The average household buys a new mattress once every 8-10 years, and many people actually hold on to their old mattress for far longer than that. Mattresses can be categorized as either soft or firm, depending on the level of sinkage they offer. These days, it’s also common to find mattresses that offer a combination of both. Generally speaking, soft mattresses offer more cushioning and are more comfortable to fall asleep on. The firm mattresses are firmer in feel, and they’re often more durable and have better support. Before purchasing a mattress from a mattress store Tucson, read the following guide on how to know if you need a firm or soft mattress.
Sleeping Position
Side sleepers can find comfort on soft mattresses because they offer more support for the natural curve of your spine as you lay along them. They also conform to each individual body shape better than firm mattresses do, which can relieve pressure points and reduce back pain. The best soft mattresses will also include multiple layers of foam, which will provide you with the perfect level of support for your body, as well as a comfortable sleeping surface that curves to fit perfectly around you.
Stomach sleepers can benefit more from firm mattresses. As long as you are healthy enough to do so without causing yourself any harm, stomach sleeping can be a great way to get the best out of your mattress. Since you don’t have much weight bearing on them, soft mattresses are better suited for side sleepers than they are for stomach sleepers who place all their body weight onto one small area at once. This is why firm and extra-firm mattresses are more beneficial for stomach sleepers.
Budget
Firm mattresses can last you a lifetime, while soft ones will wear out sooner and need replacing more frequently. Again, this is because firm mattresses distribute their weight evenly over their surface area, which creates less pressure on them than softer mattresses do when they’re subjected to the same amount of weight. This, in turn, causes firm mattresses to cost more than soft mattresses. When you have a limited budget to work with, your choice will be limited to soft mattresses.
Spinal Alignment
If you suffer from back pain, and your spine isn’t straight, this will be causing pressure points in the different areas of your body and reducing circulation to vital organs such as your heart and brain – both of which rely on good blood flow for optimum health. Soft mattresses allow your body to sink into them, which will cause misalignment of both spinal and neck bones over time – particularly if you suffer from chronic back pain or have other conditions such as arthritis that impact healthy bone movement. You may need a firm mattress if you have back pain and are sleeping on a soft mattress.
Maintenance Needs
Unlike soft mattresses, firm ones are much easier to clean and maintain. They’re also less likely to develop stains or odors over time, making them more hygienic alternatives for people with allergies who have a hard time sleeping on their old mattress if they have odors.
Heat
While soft mattresses do provide a more comfortable sleeping surface, they also trap heat and moisture, which can cause your body temperature to climb. This is especially true for people with allergies or sensitive skin who find that their eyes are constantly itchy at night when lying on a mattress. Firm mattresses have a lower heat retention rate than soft ones. This means that they will keep you cool at night and your body won’t feel as uncomfortable, which is why many people prefer them during the summer months or in hot climates.
Motion Isolation
If you have children or live with a partner, then motion isolation can be a deciding factor when it comes to choosing the right mattress for your needs. Soft mattresses tend not to offer good support for heavier people, which means that they’ll move around more throughout the night as they sleep, and this will cause you or your partner to lose sleep. Firm mattresses are much better at isolating motion, which means that they won’t disturb your sleep and can help improve the quality of rest during both daytime naps, night shifts, or overnight stays away from home.
Overall, the choice of a mattress depends on the factors named above. Suppose you can’t decide on which mattress to purchase. In that case, you should know that combination mattresses are the best type of bedding to have because they offer great stability for your spine, plus all the comfort benefits offered by soft and firm together.
