Many people prefer to sleep on their sides as opposed to their back and front. This is quite understandable considering that side sleeping is good for your spine and air circulation. When sleeping on your side, your spine is properly aligned, which helps to minimize pressure on your lower back and neck. And by improving your circulation, side sleeping prevents you from snoring. It’s also linked to better heart health.
However, just as much as side sleeping is recommended, there are a few issues associated with the habit. First, the constant twisting of the legs and curling of the body can put pressure on the spine. This may lead to lower back pain and neck discomfort. Other issues associated with side sleeping include wrinkling, breasts sagging, and skin aging. Luckily, these issues can be prevented with the right mattress. Here are the things to consider when buying a new mattress for side sleeping:
- Great Support
The whole idea of great support is for the benefit of the spine. Your spine needs maximum cushioning to prevent it from curving. Great mattress support will also benefit your hips. The top layer should be thick and comfortable to relive your spine and hips from pressure.
- Firm Comfort
Today, mattresses are rated from 1 to 10 with respect to their level of firmness. Values lower than 5 usually represent soft firmness while those above 8 represent extra firmness. If you are a side sleeper, you need a medium firmness option (5-8) as it is more comfortable.
- Quality Materials
It’s important that the mattress serve you for long. So, it should be made of durable materials. Always go for quality options to avoid issues like premature sagging and shrinkage. In particular, you should consider latex as the material has bounce-back properties. You should also consider high-density foam for the same reason.
- Breathable and Cooling Properties
The right mattress should absorb excess heat at night. This ensures that you sleep cool. It should also allow free airflow to give you comfort while sleeping. For this reason, you need to consider a material like cotton or latex.
- Clear Warranty
Your perfect mattress should come with a clear warranty. It shows that the manufacturer is very confident in the product. However, you have to fully understand the return policy before making the purchase. The warranty should cover issues like premature sagging, side bending, and coil breakage. Additionally, consider a mattress warranty that’s extensive, preferably 10 years or more.
- Sleep Trial
Similarly to a warranty, a sleep trial policy shows that the mattress manufacturer is confident with the product. Besides, it allows you to try out the mattress and return it if it fails to meet its promise. Of course, the more extensive the period is, the better the policy.
Since there are so many mattress brands out there, it’s important that you shop wisely for your choice if you are a side sleeper. Start by considering the factors highlighted in this guide. It’s your ticket to getting the best, safest, and most durable mattress for side sleepers.
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