Comfort and longevity are the two main factors to consider when buying a mattress. Mattress shopping can be a nightmare, so to make this process easier for you, we have listed a few factors to help you decide how to choose the right mattress.

Comfort Versus the Feel of a Mattress
Comfort not only refers to the feel of the bed, but it also applies to how well your bed is designed to support your sleeping posture.
A good mattress must support the alignment of your spine, no matter what position you sleep in.
Proper support reduces stress on your body and helps to keep your joints mobile so that you can keep moving throughout the day.
Mattress Firmness

Firmness is often one of the first things people consider when buying a mattress. Firmness is a crucial factor, but it is important to remember that this is often subjective; because your perception of firmness is influenced by your body type and your sleeping position.
Ultimately, firmness is based on how well pressure is distributed by your mattress while you sleep.

Mattress Firmness and Your Sleeping Position
Soft Mattresses
The word soft is often associated with a feeling of luxury and comfort; however, this is not entirely true regarding mattresses.
Soft mattresses offer little support as your body sinks into the mattress itself. A lack of spinal support frequently causes back and joint issues.
Soft mattresses are often not ideal for people sharing a bed, especially if there is a weight difference between individuals. This is because the heavier person will sink further into the mattress, creating an unbalanced sleep area.
Soft mattresses also wear out faster than firmer options, according to the Sleep Foundation (2022). This means that softer mattresses end up being more costly in the long run.

Medium-Firm Mattresses
Medium-firm mattresses are generally categorised as good all-rounders; offering adequate support for various sleep positions.
Side sleepers often favour a medium-firm mattress because the support helps to reduce the increased pressure on their hips and shoulders.
Back sleepers tend to favour medium-firm mattresses because they help to reduce pressure in specific areas of the back, neck, and spine.
Medium firmness is also a good choice for lighter people because they provide enough support to stop them from sinking into the mattress.

Firm Mattresses
A firm mattress is a good choice for people who sleep on their stomachs.
Sleeping on your stomach puts pressure on the middle of your body, placing strain on your back, spine, and neck (Healthline, 2018).
Sleeping on your stomach can lead to referred pain because it puts pressure on your spine, which has a high concentration of nerves. If you sleep on your stomach, it is best to avoid memory foam and softer mattresses.

People who weigh more than 110kgs will benefit from the spinal support provided by a firm mattress.
A firm mattress is good for weight distribution and places less strain on the muscles, veins, and arteries – helping to improve circulation (WebMD, 2014). They also help prevent the back from collapsing while you sleep.
Carefully Consider What Materials Are Inside a Mattress
The main consideration is the composition of the mattress. Mattresses containing polyurethane foam (or memory foam) tend to break down quickly. Memory foam traps in heat, and over time this heat causes the mattress to compress and eventually wear out.
To make up for wear and tear, you’ll often come across mattresses that contain a combination of springs and foam. The springs in these mattresses offer compensation for the relative weakness of the foam layer on top. As the foam begins to break down, the springs in the mattress also start wearing out – due to the uneven weight distribution of your body. Eventually, the springs start to push through the foam of the mattress; resulting in a very uncomfortable sleep surface.
These are important factors to remember when you consider how to choose the right mattress.

Latex and Wool to the Rescue!
Pure wool and organic latex is a unique combination that we are extremely proud of!
We use these materials in our mattresses because they are extremely durable. They are also breathable materials, which means they don’t trap heat and moisture.
Ultimately, it is the combination of heat and moisture that reduces the lifespan of your mattress. This is why our mattresses are designed to last more than twenty years!

The benefits of organic latex and pure wool don’t end with the longevity of the mattress. Our beds support all aspects related to sleep health, including:
- Superior support to enhance your sleep posture.
- Even pressure distribution on your back, neck, spine, and joints.
- Temperature regulation – a critical factor for helping you fall asleep faster, reducing frequent waking, and even boosting your metabolism according to Harvard Medical School (2007).
- Night-time allergy prevention – our beds are hypoallergenic and deter dust mites, mould, and bacteria.
- Reduced exposure to carcinogens – our beds do not contain any petrochemicals (the common component of memory foam).
Furthermore, our beds are completely biodegradable and our latex is tapped from the Rubber Tree without destroying the tree itself!
All these benefits are essential to consider when you start thinking about how to choose the right mattress.
*For more information on how to shop for the perfect mattress online, check out our mattress buying guide: How to Buy a Mattress Online.

Applause, Celebration, and Ovation Mattresses
All Naturelle mattresses contain organic latex and pure wool.
We have two main categories of mattresses to choose from.
Our Applause and Celebration mattresses contain pocket springs; while our Ovation is entirely made of latex and wool (no springs).
Benefits of Pocket Spring Mattresses:
Pocket springs allow for even weight distribution. Pocket springs have a natural springy feel, but they react to pressure changes without causing your whole bed to shake as you move.
Furthermore, the layer of latex above our pocket spring mattresses is extremely durable; which means that the springs won’t easily wear through the latex above them (especially if you choose the correct mattress for your weight).
Benefits of the Ovation Mattress:
Our Ovation mattress is incredibly long-lasting because of the quantity and strength of the latex used in the manufacturing process. This indulgent mattress is rich in texture, with a luxurious feel, matched by the supreme level of comfort. If you are looking to invest in your sleep and improve your life, look no further than the Ovation mattress.
For the love of wool, we urge you to sleep on nature, not on fossil fuels!
Don’t hesitate – your health and well-being impact every aspect of your life. You deserve the best! Shop online today.
REFERENCES:
Harvard Medical School. (2007) “The Characteristics of Sleep”. Available from: <http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/science/what/characteristics>. [Accessed October 2022].
Healthline. (2018) “Is It Bad to Sleep on Your Stomach?”. Available from: <https://www.healthline.com/health/is-it-bad-to-sleep-on-your-stomach>. [Accessed October 2022].
Sleep Foundation. (2022) “Mattress Firmness”. Available from: <https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-construction/mattress-firmness>. [Accessed October 2022].
WebMD. (2014) “The Best Mattress for a Better Night’s Sleep”. Available from: <https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/best-mattress-good-nights-sleep>. [Accessed October 2022].