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4 min.

21 November 2022

How to choose a mattress for light sleepers

#light sleepers #sleep products

It is still not completely understood why someone may be a light sleeper. It can usually be whittled down to genetics, sleeping disorders, lifestyle choices or bedroom environment, and there are also rarer reasons why people may be light sleepers, like medical conditions. Any noise, movement, or even smell can wake light sleepers from a deep sleep and make it tough for them to fall back asleep.

Being a light sleeper can lead to an overall poor quality of sleep. This can cause morning irritability, and in severe cases, it can be linked to long-term health problems. Disruptions to the regular sleep cycle increase your stress levels, sensitivity to pain, and ability to focus.

As mentioned, one of the key reasons people might be light sleepers is the bedroom environment, and one of the solutions to this could be selecting the best mattress. Having a better mattress can help you have a better quality of sleep and it may stop or help light sleeping patterns. 

In this guide, we provide you with tips on how to choose the best mattress for you and help you abolish poor sleep for good. By the end of this article, you should be able to identify which mattress attributes to look for to get the best sleep imaginable. 

How do I find the best mattress type for light sleepers?

Finding the perfect mattress for your sleeping needs can be a difficult task, but for light sleepers, this can be key for breaking their light sleeping patterns. There are a number of different factors to consider when choosing a mattress for a light sleeper and knowing them can inform what type can be the best for them.

Noise

How loud a mattress is can heavily affect light sleepers. For example, if you own a spring loaded mattress, over time the springs will begin to creak, which could result in light sleepers being easily woken due to the noise. This will be of particular concern when light sleepers are sharing a bed with their partner or spouse. A solution to this could be to purchase a foam mattress, as this will reduce the noise produced from movement and it will increase the chance of light sleepers having a better sleep.

Comfort

A comfortable mattress is preferable for everyone, but light sleepers would see the most benefit from choosing a mattress that is comfortable. Heavy sleepers will find it easier to have a good night's sleep no matter the quality of mattress. However, if light sleepers have a mattress that is not comfortable, they will have little to no chance of having a full night's rest. Therefore, having a mattress with maximum comfort will be of huge benefit. We recommend the hybrid mattress as the best fit for this need. 

Temperature

If a bed is too hot or too cold, it can give light sleepers a tough time with falling asleep and staying asleep. Depending on which one you prefer, there are some mattresses that are naturally cooler than others and vice versa. If you are a light sleeper and find that the heat from your mattress is waking you up more often, you could invest in a latex or innerspring mattress, as they are naturally cooler than memory foam mattresses, for example.

Size

The size of your mattress can be important, especially for light sleepers. The ability to move around during sleep can lead to a better night’s sleep overall and it will allow light sleepers to feel as though they have more freedom. If you are a light sleeper and have to sleep next to your partner, having a larger mattress will be of greater benefit to you, as you will have more space compared to having a smaller mattress. 

Sleeping positions

Light sleepers are able to get a better sleep when they choose a mattress that suits their sleeping position. This is because every sleeping position has a preferred type of mattress.

Back sleepers

Back sleepers can be a little difficult to suggest a mattress for, as it is important to ensure that their spine is in a neutral alignment to guarantee the best possible sleep. In most cases, a mattress that is too firm can give back sleepers unpleasant tension in their shoulders and lower back. However, if the mattress is too soft, it can result in a bowed back and shooting pains up the spine. Therefore, light sleepers that sleep on their back should experience the best quality of sleep with a middle range of firmness. This helps alleviate tension across the back and prevent aches and pains related to arthritis, so it will decrease the chance of waking up during the night.

So, if you are a light back sleeper, we would highly recommend that you seek a mattress such as the Emma Hybrid mattress. 

Side sleeper

Side sleepers require deep pressure relief at the shoulders and hips. Therefore, it is likely that a softer mattress would do the trick and provide side sleepers with the best quality of sleep. Softer mattresses allow contours to the curves of the body to prevent uncomfortable jamming in the night. 

For light sleepers who adopt the side sleeping position, we recommend that a memory foam mattress may be the best option for you. It would provide you with better body-contouring, sinkage, and pressure relief, compared to other mattress types. This would likely lead you to having a better night's sleep overall. 

Stomach sleepers

It is important for stomach sleepers to use a firm mattress that lifts the hips in line with the shoulders. Using a soft mattress could cause your hips to sink out of alignment, which can cause aches and pains when sleeping. This, of course, doesn't mean that you need a rock hard mattress that has no comfortability, but rather a mattress that combines supportive foundations with other comfort layers to provide some cushion to the firmness.

If you are a light stomach sleeper, we recommend that you invest in an innerspring or hybrid mattress for the best results. These will allow you to keep your body aligned, while also providing you with maximum comfort.

More from Sunrise by Emma

Hopefully, this guide has helped you find the best mattress to aid your light sleeping patterns. You can find more sleep-related articles which offer tips and advice on sleep health and sleep wellness across our website. You can also see recommended sleep products that will aid your sleep. 


Also, head over to Emma Sleep for research-backed sleep products to ensure a good night's sleep, such as special mattresses, pillows and weighted blankets.

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