Sleeping Positions: A Mattress That Fits You

Standing in the middle of a mattress showroom can be daunting. Like Goldilocks, you test one mattress, but it’s too firm. Another, too soft. Maybe even one has seemed to retain the heat of another customer and now you’re feeling a little sweaty after testing it out. 

When you’re looking for a new mattress and with it being such a big investment, you want to make sure you get the right fit. One thing to consider is also how you sleep. 

Sleeping positions are a big factor when choosing a mattress. While many researchers, doctors, and even chiropractors have different opinions on what’s best for your spine, it’s not necessarily the most realistic change to make. 

Instead finding a mattress that takes care of you and is adjusted to your unique way of sleeping will be helpful for your long term health. 

Stomach Sleepers

Stomach sleepers get the brunt of articles and talking points discussing the harm of sleeping on your stomach. Unlike side and back sleeping, stomach sleeping doesn’t provide many benefits for the sleeper. It can help with keeping your airways open to avoid heavy snoring or even sleep apnea at night. 

While people can find sleeping on their stomach very comfortable, as we get older, the strain the position will cause on your back will likely increase. This is why you would want to work with a Gardner Mattress Associate to find a mattress that is comfortable, but also firm. A mattress that sinks too soon will eventually cause you to wake up with pain in your back, shoulders, and neck. Partially because you’re sinking into it. 

You will also want to make sure the pillows you’re using to support your head at night are flat. That seems counterintuitive to the beautiful fluffy pillows that people usually adorn their bed with, but if you have a pillow that’s too large or firm, it could hurt your neck as you sleep. 

Side Sleepers

For side sleepers, this might be a bit more tricky. The benefit of side sleeping is that it could aid in digestion and reduce snoring. But feeling an ache in your left side everyday does seem to negate any and all benefits. 

Since multiple points of your body that need different types of support will be pressed against the mattress, it’s a good idea to think about what you dislike currently in your mattress and make a list. That way you don’t forget as the day goes on and your sore muscles start to find relief until bedtime again. By having a list ready when talking with a Gardner Mattress Associate, it’ll make it easier to let them know exactly what’s going on. 

For side sleepers having a mattress that molds to your body will help alleviate pain. A memory foam mattress will most likely be the best bet for you. Another factor is also the firmness of the memory foam and where your body needs the most support.

If you’re feeling hip pain through the night, you’ll also want to consider buying a pillow to place in between your knees as you sleep. Why? Because having a pillow, even one specifically made to cradle your knees, will help support your hips and the posture of your lower body while you sleep on your side. 

Back Sleepers

Ah! The considered kings of good sleep posture, back sleepers receive the most praise. This isn’t without evidence. Healthline pointed out regarding the benefits of back sleeping as: 

• keeps your spine aligned

• reduces tension headaches

• helps chronic conditions by reducing pressure

• and compression

• relieves sinus buildup

• avoid creases, wrinkles, and irritated facial skin

That doesn’t mean you don’t need a supportive mattress though. One thing to consider is that the mattress you lay on every night needs to still be the right fit for you. Otherwise, you could have pain in your neck, shoulders, and back. Even your legs could start to feel restless. 

This could be due to your older, less well designed mattress causing a dip in some areas. With no support to the parts of your body that are heaviest, you’re bound to feel tension in your body. One way to correct this is choosing a medium to firm mattress. 

In addition to a supportive mattress, having pillows for parts of your body other than your head can be the key to a well rested sleep. Raising your legs up with a wedge pillow can help relieve any restless or painful feelings that could be due to reduced circulation to your lower half at night. 

How to Choose

While boxed mattresses can be really appealing, they may not be longer investment pieces. This could be due to wear and tear, dips appearing after a year of use, or a slew of other problems. It could also be that the mattress you chose isn’t the right fit for you. That’s okay though because we’re here to help. 

At Gardner Mattress, you can choose from a variety of different mattresses. You can choose to shop our natural collection or traditional mattresses made of a variety of materials. Working with us also lets you have the ability to customize your mattress and the materials you want. 

You can choose the type of size you’d like from a twin size to a California King. The upholstery also has numerous options ranging from traditional foam to organic latex.  

And remember that while you sleep,  you will also need the right amount of support varies from sleeper to sleeper. Luckily, there are a lot of options, so you can find the right fit for your body.

• Innerspring Mattress — With an innerspring mattress, coils are connected throughout the entire mattress. This provides both softness and support, however, there’s more motion transfer with this type of mattress than others.

• Pocketed Coil Mattress — For a firmer choice, you may want a pocketed coil mattress. These mattresses have the coils individually wrapped in pockets of soft material. This reduces the ripple effect while still retaining the support you expect from a spring mattress. Whether you choose innerspring or pocketed coils, consider finding out more about the gauge of the coil. Higher numbers such as 18 indicate thinner coils, while lower numbers such as 12 indicate thicker, firmer coils.

• Memory Foam — These mattresses feature a polyurethane core and they have less spring than innerspring and pocket coil mattresses. The thickness can vary, and the thicker the mattress is, the more you’ll sink in. While looking at these mattresses, check out the density. Five pounds per cubic foot is high quality, while three pounds per square inch or below is a budget option that won’t provide support as long.

• Latex Mattress — Offering similar amounts of support as memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses are long lasting. Although they are often more expensive than other mattresses, latex mattresses are an investment. They can often stay comfortable for up to 20 years.

In the end there are both pros and cons to each sleep position, and some will come more naturally to you than others. Knowing this, picking a mattress that will fit your natural habits will be better for you in the long run because your mattress should ideally last you 8 to 10 years. Yes, buying a mattress can be a big investment. But it’s an investment in your well-being and one of the most important functions of our lives: getting a good night’s sleep.