While everyone knows that it doesn’t feel good to have a bad night’s sleep, not as many people review the research that shows what kind of an impact your sleep has on your health. We may often take for granted that we can catch up on lost sleep or that it doesn’t matter too much what quality of sleep you’re getting. The reality, however, is that lack of sleep and low-quality sleep have a compounding effect, increasing your general level of fatigue day after day. One of the most important factors that determine how much and how well you sleep is your bed. Therefore, you want to make sure that you have a bed that will suit your sleep style.
The Major Sleep Styles
People fall into one of three categories in terms of how they sleep: back sleepers, stomach sleepers, or side sleepers. There’s a tremendous difference in the location and degree of pressure that your body receives depending on the sleep style you have. For example, side sleepers have a choice of sleeping either on their right side or their left side, but sleeping on the right side improves heart health by reducing the amount of pressure on that vital organ. Each style has its pros and cons:
| Side Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
| Good for spine alignment | Increased risk of spinal and hip pressure | Good for spine alignment |
| Reduces sleep apnea, snoring, and stomach reflux | Reduces sleep apnea, snoring, and stomach reflux | May aggravate sleep apnea or stomach reflux |
| Minimal neck pressure | Increased neck pressure | Moderate pressure on the neck |
Side sleeping has its downsides, of course, but one of the biggest is that you are more likely to develop wrinkles prematurely on the side that your face rests on the pillow. If you regularly experience pain or have problems with snoring, you should consider switching to sleeping on your side.
The Best Mattresses for Each Sleep Type
If you’re used to one style of sleep, it can be hard to change your ways. Side sleepers, for example, may struggle to feel comfortable if they try to sleep on their back and lack the pressure on their side. For most people, it’s easier just to get the best kind of mattress than it is to change how they fall and stay asleep. Fortunately, there are mattresses to offset the negatives of each style of sleep and drive up the positive benefits while ensuring you have a better night’s sleep.
Side Sleeper Mattresses
Despite the benefits of side sleeping mentioned in the chart above, one of this sleep style’s biggest downsides is the fact that there are so many pressure points. Your hips, shoulders, knees, and chest will receive extra pressure, particularly on the side pushing down into the mattress. Additionally, your side has a slimmer profile than your back or stomach, meaning that the pressure per square inch is greater, leading to potential joint issues if you have a mattress that is too firm.
For side sleepers, then, the best mattress will be one with enough give to let you sink into it but enough strength to support your body somewhat. Memory foam mattresses or down mattresses with a moderate amount of softness are ideal, as they will conform to your body and provide roughly even support along the length of your side. This eliminates the issue of pressure points, letting you sleep more comfortably and avoid long-term issues. By contrast, side sleepers must avoid spring-based and extra-firm mattresses.
Stomach Sleeper Mattresses
In contrast to side sleepers, stomach sleepers need the exact opposite kind of mattress. A firm mattress will provide enough strength to keep the neck and spine in a neutral position. If you are a stomach sleeper and rely on a mattress that is too soft, you may dip into the mattress, causing your spine to adopt a bowl-shaped curve, which aggravates the issues along your spine and hip. Therefore, stomach sleepers need as much firmness as possible to avoid health issues and get a good night’s sleep.
Back Sleeper Mattresses
Back sleepers fall somewhere in between the other two. A mattress that’s too soft can cause similar problems to those that a stomach sleeper would experience, while one that’s too firm can cause the spine to contort in the opposite direction. Instead, back sleepers should look for a medium-firm mattress and a support pillow that can maintain the appropriate S-curve of the spine at the lower back.
Regardless of your sleep style, there’s a mattress that’s right for you. Take the time to try out different mattresses in display rooms at stores if there are any conveniently near you. Otherwise, you can rely on science and get a mattress that matches your style. Improve your health and get a better night’s sleep by choosing the best mattress for any sleep type.
By Christopher Gallagher
Christopher has gone through the throes of selecting mattresses suited to his unique sleep style, as well as conferring with professionals and reviewing the results of sleep studies. He has reviewed all kinds of foams and fillers and how they impact sleep according to different sleep styles.