Finding Your Perfect Sleep Balance: Firm vs Gentle Firm Mattress
If you find your nights are spent tossing and turning, feeling a tad like Goldilocks trying to find the sleep position that is just right, it might be time to consider purchasing a new mattress. The firmness of your current mattress could be dictating improper spinal alignment and nightly discomfort, as a mattress that is too soft or too hard can cause strain on your body.
When you consider that the average person spends 26 years of their life sleeping, the comfort, support, and firmness of the mattress definitely matter. Add to that the fact that 7 years are spent trying to achieve the perfect night’s slumber, and the option of firm vs gentle firm mattress needs to be weighed up. To gain a better understanding of how this impacts your sleep, we at The Bed Shop would like to delve into different sleep positions to ensure that you select a mattress from us that gives you the rejuvenating night’s rest that you long for.
Why Mattress Firmness Matters
First off, it is important to understand that there is a difference between mattress firmness and support. Firmness refers to how a mattress feels, while support refers to how it aligns your body and spine. Although related, firmness and support are not the same. Firmer mattresses often offer more support, but this isn’t always the case. You can find soft mattresses with good support and firm mattresses with poor support. This may seem a bit confusing, but these two elements have a direct impact on your sleep quality and overall health.
Mattress manufacturers introduced a firmness scale to help consumers gain a better understanding of the firmness levels of mattresses. Seems simple, right? Unfortunately, it isn’t so cut and dry as listing firm vs gentle firm on a scale of 1 to 10. As this is subjective, your mattress needs to be the perfect balance of support and firmness, which cannot be dictated by a simplistic scale system.
At The Bed Shop, we don’t conform to a firmness scale as everyone’s sleep preferences differ. Our innovative Mattress Selector assists you in selecting a bed based on your preferred comfort and support levels, which in turn gives you suggestions on the best firmness level to contour your body in restful slumber.
Too Hard, Too Soft, Just Perfect
Let’s take a look at how your sleeping position affects the support your body needs from a mattress:
- Sleeping on Your Back
Back sleepers typically need a slightly firmer mattress to prevent sagging in the midsection. Gentle cradling can help keep the spine aligned and support the lumbar region. A mattress that is too soft or firm can put undue pressure on the lower back. Depending on your weight, we would suggest a gentle firm to firm mattress. - The “Spooning” Position
Side sleepers put pressure on hips and shoulders. Selecting a firm mattress can misalign your spine and cause pressure points. On the other hand, a mattress that is too soft can lead to poor posture due to excessive sagging. Side sleepers often benefit from a plusher mattress that cradles and supports the body. - Cautionary Advice for Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleeping is generally not recommended due to the risk of strain. A mattress with insufficient support can cause the midsection to sag, leading to an unnatural arch in the lower back and potential pain. Stomach sleepers often prefer firmer mattresses, depending on weight. - Combining Different Sleep Positions
Combination sleepers tend to change sleeping positions multiple times during the night. Choosing the right mattress firmness level can be challenging as your needs vary. Moderate firmness levels, usually between soft and firm, are the best option for combination sleepers. - Partner Preferences
If you share your bed, you need to consider your partner’s sleeping preferences when choosing a mattress. A gentle firm mattress may be the answer, especially if one prefers a softer mattress and the other prefers a firm one. Perhaps you should also consider one that provides limited motion transfer.
The debate of firm vs gentle firm mattress completely depends on your unique sleep position. What a mattress must do is conform to your body, providing a comforting and hugging sensation, wrapping you in layers of support conducive to a restorative night’s sleep.
Quality Sleep Starts at The Bed Shop
The right mattress firmness depends on your individual sleep needs and preferences. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so carefully consider your options to find the best mattress for you. If navigating our online offerings leads you to another debate on firm vs gentle firm mattresses, connect with The Bed Shop’s sleep experts who are on hand to guide you in making the perfect slumber selection.
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