How to Make an Uncomfortable Mattress Comfortable

Adjust the temperature of your bedroom by changing the materials on your bed. Avoid synthetic bedding in favor of natural materials such as 100-percent cotton sheets and down-filled blankets, pillows and mattress pads. Natural fibers provide warmth when your room is cold, and cool sleeping surfaces when your room is warm. Use bedding that feels comfortable to you and suits your preferences.

Place a bed board beneath your mattress. Bed boards add support to soft mattresses and are particularly beneficial to people with back problems. Specialty back boards are available for purchase, although a sheet of 3/4 plywood cut to fit the size of your bed will also work. Slide the board beneath you mattress and test the bed. If the additional support does not help you to feel more comfortable and sleep more soundly, remove it.

Use the proper shape, size and type of pillows. Pillows should provide support for your head at a comfortable height. Pillows that are too thick, or that have been piled too high, can result in neck injury or soreness. If the sudden change in height between your bed surface and your pillow is too great for your comfort, try a cervical pillow. Cervical pillows serve as a ramp that gradually climbs from bed to pillow height, supporting your neck and shoulders along the way.

Experiment with pillows as leg and back supports. The pressure placed on the curved portion of the spine is increased when laying flat, and as a result, people with bad or injured backs may experience great discomfort in bed. Try placing a pillow between your knees when laying on your side. Try placing a pillow beneath your knees when laying on your back. Use a pillow to support your legs. Continue to experiment to see if added support can ease your discomfort. Memory foam or latex pillows are form fitting and may provide a gentler form of support than traditional pillows.

Create two separate comfort zones if you share your bed with a partner. Each person can use his or her own pillows, bedside lighting and even a dual-zone electric blanket to ensure that the bed is custom to both occupants.

Create an atmosphere supportive of a good night's sleep. Remove any dust and do not allow pets in the bedroom if you have any hint of an allergy or breathing issue. Cover alarm clocks and other light sources that may interfere with your sleep environment. Remove all clocks from view, as they are a constant reminder of the time and how long you've got left to sleep, which can effect your rest. Keep your bedroom cool. Most people are best able to sleep in temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.