What is the Best Mattress for Side Sleepers?

Side, back, stomach? How do you prefer to sleep?

Did you know that depending on your sleep-position preference, there are considerations for choosing the right mattress? So how about you: do you find you prefer to sleep on your side?

In this article, we discuss why side-sleeping is widely preferred, what health concerns favour side-sleeping, words of wisdom to side-sleepers and of course, mattresses best suited to side sleepers.

The Popular Position

If you are a side sleeper, you are in good company. According to Danish and Norwegian researchers, Schjelderup et al., the predominant sleep position for adults is on the side. Furthermore, the preference for side-sleeping increases as both age and Body Mass Index (BMI) increase.

People often sleep on their sides to relieve pressure, most likely in the hips, back, or shoulder areas. Because of this, side sleepers will likely be best-served by a medium-soft mattress to provide relief from pressure. If your mattress doesn’t relieve your pressure, your body has to which can result in disrupted sleep and increased discomfort and pain.

According to Dr. Rachel Salas , Associate Professor of Neurology at Johns Hopkins Medicine, more factors that play into sleeping on your side include: improving snoring and mild sleep apnea and improving symptoms of heartburn (but note that it’s important to sleep on your LEFT side!).

Disadvantages of Side Sleepers

Beware of these disadvantages of sleeping on your side, however: If sleeping in a tight fetal position, arthritis can be exacerbated. Hips and shoulders can become painful as well if you don’t shift during the night. Shoulder surgeon, Dr. Braman, reports that long-term side-sleeping can also be linked to rotator-cuff tendinitis and hip bursitis.

Here at Direct Bed, we are passionate about helping you get into the best bed for your sleeping needs. If you are able to visit one of our Direct Bed stores (Stoney Creek location or St. Catharines), one of our experts can help you choose your best mattress that comes with a 100-Night Sleep Exchange Guarantee! In-store, we can help you check that your next mattress offers you proper spinal alignment and good support. You can also check this if you bring a shopping-partner: try lying on your preferred side on one of Direct Bed’s mattresses and have your partner take a picture of you from behind. When you review the photo, you should be able to draw a pretty straight line that connects the midpoints of your ears, shoulders, and hips. If this line trends downwards, you should try a firmer mattress.

Side Sleeper Pro Tip

Another pro tip: the right pillow can also help with proper alignment. Ask our friendly staff to recommend a pillow as well! Here’s a great option for all of us side sleepers. For more pillows, click here to view a wide range of options from more economical to splurge-worthy! Sometimes, placing a firm pillow between the knees can help side-sleepers with back pain by keeping the hips and knees aligned.

Side-sleepers! Check out these medium-soft mattresses specifically designed with you in mind. If you want to “browse” online, see our shopping guide designed for side sleepers, here. Some of our best recommendations include:

1. 1.) This 5-star reviewed Prince of Wales and Royal Suite mattresses offers contouring pressure relief pocket coils to help absorb pressure. This also helps to reduce motion transfer which is critical if you’re sharing a bed.
2. 2.) For memory foam fans, see our wide selection of the ultimate supportive and soft Tempurpedic mattresses.
3. 3.) For hot sleepers, consider our Georgian and London lines that offer a cool, gel foam mattress.
4. 4.) For great value and free shipping Canada-wide, our Louise Suite is optimized for side sleepers as well as back sleepers with its pressure relieving cool-gel memory foam technology.

For side sleepers who weigh more than 200 pounds, consider denser-foam matresses of at least 4 lb/cubic foot. Connect with Direct Bed experts at one of our stores, online, or by phone (1-844-475-3378) if you need any help selecting the right mattress! We’d be so pleased to help you get your best night’s sleep.