Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to rest, and heal, both your body and mind. To make sure you are able to fall into a deep, restful sleep, you need to buy the right mattress for your sleeping style. Here are some tips for buying the correct mattress for your sleeping habits.
Replacing Mattresses
While most mattresses last quite a few years, they do need to be replaced periodically because they wear out and become uncomfortable. Even with flipping the mattress to prolong its life, the average mattress is only designed to last nine to ten years, but even if you have one which is newer, you should replace it if you don’t sleep well. When mattress shopping, buy one suited to your sleeping style, because not everyone sleeps well on their backs.
Back Sleepers
If you prefer to sleep on your back, you should look for a mattress which is medium-firm, such as an innerspring mattress. Back sleepers need support for their lower back during the night, but a firm mattress can be uncomfortable because it can press into your back. A soft mattress doesn’t supply the proper support for either the back, or your body, so you may wake up aching the next morning. You should buy a mattress which properly supports the body in a neutral position to keep the spine aligned.
Stomach Sleepers
For people who sleep on their stomachs, a firmer, stiffer mattress works best because it supports the entire body. A soft or medium-firm mattress may sink beneath your weight, even though you are not overweight. Many stomach sleepers suffer from lower back pain, which is the main reason they sleep on their stomachs. They need a mattress to support their entire body and keep their back in alignment.
Side Sleepers
Sleeping on the side is the most common sleeping style, and requires a softer mattress to keep from putting pressure on the hips and shoulders. A softer mattress will allow the body to sink into it a bit to prevent pressure points. However, if you’re a larger person, a mattress that is too soft can cause you to not have any body support. A pillow top mattress is a good option, but side sleepers need a thicker memory foam layer.
Toss and Turners
Some people will end up sleeping in all of the above positions during the night, which makes it hard for them to buy a mattress for a good night’s sleep. You want to avoid a stiff mattress for times you are on your side and a soft mattress for when you’re on the stomach. Finding a mattress that is just right can be difficult, but many people like a memory foam mattress because it conforms to the body, no matter what position you’re in.
When purchasing a new mattress, buy the best one in your budget range. Picking out a mattress based on cost can end up being bad for your body, and you can easily lose many nights rest by being cheap.
