There are eight recognized sleeping positions, which are often grouped into three categories: back, side and stomach. Each posture comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, but the right mattress can alleviate negative effects and improve your quality of sleep.
At Kelowna’s Majestic Mattress stores, we’re dedicated to helping you purchase a mattress that suits your sleeping style and ensures you have the most comfort and best quality of sleep.
Kelowna’s Back Sleepers
Back sleepers either spread out like a starfish, or with their arms at their sides like a solider. Sleeping on your back is considered the most beneficial sleeping position for your health and posture because it helps keep your head, neck and spine aligned and in a neutral position.
It’s also ideal for digestion since your head is elevated above your esophagus. However, it’s also strongly linked to snoring and sleep apnea.
Mattress Considerations for Back Sleepers
When you sleep on your back, the only major gap created is in the lumbar area of your spine. This is an important part of your back that requires support, so the best option is a thinner top layer with approximately 2 inch comfort layer, and a firmer mattress with latex, such as Majestic Mattress’s Firm Kensington Supreme Latex or the Latex Hybrid in Firm or Extra Firm.
Side Sleepers
There are a couple ways to sleep on your side. The most common are fetal position or like a log with a pillow between your knees. Sleeping straight, like a log, with a pillow between your knees is ideal. This reduces pressure on your lungs, increases blood flow, and it prevents neck and back pain.
Mattress Considerations for Side Sleepers
A medium to soft organic latex mattress can do wonders for your posture if you prefer snoozing on your side. Typically side sleepers experience aches in their neck, shoulders and hips if there is too much pressure on these points during the night. A medium to soft organic latex mattress that supports the curved ares and alleviates pressure in these areas is ideal. Majestic Mattress recommends the Kensington Supreme Latex in Soft or Medium or the Latex Hybrid in Soft or Medium.
Stomach Sleepers
Sleeping on your stomach is the least beneficial sleeping position. The strain on your neck from turning to one side while being elevated on a pillow can lead to serious back aches. Plus, a softer layer that you sink into will cause more aches due to the unnatural backwards curve in your back.
However, if sleeping on your stomach is the most comfortable position, then finding a mattress that suits you is the next best thing to training yourself to sleep in a new position.
Mattress Considerations for Stomach Sleepers
If you are a stomach sleeper, it’s important to have firm support.
Firm, thin comfort layers with an inch of softness to provide cushion for bony areas, but otherwise firm, is ideal. This will prevent your lumbar area from sinking and being hyperextended as well as straining your neck. Majestic Mattress recommends the Pacifica Pillow Top Pocket Coil (Hoteliers’ Choice) mattress for the best support. It’s one of our firmer mattress, but still moderately priced!