Matters of Support
Plush or firm? Latex, innerspring, memory foam, or air? The right answer for you is deeply personal and comfort is always subjective. For years, the rule-of-thumb was to get a firm mattress. However, body contours are not flat no matter whether you’re a back, side or stomach sleeper. Many conventional firm beds leave unsupported gaps between your body and the mattress. The body craves support when it needs rest and requires a sleep surface that conforms to those contours yet feels good. The best mattresses and pillows will keep your whole spine in alignment, from the tip of your toes to the top of your head. Supporting without stiffness, cradling without confining.

Back? Side? Stomach?
How you sleep is important: Side sleepers need firmer pillows and support given a large space gap between the mattress and their ear and shoulder blade. However, the same sleeper may need a plusher mattress to support the hips and shoulders (and associated contours) which exert a lot of pressure on the mattress which could lead to more pressure points.

Just Right - Latex mattresses offer conforming support and even weight distribution to keep your spine naturally aligned in a fully relaxed position.

Too soft - While a soft bed may feel good at first, inadequate support of your lower back (where your body weight is concentrated) can cause pain and stiffenes.

Too Firm - A hard sleep surface provides uneven support and causes uncomfortable high pressure areas that cause your to toss and turn during the night.

If you sleep on your back, you may want to consider a medium firmness pillow to avoid the spine from improperly bending. To prevent back pain, stomach sleepers may need a lower profile or plusher pillow to ensure the neck and spine are in alignment. The key to selecting the right mattress for you is to not rush the process. Spend a few minutes lying down on several types of mattresses in your favorite sleep position. Pay attention to the position of your spine. Your body should feel completely relaxed in about 2 minutes. It’s uncomfortable to stay on a bed in a store for 2-3 minutes but it is critical to better understand the level of comfort and support the bed provides.