Everybody has a view on how they like their beds. While some of us prefer firm beds, others like lying on soft mattresses. If you are not comfortable with the firmness of your mattress, you may be wondering if there is a way you can soften it. Before we share some useful tips that you can try, find out why the firmness level of a mattress is essential.
Why should you care about the firmness level of your mattress?
Your body type and weight have a significant impact on the firmness of your mattress. This is because if, for instance, you are a heavyweight, there is a high chance that you can sink down into the mattress fast, making it easy for you to soften it over a short duration. A petite person on the other hand tends to remain on the surface rather than sinking into it. This makes it hard for them to make a firm mattress softer. That is why most petite people often have trouble getting a soft, feeling mattress.
As you consider the firmness level of your mattress, you should also factor in the type of sleeper you are. If, for instance, you are a stomach or back sleeper, you may need a firm mattress that can support your hips and shoulders to help you maintain the proper alignment of your spine. If you lie on a very soft mattress and sleep on your stomach or back, your hips can sink too deep into the mattress, causing your spine to align itself inappropriately.
Side sleepers should, however, go for soft mattresses since they can comfortably accommodate their shoulders and hips. If you are a side sleeper and lie on a very firm mattress, it can interfere with the circulation of blood in your hips and arms, causing numbness through the night.
Apart from your body weight and the type of sleep position you prefer, having specific health issues should help you choose the right firmness level for your mattress. A soft mattress is better when you have problems such as pain in your joints.
Since we spend so much time sleeping, you should try as much as you can to remain comfortable for you to promote a goodnight’s sleep. The proper alignment of your spine during sleep can also boost your overall health.
A guide to softening a mattress
If you have just discovered the right firmness level for your mattress and would like to soften it up, here are some of the tips you can try.
• Break it in
Most mattress customers often buy mattresses that are too firm to sleep on. This should not discourage you since you can try breaking it in. Sleeping on the mattress every day can help you break it in gradually. If you, however, want to speed up this process, consider walking on top of the bed every day for some few minutes without shoes. If you have kids, allow them to jump on the bed from time to time to help you soften the mattress. According to mattress manufacturers, a new mattress should soften within 60 days after purchase.
• Always confirm the trial period
Reputable mattress dealers have particular trial periods that give you the chance to test out the firmness of your mattress before you commit yourself fully. While most of the companies have a trial period of 100 nights, others such as Nectar offer extended trial periods. This manufacturer has a generous trial period of 1 year. If you buy a mattress and are not comfortable with its firmness level, you may be eligible for a refund by working with a manufacturer that has a reasonable trial period. Some of the companies even offer to come and take back the mattress from your home.
• Flip the mattress
Some of the mattress manufacturers also offer varying firmness levels on each side of a mattress. You could, therefore, try flipping the mattress to see if it is softer and more comfortable to sleep on. You should also consider rotating it from time to time so that the mattress does not form some indentations or start sagging. Most people tend to sleep on the same mattress spot every night, increasing the formation of indentations on it.
Permanent indentations tend to compress the comfort layers of your bed, making it firmer. When you rotate the mattress, you make it easy for heavy body parts such as the shoulders and hips to rest on different spots.
• Warm it up
Mattress materials such as memory foam are sensitive to temperature. When you lie on a memory foam mattress, you can quickly sink into it as it absorbs heat from your body. Ensure that your room is warm enough so that it can soften the memory foam mattress. You can do this by, for instance, adjusting the thermostat or replacing your conventional blanket with a heated one. It is also advisable to shop for high quality options of thin mattress out there.
• Invest in a mattress topper
If you don’t have enough money to get a new bed, you should consider investing in a mattress topper. The market has various types of mattress toppers that offer additional body contouring or pressure relief to help you sleep more comfortably on the mattress. Consider choosing a wool topper or memory foam topper if you want your bed to feel soft. Sensitive sleepers should avoid buying egg crate toppers since these have a lot of texture that can prevent one from sleeping soundly.
• Go for a new mattress
Have you been using an old mattress that still feels too firm to sleep on? If you have tried some of the techniques and still don’t like the way it feels, you can get a new one. Since the firmness level of your mattress can affect the quality of your sleep, choosing a new mattress may be an ideal option for you. Avoid using a sagging mattress for years since it can make your body stiff or even lead to complicated sleep problems. Work with experts who can help you find a mattress with the right firmness level.
