Finding a comfortable mattress is important for the quality of one’s sleep. Equally important is to determine if the mattress supports one’s sleeping position. Although most people change positions during sleep, there are three basic positions:
1. On the side
2. On the stomach
3. On the back
How the mattress affects sleep position
A mattress that doesn’t suit your sleeping position can cause more problems than you might think—such as pain in the back, hips, shoulders, or neck. This is because certain areas of our bodies experience more pressure than others.
Different sleeping positions affect different pressure points. Ultimately, the best mattress for you is one that combines comfort with proper support. To choose the ideal mattress based on your sleeping position, you need to consider two main factors:
1. The mattress construction material
2. The mattress firmness
The ideal mattress for side sleepers
For people who sleep on their sides, the ideal mattress is one with pocket spring coils and a soft material (comfort layer) on top, making it quite a soft mattress. The thicker the layer of soft material used, the better! Using this material will help the mattress contour to your body, allowing you to sleep on your side comfortably.
Such mattresses—often called “hybrid mattresses”—reduce pressure on the hips and shoulders, helping to avoid pain in those areas as well as numbness in the arms.
Side sleeping is one of the most common sleep positions. It’s an excellent position for pregnant women and those suffering from digestive disorders. Types of mattresses that can be an ideal choice for side sleepers include:
– Memory foam
– Gel
– Latex
– Pillow top
The ideal mattress for back sleepers
For people who sleep on their backs, it’s recommended to use a firm mattress. This is because, as your weight falls on your back, you’ll need very good alignment of the spine and additional support in certain areas of your body. Ideally, mattresses with pocket spring or open coil systems, or even an orthopedic mattress, are suitable.
Sleeping on your back is one of the healthiest sleep positions, as the spine is naturally aligned. Sleeping in a straight position without sagging provides uniform support to the entire body, avoiding excessive pressure on certain points.
The ideal mattress for stomach sleepers
Those who sleep on their stomachs exert considerable pressure on their stomachs and chests. For these individuals, the ideal mattress is an intermediate state between soft and firm.
If the mattress is too soft, you’ll sink into it, resulting in excessive stretching of the spine (like a small arch). If the mattress is too hard, your spine won’t adopt a minimal, healthy, and natural curvature, which would prevent excessive pressure on the stomach and chest.
In this case as well, a mattress with a pocket spring system, along with the use of a soft material such as memory foam, gel, latex, or Eco Comfort, will contribute to the uniform distribution of body weight and the avoidance of back and neck pain—quite common situations for those who sleep on their stomachs.