Purchasing a mattress is a very personal experience, and only you will know what feels good to you. As such, always make sure you have ample time to test out the mattress – and remember: this is a major investment that will affect your overall health, so do your research and don’t be hasty when making a decision. Here is a checklist to keep in mind to determine your best fit.
1. Know your sleeping style
Whether it is on the side, on the back or on the stomach, different sleeping positions suit different types of mattresses. In short, soft to medium mattresses are ideal for side sleepers as they relieve pressure on shoulders and hips, while firm mattresses are great for back sleepers as they provide ample spinal support. For people who sleep on their stomach, firm mattresses are also good as they can provide even support across the body.
2. Do your research
There are so many different types of mattresses on the market these days, so get to know the different mattress types before heading to the store. Memory foam mattresses are firmer and can conform to the body’s curve, while pocket spring mattresses can be more yielding (depending on how tightly wound the springs are) and can relieve pressure on the body thanks to the individual springs housed in fabric pockets.
3. Take your time
When at the bedding store, give yourself ample time to try out a variety of mattresses. Select a mattress and lie down in your typical sleeping position. Evaluate the level of comfort and support of the mattress. When you lie down on your back, there should be no gaps between the mattress and your back. When you lie down on your side, the mattress should allow your spine to remain aligned, without creating any gaps between you and the mattress. Roll into different positions to make sure that you can move about the mattress easily without sinking in.
4. Get a second opinion
If you share the bed with a partner, make sure that both parties lie on the mattress together. This is to find out that the mattress is able to support your combined weight and that there is minimal disturbance when one partner moves around.
5. Relax
Once you have narrowed down your choices, go the extra mile and spend some extra time on the mattresses. Spend at least 10 to 15 minutes on the mattresses so that you can relax enough to feel the true support of the mattress.
A version of this article first appeared in SquareRooms.
