Picking the Right Mattress for Your Body’s Needs

The importance of a good night’s sleep isn’t something we should underestimate. During the night, our bodies are restored, which helps us to be more functional and rejuvenated the following day. One of the most integral parts of our sleeping patterns is our mattress, as without the right comfort, our sleep could suffer, and so could our bodies.

In order to get the best night’s sleep, it’s important that you choose the right mattress for you. 9 out of 10 American’s said that their mattress was one of the most important parts of their sleep, which just demonstrates how vital a role a mattress plays in our overall health. But how do you know what mattress is going to be best for you?

Selecting the Right Mattress

When you start looking for a new mattress you’ll find there is a wide variety available (Best Beds Boutique has info on all of the different types). Equally, if you go into a shop you’ll see lots of different mattresses displayed – but this isn’t just to fill the shop out and make it look good. Instead, these mattresses have been put out so you can try them before you buy them. And no, this doesn’t mean carefully sitting on the edge of the mattress to see how it feels.

Using a mattress involves sleeping on it, which means lying down, so you need to lie down on each mattress to see how comfortable they are. And, if you’re shopping with your partner, you should both lie down on the same mattress at the same time to see how it supports both of you. Try to lie here for up to 10 minutes so you can tell if you’re going to be comfortable or not.

Whilst you’re lying there, you’ll need to look out for two important features – support and comfort. To get the right support you should find that when you’re lying on your back, your spine retains its natural curve but whilst you’re lying on your side, your spine is straight. For comfort, you should be getting this from the padding of the mattress, and this should adjust to the shape of your body, cushioning the support that’s underneath it (e.g. springs).

Understanding the Types of Mattresses Available

Before you go shopping for your mattress, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with what mattresses are available. But be aware that what might sound the most comfortable might not be for your particular body shape, so always try them first!

A Firm Mattress: You’ll generally find that these types of mattresses don’t come with any extra padding and will have a flat top. They’re one of the harder mattresses that are available and are normally recommended for those who suffer from lower back pain.

A Cushion Firm Mattress: These mattresses are also quite firm but come with a bit more cushioning to the top. Again, they’re great for those who suffer from lower back pain but need a little bit more comfort from their mattress.

A Plush Mattress: They’re called “plush” because they offer you a little bit more comfort and some luxury support. They’re a softer style of mattress and have extra foam that’s layered on top of the coils to provide this added comfort.

A Memory Foam Mattress: Initially, memory foam was an expensive luxury that many people couldn’t afford but with its increased popularity, prices have started to lower. These types of mattresses are made from polyurethane which makes them softer in warmer temperatures and firmer in cooler ones. It is this reaction to temperature that allows a memory foam mattress to react to the shape of your body as the heat you produce will mold the memory foam around you.

This provides far more support, with the mattress being much denser than others. When looking at this particular mattress in a shop, it’s important to remember that it can take around 15 minutes for the mattress to adjust to your body heat and settle into shape. Therefore, even though it may feel too soft initially, it might not after 15 minutes, so make sure you allow for this when trying this type of mattress. Memory foam overlays are also available, which you could place over your existing mattress to prolong its lifespan.

The most important thing you need to do when picking the right mattress is to listen to your body and what it needs. To make sure you’re going to be comfortable on your mattress for many years to come, always spend a good amount of time lying on the mattress to determine which will be best for you.  

Abby Howe works at a sleep lab and has learned so much since she started about sleep conditions as well as how important it is to choose the correct mattress. She writes about getting a good night’s sleep in her articles, and when your sleep pattern needs to be checked out by an expert.