When a person lies down on the bed after an exhausting day, all they need is a comfortable, supportive, and peaceful sleep to refresh and recharge their body and mind. A mattress is the most critical component in determining the quality of sleep. While selecting the new mattress, one thing that should be the primary concern is the “Firmness of the Mattress.” Mattress Firmness is how firm or soft the mattress is when you lay down on it and whether it supports your pressure points and body shape or not. A supportive and comfortable mattress with the right level of firmness provides sleep comfort, body support, spinal alignment, cushioning to sensitive parts, and restful sleep. On the other hand, a wrong firmness mattress can lead to discomfort, body pain, strains, lower back pain, etc. However, the one-size-fits-all concept does not work in the case of Mattress Firmness. The right firmness depends on your sleeping position, body weight, and sleep preferences. So, in this blog, we will shed light on the link between firmness and comfort, different firmness levels, and which level of firmness is best for you according to your sleeping habits.
The Link Between Mattress Firmness and Sleep Comfort
Customers most comfortable mattresses vary since everyone has distinct sleep preferences, which means that each person needs a different firmness level mattress for the best comfort. Some people prefer a soft mattress with a sinkage, while some prefer a firm mattress for solid support. In both cases, mattress firmness has a deep link with sleep comfort. Here’s a closer look at this relationship:
Support: The firmness of the mattress decides how well it supports your body, pressure points, joints, and spinal alignment. A too-soft mattress can sink your body, whereas a too-hard mattress may not contour your body shape. A right firm mattress, according to your sleep preferences, contours to your body while providing utmost support, which leads to sleep comfort.
Spinal Alignment: The firmness of a mattress affects your spinal alignment, as a mattress that is too soft or too hard does not support your body curves naturally and leads to discomfort. The right firmness gives neutral support to your back while reducing pressure points and providing optimal sleep comfort.
Pressure relief: Mattress firmness decides the weight and pressure distribution across the body. A mattress that is too firm or too soft causes uneven distribution of body weight and creates pressure points, which leads to high discomfort and back pain. However, the right firmness distributes the body weight evenly, resulting in proper contouring of the body and alleviating pressure from pressure points.
Motion Isolation: It is a common problem when two people sleep on the same bed, and the movement of one side of the bed affects the other. You can minimize motion isolation and ensure peaceful and comfortable sleep with the right firmness. Generally, a soft mattress is ideal for reducing motion isolation.
Firmness Scale for Mattresses
1 (Extremely Soft)
Extremely soft firmness means exceptionally soft mattresses that sink excessively and contour closely to the body. Such a mattress is best for people who like cloud-like feelings and cushioned sleep experiences.
2-4 (Soft to Medium – Soft)
Soft mattresses sink to some extent and contour closely to the body, whereas medium soft mattresses provide a good balance of softness and support. Soft mattresses are appropriate for people who seek a plush feel, whereas medium soft mattresses are best for those who seek good support along with plush.
5-7 (Medium to Medium-Firm)
A medium mattress is an ideal one as it sinks less, supports the body, and contours well. A medium-firm mattress is the most common choice among people as it is a proper balance of softness, firmness, support, and comfort.
8-9 (Firm)
Firm mattresses offer excessive support with no sinkage and less contouring, making them ideal for people who prefer a firm surface.
10 (Extra Firm)
Extra firm mattresses are not an ideal choice for any type of sleeper as they are excessively firm with no sinkage and contouring. This can make your pressure points sore and increase pain. However, heavyweight people may consider this firmness to get proper support.
Sleeping Position and Firmness Levels
Side Sleepers – A soft mattress is the ideal choice for side sleepers as it provides cushioning comfort, ensuring proper support to the spine, keeping it in alignment, relieving pressure, and even distributing weight across the body.
Back Sleepers – For back sleepers, a slightly firm mattress is the perfect choice as it keeps the spine in a correct position and supports the lumbar region without putting any pressure on the lower back.
Stomach Sleepers– Stomach sleepers should go for a firm mattress so that their body does not sink excessively and stay in a neutral position. A firm mattress maintains the spine alignment and relieves pressure from the lower back, which is the biggest issue for stomach sleepers.
Combination Sleepers– As combination sleepers switch between different positions, they require a mattress that can provide at least the necessary support and comfort to every sleep position. Such people can prefer a medium-firm mattress as it can support the spinal alignment, relieve pressure, keep the lower back safe, and provide the required comfort.
Body Weight and Firmness Levels
Less than 130 lbs – People weighing less than 130 lbs can go for a soft, medium soft, or medium mattress as such people generally don’t sink much, and a soft mattress can easily contour their body, provide support to the spine, and offer excellent pressure relief.
130 lbs to 230 lbs – People in this weight range should prefer a medium soft, medium, and medium firm mattress. They place some amount of pressure, which requires some level of firmness to handle and support. A medium soft to medium firm mattress can provide enough support to such people by contouring their bodies.
More than 230 lbs – Heavyweight sleepers require good firmness that can support their body without excessive sinkage. Therefore, such people can choose medium-firm, firm, or even extra-firm mattresses that can distribute the weight evenly and relieve pressure points while supporting spinal alignment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that different people have different mattress preferences and firmness level requirements according to their sleep habits. We have discussed which mattress firmness level you should choose according to your sleep preference, body weight, and sleeping position. The right firmness supports your pressure points, provides pressure relief, isolates motion transfer, supports spinal alignment, etc., ultimately leading to better sleep comfort. So, pay attention to your body’s needs and select a mattress that aligns with your sleeping preferences to get optimal comfort.
