If you are experiencing pain on your side as a side sleeper, it is likely your mattress is too firm, or does not have enough padding. If you are experiencing lower back pain, chances are your mattress is either too soft, or is broken down in the middle.
Body weight
Generally speaking, heavier people prefer firmer mattresses. Soft foams may sink in too much for comfort and adequate support. Conversely, lighter sleepers may sink in less and find firm beds to be uncomfortably hard, so they generally prefer soft to medium firm options.
Do firm mattresses get softer? All mattresses get a little softer within the first 50 to 60 nights of regular use. This is called the natural break-in period. However, this natural break-in doesn't make it an uncomfortable mattress, rather it tempers down the extra firmness of a new mattress.
For those not experiencing troublesome back pain, a firm mattress is will generally be more comfortable. When sleeping on a firmer surface, the bones absorb most of the pressure, meaning there is less stress on muscles, veins and arteries. Muscles are less strained, and circulation is improved.
Should You Get a Firm Mattress? Seniors often need a mattress with excellent pressure relief to help reduce pressure points in key areas like the shoulders, hips and back. Generally, a medium to medium firm mattress will provide this optimal level of support and help alleviate back and joint pain.
“Most side sleepers will do best on a medium-firm mattress, as a general guideline, but that will vary based on their height and weight,” Dr. Breus explains. “If you're a 250- to 300-pound person, you're going to look for a different mattress than a 120- to 130-pound person.
Use a Mattress Topper
By adding a softer layer to the top of your bed, you can enhance pressure point relief and contouring. There are different materials available, including latex, memory foam, wool, cotton, feather, polyfoam, and down alternative. The most popular option is memory foam.
Hotels beds are incredibly comfortable thanks to their use of mattress toppers. These can significantly adjust mattress firmness and the quality of your rest. A mattress topper is simply an added layer of cushioning that rests on top of your old mattress and provides support and extra levels of comfort.
If you carry weight, sleep on your back, or sleep on your stomach, a firm mattress may help alleviate lower back pain by distributing your body weight more evenly across the mattress. This way, your back isn't curving as much while you sleep.
Any new mattress, especially when you change the firmness level won't automatically feel like the right mattress – you really have to let the course of time work on getting it to its best comfort levels (usually, it takes about 2-4 weeks).
Therefore, the best mattresses for side sleepers are often plush to minimizes discomfort around the shoulders and hips while promoting proper spinal alignment. If you change positions throughout the night, a plush mattress can work in your favor.
Any new mattress may take a little while to soften, usually between 30-90 days, depending on the type of mattress. The firmness is common and may make you feel a little uncomfortable as you sleep, but the wait will soon be worthwhile.
Additionally, most hotels turn to classic brands such as Sealy, Serta-Simmons, and Beautyrest. To fully recreate your hotel sleeping experience, you can opt for one of these brands. Because hotels purchase luxury mattresses, they're likely to run you at least $2,000.
Most mattresses will be a medium-firm feel. Having multiple pillow options will help accommodate the standard firmness. Fancier hotels will add a feather bet on top of the mattress to provide a little more sink without losing support. Just about all hotels still have mattresses with coils.
Use your options
Most hotels do offer such an option, so just call the front desk. Sometimes they even stock extra firm pillows in the closets.
Step To It!
Rather than an intrusive jump, gently walking or even crawling on the top of the mattress can help to relax the foam and make for a much softer sleeping environment, and it is probably one of the most effective ways of doing so.
What position do you sleep in? Above all else, this is probably the most important question to answer when considering firmness. Strict side sleepers will typically want something within the 3-6/10 range while back sleepers will want to go with something in the 5-7/10 range.
Add a Mattress Topper
Adding a mattress topper is an excellent way to soften a hard mattress. Mattress toppers give your body more cushion that your current bed lacks. For example, many innerspring models have thin comfort layers that aren't enough to relieve pressure points.
Generally speaking, side sleepers do better on foam or softer hybrid mattresses, since they offer more cushioning and pressure relief. Stomach sleepers often need a firmer hybrid or innerspring mattress for better support through the night.
In general, side sleepers should look for Medium Soft to Medium Firm mattresses that can cushion their impact points. Back and stomach sleepers should look for Medium Firm to Firm beds that have only light conforming.
When it comes to pain relief, mattress firmness can absolutely make a difference. According to research from 2015 , medium-firm mattresses are a great option for promoting comfort and spinal alignment.
High-quality hospital bed mattresses use progressive laminated foams or memory foam to adapt to the occupant's body shape and position. They are engineered to distribute forces intelligently, mitigating the shear and pressure that causes bedsores. Consumer-grade mattresses are not designed for home hospital beds.
A too-hard mattress forces your spine into an unnatural position and creates pressure points. Your mattress should have some give to keep your spine neutral.
Hard mattresses are often recommended for people who sleep on their stomach or back because they provide more support and keep your spine aligned. They are also good for heavier people because they sink less deeply into the mattress. Hard mattresses can also last longer than soft mattresses.