A firm mattress can be great for various types of sleepers – they provide high levels of support and ensure that your spine is aligned throughout the night. If you sleep on your back or stomach, a firm mattress may be recommended, however, you may not find them the most comfortable. Thankfully, there are ways in which you can improve your mattress to make it more comfortable, like adding a mattress topper or changing your bed frame. We’ll take a look at how to make your mattress more comfortable below.
If you think your mattress is uncomfortable because it’s old and worn, and you simply need a new one, you can choose the best-suited, most comfortable mattress for your sleeping position, so you can benefit from a restful sleep each night.
Firm mattress materials
Some of us like the feel of a firm mattress, whether this is because we need more support to keep our spine aligned when sleeping on our backs, or we need support in the lumbar region when sleeping on our front. A firm mattress can help reduce pain around the body that you may experience if you don’t have a supportive mattress. Here are some of the firmest mattress materials that you can take advantage of for additional support.
- Latex: You may not realise it, but latex mattresses offer some of the firmest support on the market. Whilst they are incredibly durable, they are also heavy and firm, great for additional support, but not so good if you prefer a softer feel.
- Innerspring: Some of the most traditional mattresses – an innerspring model is one of the firmest due to its pocket-spring core. It may not feel as firm as a latex mattress, and it comes with a comfort topper.
- Hybrid: This type of mattress has layers of both comfort and support, and because it’s made up of foam, and springs, you can choose the firmness to suit you, and the way you sleep.
How to create a more comfortable environment
Sometimes, your preferences change – what if you’ve decided you’d prefer a softer mattress, rather than the firm material you first chose? Or maybe you need a firm mattress for support, but don’t find them comfortable. Thankfully, there are ways in which you can make your mattress more comfortable, to suit your needs, which you can try before you invest in a whole new product! Here are a few possible solutions.
Mattress toppers
A mattress topper is the best place to start when it comes to improving the feel of your mattress. It’s a thin layer of padding, that can be made up of foam, down, or feathers to help create a softer sleep surface. You can choose a topper to suit your preferences, and even take advantage of gel-infused toppers that keep you cool when you sleep. They are relatively affordable but be aware – they shouldn’t be used as a way of disguising an old, unsupportive mattress!
Choose a new bed frame
Sometimes your bed frame can make your mattress feel firm and uncomfortable. A way that you can improve the firmness of your mattress is to change your bed frame to a base that has sprung slots, or a sprung base. This can help give your mattress more bounce and will reduce the tension that comes with a firm mattress. Bed frames can be expensive, so make sure your mattress is not worn out before you upgrade.
Rotate the mattress
Flipping your mattress could be a good way of reducing increasing wear and means both sides of your mattress get worn equally. If your mattress doesn’t have a definite top and bottom, flipping it over can change the way it feels completely. Turn your mattress and see what it feels like sleeping on the other side. If it’s more comfortable, it’s likely the other side is worn and full of lumps and bumps.
Buy a new one
If nothing seems to be working when it comes to making your bed more comfortable, it may be time to get a new one. A mattress can be an investment, but it’s essential that you upgrade when needed. Continuing to sleep on a worn-out mattress will only have implications on the way you feel when you wake up. For example, you’re more likely to wake up with aches and pains and suffer from interrupted sleep. Make sure you can identify a worn-out mattress so that you can make the change