If you often toss and turn at night, unable to find a comfortable position, you might wake up with persistent aches in your back and neck. The culprit could be your mattress. A lack of proper support can disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to frequent awakenings and preventing deep sleep. Poor sleep quality not only affects your physical health but also impacts your mood, leaving you feeling fatigued and irritable.
A study published in PubMed found that the comfort and support of your sleep surface can significantly impact sleep quality and efficiency. Some sleep surfaces have been linked to issues like lower back discomfort, pain, stiffness, and shoulder pain. Therefore choosing the right mattress is important.
Today, there are numerous mattress options available, offering different levels of comfort to improve your sleep experience. "From firm mattresses that support back and spine alignment to softer ones that create a cocoon of comfort, leading to better sleep, the choices are vast," says Anand Nichani, Managing Director, Magniflex India, luxury mattresses and sleep accessories. When selecting the right mattress, it's important to consider key factors like your body type, sleeping position, and personal comfort preferences.
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Nichani explains factors affecting mattress firmness:
Body weight: Your body weight significantly influences how a mattress feels. People with heavier body types usually benefit from a firm mattress that provides solid support and prevents sinking. In contrast, those with lighter frames often find a soft to medium-firm mattress more comfortable, as a firm surface may feel too rigid. For example, someone with a heavier build might experience back pain on a soft mattress due to the lack of proper support.
Sleeping position: Your sleeping position also affects your choice of mattress firmness. Back and stomach sleepers typically do best with firmer mattresses that keep their spine aligned. For instance, back sleepers often feel supported on a medium-firm mattress, while stomach sleepers need a firm surface to prevent their hips from sinking. On the other hand, side sleepers usually prefer softer to medium-firm mattresses to cushion their shoulders and hips, reducing pressure points.
Age and health conditions: Age and health can also influence firmness preferences. Older adults prefer medium firm mattresses so as to get stronger back support, joint health which can help improve overall sleep quality, while younger people often choose softer options for better comfort.
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Partner preferences: If you share a bed, your partner’s comfort needs might differ. One person may require a firmer mattress for support, while the other prefers a softer feel. A medium-firm mattress can often be a good compromise, but a dual-core mattress allows each side to be customised for individual preferences.
Mattress material: The material of the mattress also affects its firmness. Softer materials contour to the body, providing pressure relief for side sleepers but may lack support for back or stomach sleepers. Firmer materials offer better spinal alignment, making them suitable for back sleepers. Mattresses with coils provide a bouncy feel and good support, but they may not relieve pressure for side sleepers. Thus, the right mattress material is key to ensuring a good night’s sleep based on one’s preferences.
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