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Nest Bedding Sleep Education

Is My Mattress Too Firm or Too Soft?

Explore how bedding layers, pillow fit, and breathable materials can help create a more comfortable sleep system.
top fabric pattern of the firm side of the raven mattress
One of the most perplexing dilemmas facing modern society is how to achieve proper rest. There are so many factors at war with our body and mind: Stress, electronic gadgets, bedding made with plastic, non-supportive mattresses. It's a wonder anyone gets any rest these days. Being a mattress company owner, sleep and the issues people have with sleep obviously comes up in conversation quite a bit. The general consensus? The vast majority of people are not sleeping well.

While there are a myriad of potential issues as to why someone would not be sleeping well, the lack of support from a mattress too soft for your body, or the pressure from one too hard for your build are the chief complaints of people who complain about their mattress. So, which mattress is the best? 

There is no definitive answer as to which one is better, it is wholly subjective. What is best for one person is painful for another. We all have different builds, weights and physical features and characteristics which influence the type of mattress feel we would prefer. 

However, there are a few generalities:

  • Back sleepers tend to find a firm mattress more supportive
  • Side sleepers tend to prefer a softer mattress
  • Stomach sleepers like a flat and firm surface
There are many issues which can influence your preference, such as:

  • Weight
  • Injuries
  • Partner sleeping
  • Age
  • Activities
If you are experiencing pain on your side as a side sleeper, it is likely your mattress is too firm, or does not have enough padding. If you are experiencing lower back pain, chances are your mattress is either too soft, or is broken down in the middle. If you are experiencing neck pain, it could be either, and can also be your pillow.

Regardless if you are sleeping on a memory foam mattress or latex natural organic mattress, you could be suffering from a too hard or too soft mattress. 

If your mattress is too soft, you can try firm it up by adding vented plywood under the mattress. This works great if you have a flexible box spring. If you are on a non-yielding box spring or slats, it won't change the feel. If your mattress is too hard, simply add a topper. We carry many of these products at Nest Bedding.

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