When we’re asleep, most of us change position occasionally throughout the night, but we may prefer to get to sleep in a specific position, or spend most of the night in a preferred position.
The side sleeper is the most common sleep position, whether that’s to the left, to the right or a mix of both, and while firmness is a matter of personal preference, there are some general guidelines when shopping for a new mattress;
- Side sleepers often require a ‘just right’ mattress that is not too firm and not too soft
- Too soft and your hips and shoulders will sink out of alignment
- Too firm, and the mattress won’t give enough support for your joints
- The best mattress for side sleepers is soft to medium-soft to medium
- Body weight can make a difference - lighter can go softer, while heavier builds will benefit from firmer mattresses
The good news is that side sleepers will get along with most fillings and mattress types.
What are the pressure points for side sleepers?
Side sleepers tend to put more pressure on the following areas of the body. These areas can become tender or experience stiffness if the mattress is too hard;
- Ears
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Hip
- Thigh
- Leg
- Heel
What is the best mattress for side sleepers?
- Side sleepers are best served by medium to soft mattresses. Given the variety of pressure points, these types are needed to counteract any strain in the shoulder, neck or hips
- Side sleepers need a responsive mattress that is able to support the full curvature of the spine. Too firm, and this will burden those pressure points. Too soft, and those pressure points will sink further out of alignment
- Lighter build? Opt for a soft mattress, whereas heavier builds should go for medium
- Simba mattresses are engineered to offer responsive support. The Simba Hybrid Pro mattress has a double stack of Aerocoil springs that seamlessly bend and flex around your body
- If your mattress is too firm and you don’t want to replace it, you can create additional support for those pressure points using Simba’s Hybrid Mattress Topper
It’s always a good idea to refresh the five questions you need to ask before shopping for a new mattress.
What is the best pillow for side sleepers?
Neck support is crucial for side sleepers to maintain the neutral spine, so don’t overlook the importance of a good pillow. A neutral spine is the best way to avoid any pain in the morning.
- Side sleepers generally need a plump but firm pillow.
- All side sleepers should ensure that their pillow offers good support to the neck to maintain the neutral spine position.
- Pillows that are supportive, but can be adjusted to suit your personal requirements offer the best solution for side sleepers, such as Simba’s Hybrid Firm Pillow.
- Avoid pillows that are too flat or underfilled.
- You can also place a pillow between your knees for extra support
Simba’s Hybrid® Firm Pillow consists of three separate inner pillows that can be adjusted to suit your sleeping style, your preferred level of firmness and to keep the spine in the neutral position. The single layer of Aerocoil® springs and two Simba Renew fibre layers can be put into three different combinations, offering: medium, medium firm, and firm - simply by placing the spring layer on the bottom, in the middle or the top.
