Ready to stop tossing and turning every night?
Choosing the right mattress depends largely on your sleep position. The average person has never even considered how this affects their comfort and support when shopping for mattress solutions.
But here’s the deal:
You could drop thousands of dollars on a “luxury” mattress only to find yourself waking up sore and tired.
After all, 74% of people sleep on their side but many are lying on mattresses designed for back sleepers.
Do you know what that means?
Night after night of interrupted sleep and waking up stiff as a board.
What you’ll learn:
- Why Your Sleep Position Matters More Than You Think
- The Sleep Position Mattress Connection
- Side Sleeper’s Guide to Mattress Selection
- Back Sleeper’s Perfect Mattress Formula
- Stomach Sleeper’s Firmness Requirements
- Combination Sleeper’s Balancing Act
Why Your Sleep Position Matters More Than You Think
There’s one common mistake most mattress buyers make…
Instead of considering how they sleep, they focus on brand names, fancy features, and marketing schemes.
The truth is, your sleep position has everything to do with where your body needs support, how firm or soft your mattress should be, and what material will work best.
Here’s an example…
If you’re a side sleeper and you purchase a firm mattress designed for stomach sleepers, your hips and shoulders are going to create pressure points that will cause you to toss and turn all night.
But what happens when you buy a mattress that’s designed for your sleep position?
Everything changes.
You fall asleep faster, you sleep longer, and you wake up feeling refreshed instead of stiff and sore.
The Sleep Position Mattress Connection
Let’s look at some hard science…
Adults sleep on their side 54% of the time, on their back 38% of the time, and on their stomach a mere 7% of the time. But most people have no idea which category they fall into, or how it should impact their mattress shopping.
Here’s what we do know:
A 2021 meta-review of 39 studies found that medium-firm mattresses were the best option for people with non-specific lower back pain. But there’s a catch. This is only the case for certain sleep positions.
Each position creates unique pressure patterns:
- Side sleepers have deeper curves and require more contouring
- Back sleepers need supportive balance for their natural spinal alignment
- Stomach sleepers need firmer support to avoid sinking
If you have the wrong mattress, it doesn’t just affect your comfort level. It can cause chronic pain, joint and back issues, and sleep disorders.
Side Sleeper’s Guide to Mattress Selection
Are you part of the majority who sleep on their side?
The fact is, sleeping on your side can be bad for your sleep health.
Side sleepers place a lot of pressure on their hips and shoulders. Your shoulders and hips are your body’s heaviest points. If a mattress is too firm, those pressure points can cause tossing and turning all night long.
This is why side sleepers need medium to medium-soft mattresses (4-6 on the firmness scale). The mattress needs to let your hips and shoulders sink slightly so they aren’t pinched.
On the flip side, if the mattress is too soft, the mattress will sag and your spine won’t be supported.
Memory foam and hybrid mattresses are the best options for side sleepers.
Memory foam provides contouring and reduces motion transfer while hybrid mattresses can be customized to fit your body profile.
Back Sleeper’s Perfect Mattress Formula
If you sleep on your back, you’re one of the lucky ones…
Your body weight is evenly distributed when you sleep on your back. This means you can use a wider variety of mattresses.
Medium to medium-firm mattresses (5-7 on the firmness scale) are the best option for back sleepers.
Medium to medium-firm support provides lumbar support, maintains your spine’s natural curve, and allows your weight to spread out evenly.
For back sleepers, the best mattress types are hybrids, latex, and high-quality memory foam.
Avoid super-soft mattresses that cause your hips to sink and extra-firm mattresses that are too stiff to accommodate your spine.
Stomach Sleeper’s Firmness Requirements
If you’re a stomach sleeper, it’s time to pay attention…
You’re in the minority, with only about 7% of people opting for this position. The good news is your stomach sleeping problems are easily solved.
When you sleep on your stomach, your neck and lower back are under a lot of stress.
The problem is, your hips are your heaviest body part. If they sink too far into the mattress you will experience pain and discomfort.
That’s why stomach sleepers need firm to extra-firm mattresses (7-9 on the firmness scale).
Firm mattresses don’t allow the hips to sink. They improve spinal alignment and reduce neck strain.
Here’s why firm mattresses work best:
- They prevent hip sinking
- Reduce neck strain and stiffness
- Helps improve breathing by keeping your chest elevated
Look for firm innerspring, high-density foam or firm latex. Latex and memory foam won’t compress easily and support your weight.
As a general rule, stomach sleepers should use a thin pillow or no pillow at all to prevent neck strain.
Combination Sleeper’s Balancing Act
Are you a combination sleeper?
Most of us move around a lot during the night. We toss and turn, curling into different positions before waking.
Combination sleepers have unique challenges when selecting a mattress.
Combination sleepers usually need a medium-firm mattress (5-6 on the firmness scale). This allows for the most versatility, movement, and balanced support.
The best mattresses for combination sleepers are those that respond quickly to movement. Look at latex and hybrid mattresses, as they adjust to your body as you move.
Avoid memory foam. It will actually make it harder for you to change positions.
You need to find the right balance between motion isolation and easy movement. Hybrid mattresses usually have the best of both worlds.
Making Your Final Decision
If you understand how sleep position affects mattress selection, here’s how to make the right decision:
- Track your sleep for a week. What position do you fall asleep in? What position do you wake up in? That’s your sleeping style.
- Do you move around during the night? If so, you’re a combination sleeper and need a versatile mattress.
- Factor in body weight. Heavier sleepers need firmer mattresses regardless of sleep position.
- Take advantage of sleep trials. Most online mattress retailers offer these to ensure you get the right mattress.
Wrapping It All Up
Your sleep position is the single most important factor in choosing a mattress.
86% of consumers consider comfort and support the most important factors when shopping for a mattress. But if your mattress doesn’t support how you sleep, it won’t matter how “comfortable” it is.
The good news is, once you know how you sleep, it’s easy to match it to the right mattress.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Side sleepers need medium to medium-soft mattresses with pressure point relief
- Back sleepers do best with medium to medium-firm support
- Stomach sleepers require firm support to keep hips from sinking
- Combination sleepers need responsive, medium-firm mattresses that adapt to movement
Don’t fall for the gimmicks of brand names and marketing schemes.
Focus on your sleep position first, then look for mattresses that will support you through the night.
The right mattress for your sleep position will revolutionize your nights and days. You’ll fall asleep quickly, you’ll sleep deeper, and you’ll wake up refreshed.
Ready to take the first step?
Start with your sleep position.