Buying a new mattress is very much like making a long-term investment. After all, it is recommended that we replace our mattress every 7-10 years. Ultimately, you want something that will serve you nicely during that time. That is, speaking of both quality, comfort, and sustainability, all at the same time. So, here are 4 tips that will make choosing the right mattress for side sleepers a lot easier!
How to choose a mattress for side sleeper
If you want to make the right decision, do consider the following tips. Consider all of your options and compare them with one another. When possible, avoid online shopping and instead, visit mattress stores where you can try out the actual mattresses. Now let’s dig into the tips that we have to offer.
- Consider your budget
No matter what sleep position you prefer, your decision will always depend on your budget. That is why it is very important to determine your budget beforehand. The ideal budget would be somewhere around $1,000. For some, this may be too low of a price. However, know this – Price does not equate quality.
Throwing a lot of money on a mattress does not mean that you will get a mattress of the finest quality. But you also need to remember that being cheap about your new mattress is not something that you would like to do. That is why we think that $1,000 is just enough to get you both quality and sustainability at the same time.
- Research the different types of mattresses
Nowadays, we have the luxury to choose from the many different mattress types. Latex, coils, and memory foam are some of the most popular mattress types. To choose your favorite one, you will need to try out the different mattress types and see how they feel. But our recommendation would be to choose a memory foam mattress.
A memory foam mattress is perfect for side sleepers since it offers great back support and pressure relief, while it contours your body perfectly. However, some people have an issue sleeping on a memory foam mattress. If you want to stay cool during your sleep, then a memory mattress is not for you. But not all hope is lost. Lately, we have been seeing some improvements happening in the market. And so, we have seen the new Loom & Leaf mattress. While this is a memory foam mattress, it is a gel-based memory foam that will keep you cool during the night.
- Choose a medium to firm mattress
The firmness of your mattress defines how hard or soft the mattress is. When choosing the right firmness, you should always take your preferred sleep position in question. For side sleepers, it is recommended that they choose a soft to a medium-firm mattress.
Perhaps you will find it helpful to refer to the so-called firmness scale. According to the firmness scale, each mattress can be given a grade from 1 to 10. Side sleepers should choose a mattress somewhere between the range of 3-6 out of 10. As a side sleeper, you need a mattress that is soft enough to relieve some of the pressure off your neck and back. This is especially important for side sleepers as they tend to turn a lot during the night. At the same time, the mattress needs to be firm enough so that it contours the natural curves of the spine. Choosing too firm of a mattress will result in a lack of support which will cause pressure and pain in the neck, shoulders, and back.
- Consider your body weight as well
Other than your budget and sleep position, you will also need to consider your body weight as well. The mattress support depends greatly on your body weight, so as much as uncomfortable you may be thinking about this factor, you still need to do it.
If you weight somewhere around 150 pounds, we would recommend choosing a medium-firm mattress. A mattress with that kind of firmness is the ideal fit for a light sleeper. For someone of average weight (between 150-180 pounds), a firmer mattress may be a better fit. Naturally, a heavier person would need greater support provided by their mattress. For heavier sleepers, weighing 200 pounds or more, a nice, firm mattress would do the trick.
Conclusion
While it is important to get at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep, time is not the only thing that matters here. If you do not take care of factors such as room temperature and mattress quality among others, you risk waking up groggy the next morning. As a side sleeper, there are many things that you would need to pay close attention to when choosing the right mattress. We hope that you will find today’s tips useful and choose a mattress that is worth your money and will provide a good night’s sleep.
