What is the ideal mattress depending on the sleeping position?
Finding a comfortable mattress is important to the quality of your sleep. An equally important parameter is to see if one's mattress supports the sleeping position. Although most people change positions during sleep, there are 3 main sleeping positions:
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On the side
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Face down
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I'm on my back
How the mattress affects sleeping posture
A mattress that doesn't suit your posture while sleeping can cause many more problems than we think – indicative : back, hip, shoulder or neck pain. This is because some parts of our body are under more pressure than others.
Different sleeping positions affect different pressure points. Ultimately, the best mattress for you is the one that balances comfort with the right support . In order to choose the ideal mattress, depending on the way you sleep, you need to consider two main factors:
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The mattress construction material
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The hardness of the mattress
The ideal mattress for side sleepers
For people who sleep on their side, the ideal mattress is a mattress with pocket springs , and a fluffy material (comfort layer) on top, i.e. a fairly soft mattress. The thicker the fluffy material used, the better! Using this material will help the mattress to contour to your body, so you will be able to sleep on your side with great comfort.
Such mattresses – often called “hybrid mattresses” – reduce pressure on the hips and shoulders, and help prevent pain in those areas, as well as numbness in the arms.
Side sleeping is one of the most common sleeping positions. It is an excellent posture for pregnant women, as well as for people suffering from digestive disorders. The types of mattresses that can be an ideal choice for side sleepers are:
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Memory foam
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Gel
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Latex
The ideal mattress for those who sleep on their backs
For people who sleep on their backs it is recommended to use a hard mattress. That's because, because your weight falls on your back, you'll need very good spinal alignment and extra support in certain parts of your body. Ideal mattresses are those with a pocket spring or open coil spring system, or even an orthopedic mattress.
Sleeping on your back is one of the healthiest sleeping positions, as the spine is naturally aligned. Sleeping in an upright position, without slouching, provides even support throughout the body, and avoids putting too much pressure on certain areas.
The ideal mattress for face sleepers
Face sleepers put a lot of pressure on their stomach and chest. For these individuals, the ideal mattress is an intermediate state between soft and hard mattress.
If the mattress is too soft, you will sink into the mattress, causing the spine to overstretch (like a small arch). If again, the mattress is too hard, your spine will not adopt a minimum, healthy and natural curvature, which will allow to avoid putting too much pressure on the stomach and chest.
And in this case, a mattress with a pocket spring system, and the use of a fluffy material, such as Memory foam, Gel, Latex or Eco Comfort, will contribute to the even distribution of body weight, and to avoid back and neck pain – quite common situations for people who sleep on their backs.
