Ensure your mattress never gives you restless nights again
October 2024Best Mattress for Each Sleeping Position
While elements like mattress size, type, and firmness are vital considerations, it can easily be argued that sleeping position is one of the biggest factors when choosing a mattress. There are three main sleeping positions: side, back, and front. So, let’s ensure you get the best possible night’s sleep and break down which is the best mattress for each sleeping position.
How Mattresses Affect Different Sleeping Positions
Sleeping on a mattress that does not agree with your sleeping position may cause a lot more problems than you realise. In addition to minor discomfort, it can lead to long-term back (more specifically, lower back), hip, and shoulder pain. A mattress that does not suit you will result in countless restless nights of sleep, affecting your overall physical and mental health.
These issues are largely caused by the parts of your body that press the most against your mattress. Different sleeping positions affect different pressure points. This means that the best mattress for you will depend greatly on your own individual needs for comfort and support.
Best Mattress For Side Sleepers
A recent study found that over 46% of people in the UK sleep on their side, which makes it the most popular sleeping position in the country. The position is an excellent choice for pregnant women as well as those suffering from heartburn and digestive difficulties. However, many side sleepers suffer needlessly because they don’t have a mattress that suits their position.
Sleeping on a mattress that is not suitable for side sleepers can leave you with frequent neck, shoulder, and back pain. The wrong mattress will lead to misalignment and spinal curvature. This can cause you to wake up with pain in your shoulders and hips, or numbness in your legs or arms.
Best Mattress Firmness For Side Sleepers
It’s usually recommended that soft or medium mattresses are best for side sleepers. This is because they allow for plenty of give to contour to your body’s natural curvature and keep your spine aligned, providing maximum comfort to your pressure points.
A mattress that is too firm may push against your body, making your body misaligned, forcing you into uncomfortable positions, and potentially causing spinal problems. On the flip side, a mattress that is too soft may not offer appropriate support. If the mattress is too soft, certain body parts may sag into the mattress; this will also cause the body to misalign. While soft and medium mattresses are highly recommended for side sleepers, the exact firmness will still depend on your unique attributes and needs.
Best Mattress Type For Side Sleepers
When it comes to the best mattress types for side sleepers, there are a few options. One of the best is a pocket-sprung mattress. Pocket-sprung mattresses are great for side sleepers because they provide targeted support and pressure relief. Each pocket spring operates independently, which means the mattress contours more closely to the body’s curves, especially around the shoulders and hips, where side sleepers tend to exert the most pressure.
Another popular choice is memory foam. Memory foam mattresses provide pressure relief and gently contour to your unique body shape. Gel mattresses will also give you that ‘sinking’ feeling you can sometimes get with foam-based mattresses. This translates to personalised care for your shoulders and hips, although memory foam mattresses come with a lot of other drawbacks. Unless your budget is extremely limited, we wouldn’t recommend them.
Other side sleepers sometimes opt for a hybrid mattress, which combines two different types of mattress for enhanced comfort levels.
Best Pillow For Side Sleepers
Your sleeping experience wouldn’t be complete without a comfortable and supportive pillow. The best pillow for side sleepers will need to provide the right amount of height. This is to ensure that the neck stays in line with the pillow. A pillow that’s too soft will inevitably lead to the head dipping. Anything too high will tend to bend your neck, which will lead to all manner of neck, shoulder, and back problems.
Any medium or firm pillow is recommended for side sleepers. You may also need a deeper pillow, especially if you have big shoulders.
Best Mattress For Back Sleepers
While sleeping on your back is not the most popular choice, there are still many back sleepers in the UK. Sleeping on your back is advised to be one of, if not the most, healthy sleeping position. Sleeping on your back means your spine is naturally aligned, and sleeping in a flat, straight position prevents overall pressure on your body.
As a back sleeper, you will need more support than a side sleeper. In fact, you will need the most support out of all of the sleeping positions! If you are a back sleeper, you should not accept that back pain will be inevitable because of your choice of sleeping position. Many instances of back problems in back sleepers are a direct result of inappropriate mattresses.
