All of us desire a good night’s sleep. Here’s where choosing the right mattress can help ensure a serene slumber all night long.
When you’re getting a new bed, it’s crucial to invest in a high quality mattress. As we spend a third of lives sleeping, a suitable mattress will help you sleep better and thus improve your physical, mental and emotional well-being. Here are some tips to arm yourself with when you go shopping for a new mattress.
1 Test for comfort and support
Make sure that the surface is both comfortable and supportive of your spine and posture. This means your spine should be in its natural curvature while you lie down flat on the bed. Have someone put his or her hand behind the small of your back. If the person’s hand can move easily in the back without any gaps, the mattress is suitable for your posture. If there is a gap in between, the mattress is too hard and not supporting your back properly. If the person cannot get his or hand under your back, the mattress is too soft which causes your back to round up. Also lie on your side and stomach and examine if it’s comfortable for you. Always take your time when shopping for a new mattress.
2 Find a mattress that suits your sleep style
How do you sleep? Some of us like sleeping on the back, some can only fall asleep when they are turned to one side and there are others who sleep soundly on their stomach. Your sleeping style is an essential factor when choosing the right kind of mattress.
For side sleepers: Get a soft or plush sleeping surface. With extra cushioning, you can prevent pressure-induced discomfort in your shoulders and hips. Plush mattresses offer extra comfort and plush support without the need for additional pillowtop padding.
For back sleepers: Opt for firm or extra firm mattresses as these help to support your back. Firm mattresses generally have a flatter top with no additional padding. Some of them also come with a firm edge support.
For stomach sleepers: Go for a slightly firmer surface so that your spine is properly aligned.
For those who with a combination of sleep styles: You may want to select something that is neither too firm nor too soft so it gives you the flexibility to support your different positions.
3 Consider your sleeping partner
Movements and motion transfers are something to consider if you share your bed with another person. You definitely don’t want a mattress that bounces and shakes each time your partner roll to the side or gets up from the bed. Memory foam mattress can help to isolate movements to one side of the bed. You can also go for a hybrid of springs and foam as they usually come with transitional foam that alleviates motion.
Check out our Top 5 Mattress Brands in 2018 post for more ideas.