Home Garden

Firm Mattress Vs. Soft Mattress

Sleeping an average of eight hours a night, a person spends close to 3,000 hours or 120 days per year in bed. A good night's sleep promotes better physical health and emotional well being. Your mattress is a major contributing factor in determining the quality and quantity of nighttime sleep. Firm mattresses facilitate a night of restful sleep for some while others sleep soundly through the night on a soft mattress.
  1. Firm Mattress

    • A firm mattress has traditionally been recommended by doctors for people afflicted with back pain. According to the Spine-Health website (spine-health.com), a recent study was conducted in Spain involving patients with lower back pain. The conclusions revealed that a medium-firm mattress in lieu of a firm mattress may alleviate more back pain and provide better back support. The quantity and positioning of coils in a mattress determines its level of support.

    Soft Mattress

    • Soft mattresses are cushy and soft, but they aren't the best for everyone. People with back, neck or shoulder pain should avoid the soft mattress. Soft mattresses don't distribute your weight as evenly as firmer ones. You may wake up with your hips sagging or your shoulders slumping. Young people with none of the above-mentioned pain issues might enjoy the enveloping comfort of a soft mattress.

    Memory Foam Mattress

    • Memory foam mattresses are a result of the temper foam created by NASA in 1966 to absorb shock, improve protection and provide better comfort for their seats. Memory foam mattresses react to body pressure and heat, allowing them to mold quickly to the body's shape. People with joint sensitivity or other conditions may benefit from the body-contouring capabilities of a memory foam mattress.

    Replacing Your Mattress

    • If you are not sleeping well at night, you may benefit from evaluating your mattress and determining whether the time has come to replace it. Visible signs of wear and tear and feeling the coils when you lie down are obvious signs your mattress is in its final days. Other indicators signifying you may need a new mattress include morning aches and pains that don't diminish during the day, hearing creaking noises when moving around in your bed and rolling toward the middle of the bed.