Best Firmness For Back Sleepers
Because back sleepers need more support, a slightly firmer mattress is often better. You will want your mattress to offer as much support as possible, keeping your body flat and aligned. As such, a medium or firm mattress is recommended.
However, before you go running out to find the firmest mattress you can find, the mattress will still need to have an element of “give” to it. Otherwise, this can put pressure on your joints. A firmer mattress is indeed recommended for heavier sleepers, but not necessarily for lighter ones. The exact firmness is largely dependent on your individual needs.
Best Mattress Type For Back Sleepers
Once again, the most highly recommended mattress type for back sleepers is a pocket-sprung mattress. They contain individual springs that are cushioned in their own pockets of material (with filling) to provide support across the body and suitable comfort for back sleepers. They also distribute weight evenly and are sturdy enough to prevent ‘roll together’ (which refers to what happens when you and your sleeping partner roll into the middle of the bed and meet each other).
Best Pillow For Back Sleepers
If you sleep on your back, you don’t need your pillow to be as deep as a side sleeper’s pillow. This is because your head and neck will practically be aligned with your spine already. This means a medium comfort is advised. If your pillow is too firm, it will add too much height to the neck, and if the pillow is too soft your head won’t be cushioned effectively. Popular pillow types that offer enough bounce and comfort include hollow fibre or wool pillows.
Best Mattress For Front Sleepers
Despite the fact that it’s not really recommended to sleep on your front (because it can cause health issues), there are still a significant number of front sleepers in the UK. The biggest issue facing front sleepers is the excessive pressure on their shoulders and neck during sleep, which will only be exacerbated by an inappropriate mattress.
Best Mattress Firmness For Front Sleepers
Because stomach sleepers require a certain level of support, a firmer mattress is often recommended. If the mattress is too soft, your torso will sink into the mattress and start arching your spine, leading to aches, pains, and avoidable back problems. This being said, if your mattress is too firm it won’t let your spine fall into its natural curve and also cause discomfort. It’s a delicate balancing act!
All of this is why a medium, medium-firm, or firm mattress is recommended. You may choose a medium mattress if you prefer a balance between comfort and support. A medium mattress may also be preferred if you sleep with a partner and they prefer a soft mattress. A firmer mattress will provide a slightly firmer feel and offer more support. As we’ve already said, firmer mattresses are also ideal for heavier sleepers.
Best Mattress Type For Front Sleepers
Unsurprisingly, pocket-sprung mattresses are a great choice for front sleepers! When sleeping on your stomach, your back is at risk of arching. However, with a pocket-sprung mattress, the springs are housed individually and ensure only the points of contact respond to your body. This provides the correct support and ensures the mattress doesn’t sag unnecessarily.
Other popular choices include memory foam and hybrid mattresses. Memory foam mattresses mould and contour to your body shape and can suit front sleepers, but we wouldn’t consider them to be the optimal pick. Hybrid or combination mattresses are also options that sometimes get talked about. Combination mattresses combine the support of spring technology with the comfort and responsiveness of memory foam.
Best Pillow For Front Sleepers
In direct contradiction to the suggested mattress firmness for front sleepers, the best pillow for front sleepers should be soft. As a front sleeper, you must keep your head as flat as possible. If your head is levitated, even slightly, it can effectively bend your neck backwards, causing discomfort and spinal alignment issues. You will want a pillow that you can fully sink into. As such, a soft pillow is recommended.
Quality Mattresses, Regardless of Your Sleeping Position
At John Ryan, we stock all manner of comfortable, supportive, and high-quality mattresses. From soft to firm mattresses to versatile pocket-sprung mattresses, we’ll have a mattress to suit your needs. If you’d like more information or guidance towards a better night’s sleep, then please contact us today. You can also have a look at our dedicated guides for more in-depth information about the various sleeping positions.
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