresses with a high coil count, but some seniors may prefer the feel of memory foam as they effectively eliminate stress on pressure points. In any case, always look for mattresses with a low-profile to make it easy to get in and out of bed.
Ethnicraft Oak
Mattress buying tips
Doing the research is the hard bit. What comes next is much more comfortable:
Doing the research is the hard bit. What comes next is much more comfortable:
- Before pulling the trigger, test drive your mattress thoroughly by spending at least 15 minutes on the bed in your various sleeping positions. Bring your regular pillow (if you have one), and if you’re sharing the bed with a partner, it is crucial you both try the bed at the same time.
- Evaluate every seven years. All good things come to an end and a mattress’s life span averages 7 to 10 years. Replace your mattress (and topper) accordingly.
Help fund new mattresses for the Ju Eng Home for Senior Citizens at the PickJunction Jamboree.
Happening 21 Jan 2017 from 11am to 5pm, the PickJunction Jamboree celebrates the launch of The PickJunction Experiential Centre with free treats, booze, workshops, and plenty more. In true community spirit, PickJunction will also run a do-good campaign aiming to purchase new mattresses for the residents of the Ju Eng Home. All you need to do is rock up and have fun – no dime required!
TELL US
Value quality rest? Let us know what you do to ensure that you get your forty winks.
Happening 21 Jan 2017 from 11am to 5pm, the PickJunction Jamboree celebrates the launch of The PickJunction Experiential Centre with free treats, booze, workshops, and plenty more. In true community spirit, PickJunction will also run a do-good campaign aiming to purchase new mattresses for the residents of the Ju Eng Home. All you need to do is rock up and have fun – no dime required!
TELL US
Value quality rest? Let us know what you do to ensure that you get your forty winks.
Latex, memory foam, pocket springs, bonnell springs, waterbeds… the daunting world of mattresses can be vast and confusing.
There are tons of dedicated resources to navigating the mattress world, but here are some basics you need to know before you hit the ground running.