MattressRated Guide: Choosing the perfect mattress for you

What is Your Sleeping Style?: They way and the position that you sleep in should be one of the major considerations in choosing a new mattress. There are generally three sleeping styles: stomach sleepers, back sleepers and side sleepers. A majority of the population are side sleepers if you are a side sleeper, you should get a mattress with a plush top layer.

Side sleepers should also get a pillow with the right height and softness/firmness This allows your shoulders to sink into the top layer when you sleep, maintaining a natural body posture throughout the night. If you are a stomach sleeper you should get a firm mattress. If you sleep on your back, a medium-firm mattress would be best suited for you.

If you have chronic back pains: Some research has shown that adjustable airbeds work well for people with back pains. A majority of the test subjects reported significant improvements in their sleep quality and some reduction in their back pain. Its best to consult your doctor to help in the decision-making process. The key is to get a mattress with good support. Firmness Vs Support: Contrary to popular belief, firmness and support are two very different issues. A firm bed doesn’t necessarily mean that it gives good support. A soft and plush bed may provide a lot of support for your body (especially if they have a firm lower layer. The best kinds of beds/mattresses are those that are firm without being squishy. The best way to find out is to try it out.

Size: As a general rule, you should get the biggest bed that you can fit (within practical limits) into your room. As you may know by know, it is normal and healthy for someone to move around 20-30 times throughout the night. Having a good amount of space to move around is always good. Try Out the Mattresses: You should always try out a mattress before buying it. An expert once said that you should spend at least 20 minutes on a mattress before you decide to buy it. Considering that you are going to spend about a third of your life on it, a 20-minute trial sounds reasonable.