Mattresses are the underpinnings of quality sleep (literally).
Ideally, your ideal mattress will ensure you sleep deeply: alleviating
pressure points, minimise tossing and turning, and be suited to your
sleeping profile (see below).
Deep sleep is essential: it’s clinically proven to enhance muscular repair,
brain detoxification from memory loss (neurotoxin beta amyloid), lessen
stress hormone cortisol and replenish dopamine and serotonin - your happiness hormones.
As a result of deep sleep, you’re mentally clear, calm and centred -
exactly how you want to feel after a solid rest.
Further, by aligning your spine, your ideal mattress maximises oxygen distribution:
critical to the restoration process. With insufficient oxygen, cell energy centres mitochondria can’t function:
so you can’t repair, rejuvenate and clear out old toxins.
Remember - waking up in pain is not an option. Chronic pain heightens stress and has
links to headaches, migraines, adrenal fatigue, anxiety disorders, depression and insomnia
- as noted in academic research.
Thus, a quality mattress isn’t a luxury: it’s a necessity.
Factors of your sleeping profile:
Are you a back or side sleeper?
Are you male or female?
Do you sleep with a partner?
Do you sleep ‘hot’?
Are you going through menopause or have any hormonal imbalances causing sweating?
Do you have any injuries; and if so, where are they?
Do you have allergies?
What’s your personal preference?
As a sleep expert, here’s your ultimate guide to finding the right mattress…
and getting the deep sleep you deserve.
Are you a back, stomach or side sleeper?
Regardless of your profile, it’s critical to have your spine aligned - this is what will help you sleep deeply, maximising the recovery processes of sleep.
Side sleepers, who have a smaller distribution of your weight engaged with the mattress, are likely to want a softer fabric - or at least something that moulds to your shape, like memory foam or latex.
Stomach sleepers on the other hand will usually want something firmer, as it prevents them sinking in too much which can compromise air flow.
And back sleepers? There is no atypical profile for you, and largely depends on the factors below to determine what is best.
2. What’s your build?
Not being sexist at all, but stereotypically, males have a heavier frame and thus need a mattress with added support to aid pushback. Similarly, overweight and obese individuals will also need added firmness to ensure they don’t sink in too much.
Your ideal mattress will provide you sufficient support so you don’t ‘sink in’ instead;
you float comfortably on top.
3. Do you sleep with a partner?
If you do, consider a dual mattress: a mattress with different single mattresses on either side. This is particularly helpful for partners who are significantly different profiles (e.g. large / small), different preferences (one likes a plush mattress; the other prefers a firm) or perhaps one who tosses and turns all night.
If not, memory foam may be the way to go - it has a feature called ‘motion isolation’.
This means one person can be tossing and turning all night and the other, only centimetres away; can be completely undisturbed.
4. Do you sleep ‘hot’, going through menopause or have a medical condition (e.g. thyroid) causing night sweats?
Medical conditions, menopause and sleeping ‘hot’ - be mindful that research indicates melatonin, the hormone to make you sleepy, is primarily produced when you have a cool core body temperature. Thus, in order to stay sleeping through the evening, keeping cool is key.
For this reason, memory foam and latex, although comfortable, may not be the best for you - your body typically sinks in mores than other fabrics. That said, this can easily be mediated by a thermoregulatory barrier, such as woollen bedsheets and mattress topper. As wool has the capacity to absorb moisture, meaning it can extract your sweat and ensure you stay sleeping.
5. Do you have injuries?
Often memory foam will be best, as it moulds to your body shape and prevents moving around too much - advantageous should you
want to avoid being in a particular painful position.
With regards to lower back pain, evidence indicates you a moderate-firm, rather than firm,
mattress will improve sleep.
6. Do you have allergies?
Antimicrobial fabrics foam and latex are the way to go - these reduce the spread of dust mites and mould,
which can otherwise cause you to itch, toss and turn through the night.
7. Have you tested it - in person - for 13 minutes?
Yes - 13 minutes. Research shows this is the time required to see if it suits you - and note you need to be in your typical sleeping position. It should allow you to stay atop, feel comfortable, rejuvenating and enjoyable.
8. Most importantly… whats your personal preference?
Outside of a price, what makes you most comfortable? This, beyond all else, is the most important. Even an investment of 5k, spread over 10 years, will come down to $500 a year - which is a small price to pay for a quality nights sleep.
