At Naturelle, we believe that a good night’s rest is the foundation of a healthy and happy life.
In a market flooded with an array of mattress choices, we’re here to shed light on a crucial aspect often overlooked – the impact of mattress firmness on your sleep quality.
In this post, we delve into the common allure of soft mattresses, unravelling the reasons why you should think twice before succumbing to their plush charms.
The choice to steer clear of soft mattresses, in favour of medium-firm and firm options, isn’t just about support – it’s about transforming your nightly ritual into a truly restorative sleep experience.
Why You Should Avoid a Mattress That’s Too Soft
In the pursuit of a comfortable sleep surface, the temptation to opt for a soft mattress can be difficult to resist.
But before you dive into that cloud-like softness, consider this: soft mattresses might feel nice initially, yet they often lack the support your spine needs for a truly good night’s sleep.
Imagine sinking into a super-soft bed – it may feel cosy at first, but it can mess with your spine alignment.
Soft mattresses can undergo several changes over time, impacting their comfort, support, and overall performance.
Here are some common factors associated with soft mattresses as they age:
- Sagging:
Soft mattresses are more prone to sagging over time. The constant compression from body weight can lead to the gradual formation of indentations or depressions in the mattress surface. This sagging can compromise the overall support and comfort of the mattress. For more information about the drawbacks of a sagging Mattress, refer to our post: Why You Should Replace a Sagging Mattress.
- Loss of Support:
The initial plushness of a soft mattress diminishes as it ages. Over time, the materials used in the mattress, such as memory foam, quickly lose their resilience and ability to provide adequate support. This can result in decreased support for the spine and body.
- Reduced Durability:
Soft mattresses often have a shorter lifespan compared to firmer alternatives. The continuous compression and lack of inherent firmness can contribute to faster wear and tear, reducing the overall durability of the mattress.
- Increased Motion Transfer:
Soft mattresses are generally less effective at isolating motion. As they age, this characteristic may become more pronounced, leading to increased motion transfer. If you share the bed with a partner, movements on one side of the mattress may disturb the other sleeper.
- Potential for Allergens:
Soft mattresses, especially those with intricate padding or materials like memory foam, down or feathers, become a breeding ground for allergens such as dust mites (unlike organic latex and pure wool). Over time, these allergens can accumulate, potentially impacting the air quality and exacerbating allergies.
- Temperature Regulation Challenges:
Soft mattresses often struggle with temperature regulation. While others, like those containing memory foam, are not created to assist with temperature regulation. In fact, the materials used in softer mattresses and memory foam trap heat, leading to discomfort for sleepers who tend to sleep hot.
Why Soft Mattresses Aren’t the Ideal Sleep Solution
Choosing a soft mattress may seem appealing at first, especially if you already suffer from back or joint pain. But did you know? People who experience back or joint pain typically need to choose a mattress that provides adequate support, which is typically found in medium-firm to firm mattresses.
*Always remember to always consult your doctor if you have an underlying medical condition.
Firmer types of mattresses can help maintain proper spinal alignment, alleviate pressure points, and contribute to a more comfortable and restful sleep for those dealing with back and joint issues.
There are also practical reasons why soft mattresses are typically not the ideal sleep solution, mainly:
Lack of Spinal Support:
Soft mattresses often fail to provide adequate support for your spine. While the initial sinking feeling might be comfortable, it compromises proper spinal alignment, which is essential for a healthy sleep posture. In fact, by compromising your posture you run the risk of developing pain in various parts of the body, but commonly, the lower back, shoulders, hips and pelvic area.
Potential for Discomfort:
Over time, the plushness of a soft mattress can turn into discomfort. The lack of firmness may lead to a sinking sensation, making it challenging to find a comfortable position which can be maintained throughout the night.
Sleep Quality Impacts Your Quality of Life:
The compromise in support can negatively affect your overall sleep quality.
Poor overall sleep quality can have a significant impact on various aspects of health and well-being.
According to Healthline (2024), the effects of poor sleep quality can affect the body as follows:
- Central nervous system: Sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function, memory retention, and decision-making abilities.
- Cardiovascular system: Poor sleep quality is associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.
- Endocrine system: Sleep deprivation can lead to insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus and obesity.
- Digestive system: Poor sleep quality can contribute to weight gain and obesity by affecting hormones that regulate hunger and satiety.
- Metabolic disorders: Restricted sleep and poor sleep quality may lead to metabolic disorders, weight gain, and an increased risk of obesity.
- Mental health: Poor sleep quality can worsen symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, creating a vicious cycle.
- Skin health: Sleep deprivation can lead to skin problems, such as breakouts, puffy eyes, and dark circles
- Body composition: Poor sleep quality is negatively associated with bone mineral content, bone mineral density, and lean mass, and positively associated with fat mass percentage.
