Your sleeping position reveals much about your comfort preferences and sleeping needs, with mattresses that don’t provide sufficient support to suit it often resulting in discomfort and poorer quality sleep.
Our guide explores the most prevalent sleeping positions, identifying their benefits, potential pain points, and mattress specifications.
Side Sleepers
Seventy five percent of sleepers prefer side sleeping as it reduces pressure on shoulders and hips while supporting proper spinal alignment. Side sleeping has also been shown to reduce heartburn, boost circulation and aid with detoxification processes in the body. Too firm or soft mattresses can lead to shoulder and back pain so those sleeping on their sides should consider getting something with medium plush feel such as Puffy Lux Hybrid which has multiple foam layers designed to offer balanced support to all types of sleepers – including those suffering with back problems.
Sleepers who opt for this mattress may also benefit from pillows designed to promote more symmetrical side-sleeping positions, including placing one under their heads and another between their legs to prevent their knees from rubbing against each other. Furthermore, it’s crucial that all sleepers maintain neutral neck positions so as to not strain their spine or tuck under their chin which may lead to headaches and stiffness in the morning.
Mattress preferences differ, but most side sleepers will generally prefer beds with firmness between 6-8 on our 10-point scale. Anything higher may compromise support and put undue strain on their hips and shoulders.
Memory foam mattresses are often preferred by side sleepers due to its ability to conform to your body and evenly disperse weight across its surface. Furthermore, memory foam is excellent at minimizing motion transfer so you won’t hear or feel your partner tossing and turning throughout the night. But side sleepers should also seek a quality mattress with enough edge support so they can rest assured it will hold up over time without wearing out early or developing sagging spots; quality mattresses with strong foundations may also provide relief for chronic back or neck pain sufferers.
Back Sleepers
Back sleepers must feel supported throughout their hips, shoulders and spine for optimal sleeping comfort and support. Medium to slightly firm mattresses offer enough give to support body without sinking too far in certain areas; this helps the spine maintain its natural curve while soothing pressure points on neck and shoulders as well as providing the ultimate balance between comfort and support for back sleeping.
Given that stomach sleeping can put extra strain on the back, those who prefer this position should look for a firm mattress to ensure proper spinal support and pressure point relief throughout their night’s rest. Furthermore, it’s crucial that their mattress offers plenty of surface area as they tend to spread themselves out when sleeping in this position.
Back sleepers should prioritize finding a mattress made with transition and base layers made from high-density poly foam or, even better, pocketed coils; such materials provide plenty of support while remaining cool and comfortable for sleepers.
Memory foam or latex mattresses provide a soft and breathable surface which can help prevent heat build-up while providing comfort. For those who prefer all-foam mattresses, gel infusion may add breathability as it cools the sleeper down more effectively.
Hybrid beds offer another excellent solution for back sleepers, combining innerspring support with all-foam cushioning and pressure relief. For instance, the Nolah Evolution Hybrid offers coils which help lift hips while maintaining neutral spine alignment, providing ample cushioning in the lumbar region.
Transitioning between sleeping positions may be challenging for many individuals, so those attempting it should do it gradually. Switching positions could leave your body with new aches and pains; so take the time necessary to train it to adapt.
Stomach Sleepers
Sleeping on your stomach can be unpleasant for several reasons, from spinal misalignment to pressure points across your chest and abdomen. Furthermore, this sleeping position increases your likelihood of back pain and snoring; although you may not be able to completely alter this sleeping style without switching mattress models.
Medium to firm mattresses are the optimal choice for stomach sleepers, as they support your spine in its proper alignment while supporting the weight of your torso and hips. An excessively soft mattress could allow your hips and belly to sink too deeply into it, disrupting its natural S-curved curve and leading to discomfort; conversely an overly firm one could put too much pressure on shoulders and back areas leading to discomfort and even pain.
Experts advise stomach sleepers to look for mattresses between 5-6 on the firmness scale for optimal support without creating excess pressure. A hybrid or latex mattress of this nature should provide ample support without creating pressure points; those weighing 130 pounds or more often favor medium feel mattresses to achieve body contouring, while those who weigh less might prefer softer textures to ease back discomfort.
Mattresses designed specifically to support stomach sleepers must offer exceptional support, since more of your body is in contact with the bed than with any other sleeping position. A mattress equipped with extra cooling features could prove most suitable – these may help keep the temperature down during restful slumber sessions.
As stomach sleepers can benefit from additional support, investing in a supportive pillow should also be top of mind. A high-density foam pillow can offer ample support to both the neck and back while simultaneously keeping hips and shoulders from sinking into your mattress – helping maintain proper alignment of your spine. In addition, thicker profiled pillows may offer greater height and length for increased comfort when lying on your stomach.
Combination Sleepers
Combination sleepers tend to switch positions during the night, requiring them to find a mattress with supportive and comfortable properties no matter which position they find themselves sleeping in. A medium to slightly firm feel mattress will offer the ideal balance of support to maintain neutral spine alignment with pressure relieving properties for easy movement without feeling stuck in one spot.
Tuft & Needle mattresses are an increasingly popular choice among combination sleepers, thanks to their simple construction that easily accommodates shifts in sleeping positions. The mattress features dense foam support to maintain an appropriate spine alignment and an extremely soft top layer that contours to your body for superior comfort; all three primary sleeping positions can find comfort on this single sleep surface that costs $89 for queen size!
WinkBed hybrid mattress provides another viable choice. Perfect for back and stomach sleepers alike, its luxurious euro pillow top makes this mattress easy to maneuver around the bed without becoming stuck in one spot. Combination sleepers will appreciate its springy latex/coils construction for its bouncy feel; combination sleepers will appreciate its medium to slightly firmness that allows them to move about easily without getting stuck.
The Layla Hybrid mattress is another fantastic choice for combo sleepers. As a flippable mattress with two distinct sides–soft and firm–you can select which best meets your sleeping position. Both sides offer zoned support that relieve pressure on hips and shoulders while supporting back, making transitioning between positions easily throughout the night.
Nolah Natural mattress is an excellent option for combination sleepers. Constructed from soft hybrid latex and coil construction, its soft feel should suit stomach sleepers perfectly and scored blue in our pressure map tests for low back pain relief. Furthermore, shared beds will appreciate its ability to isolate motion so each partner gets quality rest without feeling their partner’s movements.
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