Poor posture can be the culprit behind many ailments such as arthritis, back pain, heartburn, and much more. When choosing the right mattress, it may be best to look for something that promotes good posture and sleeping position, especially if you regularly suffer from uncomfortable aches and pains. In order to make your decision easier, read below on how your mattress can contribute to bad posture and back pain and what type of mattress you should choose to avoid these problems.
Causes of Poor Posture
There are many reasons why someone might have poor posture, and lifestyle factors can easily contribute and worsen the situation. Poor posture can arise from your job (sitting at a desk all day), lack of proper exercise or nutrition, genetics, obesity, and even regularly looking down at your phone screen. As you age, you may begin to notice the effects of bad posture more frequently. When you sleep, it’s important to have sufficient support and spinal alignment from your mattress so that you don’t end up in improper positions, which can lead to poor posture and a range of other maladies such as back and neck pain. If you notice that you have bad posture and are looking to fix it, you will need to focus on changing your lifestyle in numerous ways, such as your diet, activity levels, ergonomics, and sleep quality.
Sleeping Positions and Your Mattress
There are three main sleeping positions (side, stomach, and back), and each one says something about which mattress you should be using. Side sleepers are most common and usually benefit from softer mattresses, which they can sink into for pressure relief. You may opt for a memory foam mattress for more cushioning and even weight distribution if you are a side sleeper. Sleeping on your stomach is said to be the worst position for your health and sleep quality, as it can lead to neck strain and back pain. However, if you are comfortable in this position, choose a firm mattress, so you don’t sink into it too much while sleeping and throw off your spinal alignment. Lastly, if you are prone to sleeping on your back, try a medium-firm mattress so that you have support, but don’t sacrifice comfort.
Since most sleeping positions and mattresses are not one-size-fits-all, you may sleep in different positions at different times and are actually a combination sleeper. If this is the case, a latex mattress could offer the right amount of support and comfort for a variety of sleeping positions. Innerspring mattresses and pocket coils could have the same benefits for combination sleepers as well, so make sure to consider these options.
Mattress Support and Posture
Chairs, mattresses, and even sofas can aggravate back problems and contribute to poor posture. This is why so many companies invest in ergonomic chairs, desks, and computer supplies to keep their employees healthy, comfortable, and efficient. The same goes for your mattress. You want to be comfortable without sacrificing your health and well-being. Your mattress needs to support your body weight and promote spinal alignment; it’s not just a big comfy cushion sitting pretty on your bed! Mattresses become part of the problem when they are old, sagging, or just not a great fit for your lifestyle. If this happens, you can end up with a mattress that creates unnatural curves in your sleeping position. This will ultimately lead to aches, pains, and poor-quality sleep, leaving you groggy and grumpy in the mornings. To prevent this, do your research and choose the right mattress for your sleeping style and habits.
Mattress Firmness
Generally, firm mattresses can help with back pain, poor posture, and joint and muscle issues. You might want to buy an extra firm mattress if you find that you are in pain frequently, especially after waking up. Softer mattresses cradle the body and provide cushioning, whereas firm mattresses offer more support to a resting body. Keep in mind that there are in-between options as well, so you can decide just how firm or soft your mattress is.
Good posture is not only beneficial for your health; it also means looking great and feeling better! Don’t let pesky slouched shoulders and persistent bad habits keep you from taking the necessary steps to improve; pretty much anyone can learn to fix their posture over time.
For more information on extra firm mattresses in Toronto, please call Mattressville at 905-212-7722 or contact us here. Your health and well-being are important to us, and we take great pride in the selection of mattresses we offer. Contact us today and be well on your way to a better, healthier, and more comfortable sleep. After all, good sleep starts on the right mattress.
