How to Choose the Perfect Mattress for Your Sleep Style

Finding the right mattress isn’t just about comfort; it’s about matching your sleep style to the ideal materials and support. While your sleep style can be a number of things, including how much you move in your sleep and specific needs, your sleeping position is a major factor. Each position comes with its own comfort and health benefits, but only if you’re sleeping on the right kind of mattress. 

Whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper, here’s a guide to help you select the perfect mattress for a good night’s rest.

Side Sleepers: Pressure Relief is Key

Side sleeping in one of the most popular sleep styles out there. This position comes with numerous health benefits, including reducing acid reflux and breathing issues. It’s especially recommended for pregnant women as it takes pressure off of their spine.

However, side sleepers end up with more pressure put on their hips, shoulders, and knees. This means that a mattress with excellent pressure relief is essential. A medium-soft to medium-firm mattress with a plush top layer can help cushion these points. Go for a mattress that has Talalay latex or memory foam that will take the pressure off of your points and reduce strain on your body.

Back Sleepers: Balance and Support

The second most popular sleep style, back sleepers benefit from better posture and a supported neck. This is especially beneficial for those who suffer from chronic back pain, as with the proper supportive mattress, they wake up with less stiffness and pain. The drawback is that back sleepers are more likely to suffer certain breathing problems, like sleep apnea.  

Back sleepers require a mattress that supports the natural curve of the spine. This makes a medium-firm mattress with even weight distribution ideal. In particular, innerspring mattresses or hybrids offer excellent support while maintaining comfort. Gardner’s hand-tufted innerspring mattresses provide the firm yet comfortable support back sleepers require. Another option is an adjustable base for your bed, as you can enjoy sleeping on your back but at an incline to reduce breathing obstructions and reduce pressure on your shoulders.

Stomach Sleepers: Firmness Matters

While sleeping on your stomach is the least common sleep style, those who sleep in this position swear by it. It’s been shown to reduce snoring, and aid digestion, as it avoids airway obstructions and allows your digestive system to stretch out. The downside comes from the potential strain stomach sleeping can put on your back, neck, and joints if you’re not supported properly.

Stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress to prevent the midsection from sinking. This is what causes strain on the lower back as the spine goes out of alignment. To fix this, we recommend firm innerspring mattresses that still have plush layers of batting at the top. This offers both softness and support so you’ll sleep soundly on your stomach.

Gardner Mattress offers handcrafted, customizable options made with high-quality, natural materials. Whether you need a plush mattress for pressure relief or a firm option for spinal alignment, our expert team will help you find the perfect fit.