Furthermore, a systematic review published in the National Library of Medicine concluded that medium-firm mattresses, promote comfort, sleep quality, and rachis alignment (Caggiari et al. ,2021).
In essence, while the softness may be initially tempting, the long-term practical considerations of proper support, comfort, and durability make medium-firm and firm mattresses more reliable choices for a consistently satisfying and rejuvenating sleep experience.
How to Tell if Your Mattress Is Too Soft?
Determining if your mattress is too soft involves paying attention to specific signs that may affect your sleep quality and overall comfort.
One key indicator is the lack of proper support, leading to a sinking feeling when you lie down.
If you notice visible sagging or indentations in the mattress surface, it’s a clear signal that the mattress may be too soft and has lost its original firmness.
Additionally, waking up with back or joint pain, especially if it diminishes throughout the day, could indicate inadequate support.
Assess your sleep quality – if you find yourself tossing and turning or struggling to maintain a comfortable sleeping position, your mattress might be contributing to the issue.
Regularly evaluating these factors can help you determine whether it’s time to consider a firmer mattress for better support and improved sleep.
What to Do With a Mattress That Is Too Soft?
Dealing with a mattress that is too soft requires thoughtful consideration to enhance your sleep quality.
In the quest for a quality night’s sleep, you may consider using a bed board under your mattress to possibly create a firmer foundation which may slightly help improve its feel.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of this solution may depend on the specific issues with the mattress and its construction.
If a mattress is excessively worn, has lost its original structure, or is made with materials that inherently lack support, these measures will offer limited improvement.
Will a Mattress Topper Help a Mattress That’s Too Soft?
If your mattress lacks the necessary support, it may be worthwhile to consider adding a firm mattress topper to provide additional support and adjust the overall feel.
This can prolong the life of a mattress that is still in good condition; however, it is not worth wasting money on a low-quality topper.
Toppers are available in a variety of materials. Memory foam and regular polyurethane foam are the most common types of toppers.
Another market trend is the egg crate topper with its distinctive convoluted surface resembling the shape of an egg crate. These toppers generally provide minimal support. The convoluted design may feel comfortable initially, but it doesn’t offer the structured support needed for proper spinal alignment, particularly for those with back or joint issues.
Fortunately, there are better alternatives like Naturelle’s 100% organic latex and pure wool toppers. Unlike memory foam, they do not compress as you sleep on them, and provide superior support. Furthermore, our toppers are breathable, temperature-regulating, and hypoallergenic.
It is important to note that a topper can’t save a worn-out mattress. At this point, it is better to explore the option of investing in a new mattress with a medium-firm or firm feel. Depending on your budget, you could choose to replace the mattress alone or opt for an organic latex and pure wool futon.
Informed Choices: Separating Facts from Fiction in Mattress Buying
Choosing a mattress that provides the necessary support can significantly contribute to a better night’s sleep and overall well-being. But, to make an informed decision when purchasing a new mattress, you need to make sure that you do your research beforehand.
When you arrive at a store to speak to a salesperson about a new mattress, you need to bear in mind that they’ve heard every kind of question and have received training to help boost their sales. This means they will often be equipped with a rehearsed answer just to make a sale, even if it’s not entirely accurate. For instance, if a salesperson tries to sell you an “orthopaedic mattress”, then you should ask which governing body regulates the use of the term. You’ll find that there is none.
Unveiling Sleep Excellence: Naturelle’s Commitment to Transparency and Your Well-Being
The importance of relying on certifications, guarantees, and online reviews cannot be understated. We, at Naturelle believe in transparency in this regard.
That’s why we display all the information you need to make an informed decision on our website. Furthermore, when you phone the primary number listed on our website (0860 333 200) you are most likely calling Andrew – the owner of Naturelle. Andrew will be able to explain every intricate detail about the raw materials used in our manufacturing processes, as well as why we choose to produce mattresses using the Dunlop method rather than the Tallalay.
We believe in sharing all the important information and considerations related to purchasing a mattress so that you are confident to make an informed decision.
Will big corporations provide the same value, especially when they know that they are producing mattresses that are both harmful to you, as well as the planet? And we’re not just talking about entry-level beds, the really expensive ones follow the same principles.
We urge you to investigate how you can invest in your sleep health. We know the transformation will be worth it.
REFERENCES:
Caggiari, G., Talesa, G. R., Toro, G., Jannelli, E., Monteleone, G., & Puddu, L. (2021). “What type of mattress should be chosen to avoid back pain and improve sleep quality?” Journal of orthopaedics and traumatology: official journal of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 22(1), 51. Available from: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8655046/>. [Accessed February 2024].
Healthline. (2024) “The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Body”. <https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body>. [Accessed February 2024]
