Remember the waterbed craze of the 70s and 80s? Sit ‘n Sleep does. It’s hard to believe that many people actually preferred to sleep on a rolling wave of water. However, as with all fads, those days have passed. Customers are reverting back to a good old-fashioned firm mattress. People seem to be more concerned with their health than with having the latest in trendy bedroom furniture. Especially if that furniture leads to back problems and nights of restless sleep. There are so many firm mattress benefits, it’s not surprising more Americans are choosing them to sleep comfortably at night.
Years ago, your only choice for a firm mattress was an innerspring coil mattress with a sturdy box spring. This often required sacrificing comfort in order to get firm support. However, today’s advanced sleep technologies have led to many different types of firm mattresses. These include memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses.
Firm Mattress Benefits
People who have switched to a firm mattress usually have many reasons for doing so. But chiropractors, doctors and other medical professionals also tout firm mattress benefits. These include:
SUPERIOR COMFORT.
You can never have too much support, but you can always have too little. This is especially true for older people and those with back, neck or joint problems.
PROPER ALIGNMENT OF THE SPINE.
Proper posture matters, even during sleep. If your backbone is out of whack for eight hours, it can be hard to function normally the next day. A firm mattress does a better job of keeping it nicely aligned. As a result, you can get through the day without too much stress or strain.
DEEPER REST.
Our bodies can’t fully rest on a soft or sagging mattress, because it’s trying to compensate for the unorthodox positions. And it’s not just the spine that requires excellent posture. Even your limbs, neck and other body parts need a comfy, cozy retreat for a great night’s sleep.
PROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION.
Your body will eventually sag in one direction if you don’t get enough support. In turn, this can lead to misalignment in your joints and muscles.
ONGOING HEALTH BENEFITS.
There’s an axiom in the sleep industry that proper rest equals proper health. During sleep, your body does a hundred different things to repair and rejuvenate. Cells are restored. Human growth hormone gets activated. Insulin levels are reduced. Without a firm mattress to give deep rest, you’re missing out on these important health benefits every night.
Getting the Right Firmness for You
Believe it or not, a mattress that is too firm can also cause sleep and health problems. The mattress needs to support your body in a neutral position. Your spine should have a nice curvature and your buttocks, heels, shoulders, and head should be supported in proper alignment. If your mattress is too firm, it will push on those key pressure points and take you out of alignment. Conversely, if the mattress is too soft, those pressure points won’t be properly supported, making your whole body flop back.
Are Firm Mattresses Better?
According to sleep experts, a mattress with less cushioning is more likely to support a neutral spine position during sleep. When you sleep on a firm mattress with minimal cushioning, your bones bear most of the pressure. This frees up your muscles and allows the arteries and veins to relax. In turn, this improves circulation, which also helps you sleep better. The right mattress also prevents your lower back from collapsing when you lay on it. This stops your airway from becoming constricted, allowing the lungs to inhale more oxygen.
For the best night’s sleep, choose a level of firmness based on the following factors:
- Age
- Body Weight
- History of back, neck or joint pain
- Preferred sleep position
Sit ‘n Sleep: The Mattress Experts
Are firm mattresses better? It depends on what you’re looking for. While there are many firm mattress benefits, your body type and sleep position might need a softer one. Call or visit your local Sit ‘n Sleep and speak to one of our Sleep Consultants to see which mattress is right for you.
