Simple mattress guide for those with allergies, body pain, and for light sleepers

By Michelle Octa & J.C./ Photo by Pixel

A good night’s sleep keeps us mentally and physically strong, and it helps us unwind and feel recharged after a long, tiring day at work. How can we achieve comfortable and quality sleep? One of the secrets to that sound sleep lies in a good mattress. 

The thing is, mattresses come in different shapes, forms, and materials like coils, memory foam, latex, pillow top, you name it. And there is no easy answer for the best mattress for everyone. But the bottom line is that a good mattress suits your personal needs. Here we provide a simple guide on the mattresses for back pain, for those who suffer from allergies, and for light sleepers. 

For everyone who sleeps: A good mattress supports your body 

Supporting your body means that a mattress is neither too firm nor too soft. A mattress retailer provides an easy way to test whether a bed provides sufficient body support. Lie down and slide one hand under your back. If your hand slides behind your back easily, the mattress may be too firm for you. But the mattress is probably too soft if you can’t even budge your hand under your back. 

For those who are allergic to dust: A good mattress won’t cause you to sneeze, cough, and feel itchy 

Allergies have various causes. Some are allergic to dust and mites; others are allergic to certain materials. For allergy sufferers who plan to buy a mattress, it is vital to know what they are allergic to. 

People who are allergic to dust and mites should choose a natural latex mattress over one with a spring system. The spring system in a coil mattress collects dust and dust mite feces over time, mold, and mildew, but a natural latex mattress leaves no open area for dust mites to accumulate, said a report. 

But for those with latex allergy, lying on a latex foam mattress may cause itchy skin. According to Mayo Clinic, other conditions caused by latex allergy may include hives or throat swelling. 

If you are latex allergic and want to get rid of mattress allergies, a polyurethane mattress is your hypoallergenic alternative. A study tested mattresses made of coconut fiber, kapok, sponge-like polyurethane, and synthetic materials and observed how dust mites allergens had accumulated over time. It turned out that the polyurethane mattress collected the least allergens while the kapok mattress heaped up the most. 

For light sleepers: A good mattress protects your hard-won sleep 

If movements can easily disrupt your good night’s sleep, mattress motion isolation is crucial. It is especially true if you have a partner who tosses and turns as they sleep. Most websites studying mattresses agreed that latex and memory foam is good at motion isolation. They decrease the motion transfer from one side to another side of the bed.

For those with body pain: A good mattress helps you sleep comfortably

According to Spine Health, choosing the wrong mattress can cause or worsen lower back pain because the bed strains muscles and doesn’t keep the spine in alignment. 

Sleep foundation recommends those with back pain choose medium-firm beds with pocketed coils because they provide sufficient support for the body’s midsection– a constant source of body pain. People with joint pain can opt for latex foam mattresses as they provide cushioning for pressure points and sore muscles, said Wirecutter.    

All in all, there is no so-called best mattress for everyone because your body tells you different things. Listen to your body, and treat it nicely with a mattress that it loves. And your body will give you a good, sound sleep in return. 

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