When it comes to mattresses, there is no shortage of options online or offline, but that doesn’t necessarily make the choice any easier though. In order to choose the right mattress from all the available options, it is important to first figure out your sleeping pattern. On that note, let’s take a look at the various sleeping habits that people usually develop and what would be the ideal mattress for each type of sleeper.

The Side Sleeper

The most common type in the world, the side sleeper usually sleeps on his/her left or right side. Even if the person lies down on the bed in some other position, he/she will eventually assume the side sleeping position sometime during the night.

While it is an ideal position for a multitude of reasons, sleeping on the side will inevitably put a lot of pressure on your hips and shoulders. This is why the side sleeper’s mattress is usually a little softer to release pressure from these sections of the body, allowing the sleeping body to attain its natural curvature. Avoid hard mattresses if you are a side sleeper because the two just doesn’t go together.

The Back Sleeper

Although not as common as the side sleeper, sleeping on one’s back is a fairly common practice as well. Even people who sleep in other positions often start on their back for a while. A medium-firm mattress is ideal for the back sleeper because he/she needs support for the lower back to stop it from sinking too far into a soft mattress. However, if the mattress is too hard, it may resist the body’s natural tendency to attain the arch near the lower back, which could also be detrimental to the lower spine over time.

It is clear that some people may resume different positions throughout sleep, especially if they class themselves as a heavy sleeper. In this situation, it may be difficult to determine which mattress would best accommodate your sleeping habits, but don’t worry, as there are some offers that could work to your advantage. For example, Amerisleep allow you to test their mattresses for 100 nights, and if it does not suit you, you an exchange it for a different style. These types of guarantees are best for restless sleepers as they can allow you more time to find the best mattress to fit your needs.

The Stomach Sleeper

The most uncommon type of sleeper is the stomach sleeper, but they do exist! Anatomically, it’s the least healthy position to sleep in and doctors would strictly advise against sleeping this way. If you sleep on your stomach then you should remember that back pain will likely be a part of your life sooner or later.

However, by choosing a particularly firm mattress you can provide a good amount of support to your lower back to stop it from sinking in and causing lower back issues. The combination of stomach sleeping and a soft mattress, on the other hand, is a recipe for nightmares!

Obviously, some people may not have the time to spend on finding and choosing the perfect mattress, in which case you could opt for a medium-firm mattress because it’s usually decent to excellent for all types of sleepers. In most cases though, spending the time finding the perfect mattress is more than made up for when you’re finally getting the sleep you deserve.