Unless you’re a college student or young professional on a budget, buying a mattress can be a big investment, but it’s important to invest in your sleep if you plan on owning your mattress long term. The last thing you want is to end up hating the mattress you spent over $1,000 on. Accordingly, before you purchase a mattress, you should first consider your body and sleeper type. If your current mattress is giving you trouble, or if you aren’t sleeping the recommended 7-8 hours a night, it could be because your bed isn’t right for your specific needs. There are several reasons why sleeping on a suitable mattress is hugely beneficial for your physical health.
To Prevent Aches And Pains
If you’ve ever experienced pins and needles in your arm or a sore back after waking up, it’s probably because your mattress isn’t suitable for your sleeper type. Body type plays a role in the equation too, but as a general rule of thumb, side sleepers should consider a soft mattress to cradle their pressure points and conform to the curves of their body. Back and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, should look into a mattress on the firmer end of the soft/firm spectrum. They’ll want a bed that’ll keep their spine in proper alignment throughout the night, whereas a soft mattress would cause their spine to sag into the bed.
Combo sleepers, meaning people who switch sleeping positions throughout the night, can go one of two ways. They can choose to cater to their dominant sleeping position, or purchase a mattress that lands in the sweet spot between pressure relief and support.
If you sleep next to a loved one with different sleeping preferences, you can buy two twin XL mattresses to customize your firmness level, and combine them to create a split king bed. Alternatively, you can choose to go the medium firmness mattress route if you want a more standard mattress set-up.
Ensure Your Mattress Is Long Lasting
After you consider your sleeper type, you should also take your body type into account when you’re buying a new mattress. The heavier you are, the softer a mattress is going to feel. As such, if you weigh 250+ pounds and buy a mattress marketed as medium, it’s going to feel softer to you. If you have a petite body type, you’ll experience the opposite — mattresses marketed as medium will feel more firm to you.
For those who are heavy-set and weigh over 250+ pounds, it’s recommended you get a hybrid mattress constructed with a combination of foam and coils. A mattress should last you about 10 years, but an all-foam bed won’t be as durable and supportive as it needs to be for someone with a larger body type. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your investment, make sure you think about your body type and how well your potential mattress will suit your particular needs.
Prevent Overheating
Everyone gets a little hot while they’re sleeping from time to time, but a small percentage of the population regularly sleep hot, regardless of the temperature or the type of pajamas they’re wearing. If you identify as this kind of sleeper, you probably understand how frustrating it can be to wake up several times throughout the night trying to find a way to cool down. There are certain types of beds you should consider, and specific ones you should probably stay away from.
Hot sleepers should steer clear of true memory foam mattresses. They have a reputation of retaining heat because your body becomes nestled within the layers, and the foam isn’t very breathable. Instead, hot sleepers should look for mattresses with special cooling technologies, or beds like the Purple Mattress which is constructed with hundreds of air pockets to allow for increased airflow.
Accommodate Your Specific Health Conditions
A bad mattress can upset some of the most common health conditions including Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Sciatica, and even general hip pain. For folks with joint, shoulder, or hip issues, you might want to look into a softer bed that’ll relieve some of the pressure on your joints. If you suffer from a condition that affects your back and spine, you’ll definitely want a more supportive mattress. You can always consult a chiropractor for a professional opinion to see what his recommendations are so you can ensure you’re spending money on the right mattress.
McKenzie Dillon is a blogger and sleep enthusiast for The Slumber Yard, a reviews site that focuses on bedding products. In her free time, she likes attending music festivals, reading fiction novels and practicing yoga.