How Sleeping Positions Determine Your Mattress Choice

Getting good-quality sleep on a regular basis is an absolute must for our general health and wellbeing – and if good sleep proves elusive consistently, we put ourselves at risk of all sorts of potential problems, including depression, anxiety, poor cognitive function, a compromised immune system and chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

There are many ways in which you can help promote good sleep, including keeping your bedroom temperature controlled, eating a healthy well-balanced diet, avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking, exercising regularly and so on but good sleep also comes down to the bed itself and if you don’t have the right mattress for you, sleep might well elude you.

Interestingly, your preferred choice of sleeping position could actually have a big impact on which mattress is the best one for you, so it’s certainly worth investigating if you haven’t been sleeping well of late and can’t work out why.

Side sleeping

One of the most popular positions for sleep is on your side, but this can put a lot of pressure on your hips and shoulders. If you’ve been waking up feeling a bit sore and stiff in these areas, it might be that your mattress is too hard. 

As such, going for a softer one could help keep the pressure off – or you could consider using a memory foam mattress topper to help you drift off and enjoy deeper, more restful sleep.

Back sleeping

It’s often said that sleeping on your back is one of the healthiest ways to rest as it can help prevent back pain and ensures that your body gets the support it needs, with your spine properly aligned throughout the night.

However, if you do sleep on your back, you might find that a softer mattress does’nt provide you with enough support. If you’re feeling uncomfortable at night, why not invest in a firmer option and see if that makes a difference.

Stomach sleeping

While many of us do sleep on our stomachs, it’s generally advisable to avoid doing this if you can, as it can put stress and strain on your neck if it twists at a difficult angle. It can also put stress on your spine, so you may be waking up with both back and neck pain as a result.

That being said, stomach sleeping is often the go-to option for those who suffer from other sleep-related issues, such as sleep apnoea and snoring.

As such, the best mattress for the stomach sleepers out there is something firm so that your spine is afforded as much support as possible.

Combination sleeping

Combination sleeping is very common, where people switch positions frequently throughout the night from side to stomach to back. In this instance, you’ll want a mattress that supports you in a variety of ways, so a hybrid foam spring product could help you get good sleep. 

This means that your mattress will work with you and adjust as you move around, stopping you from waking up at silly hours in the morning.

FAQs

What kind of mattress is best for lupus patients?
Many lupus patients do well on a firm or medium?firm mattress with a soft latex or memory?foam topper, which keeps the spine supported while adding enough cushioning to reduce joint and muscle pain.

Which mattress is best for Parkinson’s?
For Parkinson’s, experts recommend a supportive, pressure?relieving mattress that isn’t too soft, often medium?firm foam or hybrid, with good edge support and, in more advanced cases, a specialist pressure?care mattress such as designs like ThevoCalm that make turning and repositioning easier.

What is the best mattress for ankylosing spondylitis?
People with ankylosing spondylitis are usually advised to choose a medium?firm mattress that balances spinal support with pressure relief, such as chiropractor?tested models like the Amerisleep AS2, which are designed to keep the spine aligned without creating painful pressure points.

Which type of mattress is best for sciatica pain?
For sciatica, a medium?firm memory?foam or hybrid mattress that contours to the lower back while preventing the hips from sinking too far—models similar to the Nectar Classic or supportive plus?size hybrids—tend to offer the best mix of relief and alignment.

What is the best mattress for L4 L5 disc bulge?
With an L4–L5 disc bulge, most spine and arthritis resources recommend a medium?firm, zoned foam or hybrid mattress that supports the lumbar region and evenly distributes weight, helping to reduce pressure on the affected disc while keeping the natural curve of the spine.

Marie Soukup( Expert Sleep Writer )

Marie Soukup is a seasoned senior copywriter and editor who’s written for global brands like Virgin Australia, blending storytelling and strategy to create content that connects. She’s passionate about bringing ideas to life across the travel, lifestyle, and business worlds.