Sleeping positions decide how comfortable our body is during sleep and posture in the long run. A good mattress will keep you comfortable in both back and side sleeping positions. However, sleeping on the side is not a very good idea as it can cause shoulder and back pain or some other kind of awkward pain. If you don’t want to experience such chronic pains, get a good quality mattress supporting your side sleeping position.
A mattress compatible with your sleeping position will keep your shoulder, pelvic, neck, and body posture in check. Your physiological body won’t feel any pressure, which will also enhance your sleep quality. It would help you be careful with the mattress and side sleeping position because of the tender pressure points. Your spine needs to be horizontal in every bed and position, especially while you sleep on the side. This curvature is not easy to get when sleeping on the side, but a compatible mattress can be your rescue.
The sleeping compatibility of your sleeping position and mattress also depends on your weight. For example, the mattress that fits a side sleeping overweight individual is a medium-firm mattress. This mattress will provide enough comfort and support for your shoulders. Depending on the body type, a mattress needs to provide a healthy balance of plushness and comfort. Also, if you know body type and mattress compatibility, then there are advantages of being a side sleeper.
Mattress Types and Materials
There are many options to prefer when it comes to good material. There are many brands and sizes with advanced features. However, for side sleepers, there are materials and types to support the sleeping position exclusively. Based on Sleep Science research, below are the top mattress types for side sleepers.
1. Innerspring Mattresses
Although the trend is moving towards other technical mattresses, innerspring is one of the most sold mattress types in the market. Innerspring mattresses have been available since the early 1900s.
The manufacturing process includes coils that compress when you sit or lie on this. This use of coils is also why they are commonly called coil mattresses. The number of coils used in innerspring mattresses may vary depending on the size, thickness, and other similar factors. However, it is harmless to say that more coils mean better quality and comfort.
These mattresses are very affordable, and that’s one of the reasons for their popularity. It provides the comfort a side sleeper needs and will give the required posture to your back. However, innerspring mattresses have a short lifespan. You will have to replace your mattress quicker than you would for other kinds of mattresses. You can understand that the life of your innerspring mattress is over when the coils start to loosen up, and the mattress will become extra bouncy and springy.
2. Memory Foam Mattresses
NASA invented this mattress in 1966 to improve the quality of their aircraft cushions, so the astronauts feel less pressure when entering and exiting the earth’s orbit. However, this mattress is widely used today, and the material is used in making other commercial applications like pillows, blankets, furniture, shoes, and others.
The products made using memory foam materials were expensive till 1990. In 1991, Tempur-Pedic mattress created a memory foam bed that was good in quality and inexpensive comparatively. This revolutionized a new era for side sleepers to sleep better in their loved position and didn’t have to pay a lot for comfort.
Now, a memory foam mattress is used a lot by people for its sinking characteristic. This cradling property of memory foam helps side sleepers to feel more comfortable as the mattress takes its shape. Once you move away from the bed, the bed will get back to its original form, making memory foam the best mattress for heavy people.
Apart from being the best for side sleepers, a memory foam mattress is ideal for those with chronic pain and injuries. Other benefits of memory foam mattresses include pressure point relief, proper spinal alignment, low motion transfer, dust mites resistance, adjustable beds companion.
3. Latex Mattresses
A more natural bedding option than mentioned above is a latex mattress. Natural latex is a by-product of a rubber tree. The best part of this mattress is that it is natural and provides multiple organic solutions to sleeping issues. The material of latex mattresses is similar to memory foam and provides contouring and pressure relief. However, the comfort it gives is just a point lower than memory foam if you compare.
Latex is more bouncy than memory foam and an ideal mattress in the budget for people who prefer soft memory foam mattresses. If you like a bouncy and less heat retainer mattress, then a latex mattress is perfect for you. There are two production processes for latex mattresses, as explained below,
- Talalay
Talalay latex is made by filling the mold, and then a vacuum is used to suck out all the air. The material is then frozen to get the desired shape and stabilize the structure overall. This structure of latex has more consistency than the other kind.
- Dunlop
In the Dunlop manufacturing process, all the latex is poured at once, making the bed denser on the bottom and softer top.
Where to Buy a Mattress for Side Sleepers?
The best way to buy a mattress with specific needs is to find a mattress store with sleep experts. They are people with knowledge of all kinds of mattresses and other factors involved in buying a mattress. You can also learn about the exclusive brand options you have, as we are available in more than 34 locations around the states.
At Mancini’s Sleepworld Mattresses, you can book an in-store sleep expert when you visit and understand the advantages of all kinds of mattresses. This will also allow you to gain information on offers and discounts that run all around the year at Mancini’s Sleepworld.