We all know how difficult it can be to function day to day on a bad night’s sleep, so if you find that you’re waking up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed, your mattress might be to blame. There are a few factors that can cause this, whether your mattress is old and unsupportive, or maybe it is made of the wrong material, and it cannot support your body as it should – whatever the reason, investing in a new mattress that suits you perfectly may be the best option. Below, we’ll look at some of the considerations to keep in mind when choosing a mattress, like the best mattress for side sleepers, as well as the level of support and comfort that you require.
Types of sleepers
When choosing a new mattress to improve your quality of sleep, the best place to start identifying what type of sleeper you are. There are three main types of sleepers, that all require different levels of support throughout the night – these include:
- Back sleepers: This type of sleeper is most comfortable sleeping on their back, facing the ceiling. They require support for the lumbar region, as well as efficient spinal alignment to reduce the chance of back and neck pain. Back sleepers can benefit from medium-firm mattresses that support the spine and provide comfort.
- Front sleepers: This type of sleeper sleeps face down, and much like a back sleeper, they need support for their lumbar area to prevent sinking, which puts pressure on the spine and results in discomfort. An innerspring mattress with plenty of support, and no sagging is great for a front sleeper.
- Side Sleepers: This type of sleeper is most comfortable on their side, they require support to keep their head, neck, and spine in alignment, as well as pressure point relief around the shoulders, hips, and knees. A memory foam mattress is a great choice for a side sleeper.
Support
A supportive mattress means you can wake up feeling refreshed and pain-free. The type of sleeper will determine the amount of support you need, and where you need it most – most sleepers can benefit from a medium-firm feeling mattress, as this provides both comfort and support. The most supportive type of mattress tends to be an innerspring model. The coiled springs inside the mattress provide high-quality support and can keep the spine aligned perfectly. They are particularly good for those that sleep on their back and front so that their middle does not sink and put pressure on the spine.
Comfort
You won’t be able to sleep at all if your mattress is not comfortable! Whilst it’s important that you consider where your body needs support, you should also try a few mattresses to see which is most comfortable for you – it is personal preference after all! If you like the feeling of sinking into your mattress, and you find the contouring comforting, a foam mattress could be a great option to help you drift off. If you need something more supportive, you could also add a foam or gel topper to an innerspring model.
Durability
If you find that you’re waking up feeling tired, or your sleep is broken and you keep waking in the night, this might mean that your mattress is uncomfortable. If you start feeling lumps and bumps, or it is not supporting you as well as it once was, this usually means it’s time to upgrade! Mattresses last around 8-10 years, but if you’re investing in a top-of-the-range model, like a latex or luxury hybrid mattress, you’re going to want it to last as long as possible. The more durable the mattress, the more likely you are to benefit from restful sleep for years to come.
Motion isolation
This is an important feature that can help you to get a better quality of sleep. Motion isolation means when you or your partner moves, the movement does not spread across the mattress to wake you up. A mattress that offers motion isolation is good for couples, or if you sleep with a particularly wriggly pet! Motion isolation means you won’t be woken in the night by your partner – foam mattresses are a good option when it comes to solving this issue.