Are you in the beginning phases of shopping for a new mattress in hopes of improving how well you sleep? To make it so you can fall asleep without counting sheep, there are a couple of things to remember as you research and browse new mattress technologies. Especially as you age, a comfortable, satisfying, and supportive mattress—like the Purple RejuvenatePremier™— should be a priority. After all, sleep affects our health tremendously as a primary pillar of wellness.

As you browse your potential mattress replacement possibilities, you can assume that many people enjoy a softer mattress to cradle sore spots and problem areas as they grow older. Likewise, you can also assume that supportive, firm mattresses exist, but they may still feel squishy or soft on top! When it comes down to waking up refreshed and getting the deep sleep you deserve, you want your mattress to conform to your shape, not vice versa. If your mattress doesn't fit and isn't naturally comfortable for your body, you're likely on the "sleepless nights" bandwagon full of tossing, turning, and discomfort.

One "mattress reality" is that total body comfort is conducive to deep sleep. You can gain maximum comfort through sufficient support for your body weight and shape, balanced with the right amount of pressure relief from soft, cushioned layers towards the top of the mattress. Adding a luxury mattress topper can also provide cozy comfort and help relieve potential pressure points along the hips and shoulders that you feel on a firm mattress.

According to the American College of Lifestyle Medicine:

"The new mantra we should promote is that sleep isn't something you achieve; it's something that unfolds when the right conditions are in place. Focus on removing barriers, and better sleep will follow.”  

What Mattress Firmness Feels Comfortable Often Changes As You Get Older

Today, many alternative mattress materials exist—for instance— natural latex rubber like you find inside Avocado Luxury Organic and Posh+Lavish mattresses. The GelFlex Grid in each Purple mattress provides a uniquely buoyant sense of supportive relief that many people appreciate. Some people even go as far as to say that they find it difficult to sleep well without the excellent comfort of their Purple Mattress.

Advanced materials like the GelFlex Grid add comfort, sometimes regulate body temperature, and help to relieve pressure points along the curves and slopes of the body. Materials like these are precious for an aging or injured body, providing advanced, targeted relief that is especially promising for side sleepers and those who experience chronic pain.

Still, many shoppers looking to replace their mattress don't often realize that when it comes to your sleeping surface, you might be surprised that your mattress comfort preference— like medium, plush, or plush pillowtop— may change drastically as you get older. Your body may become more susceptible to discomfort from an injury, poor circulation, other conditions, or pressure points along the hips, shoulders, or lower back.

Aches and pains like this are sometimes caused or exacerbated by sleeping on a mattress that is too firm for your body's sensitive areas. Firm mattresses are less forgiving on your body's pronounced curves, like the lower back's inward curve or lumbar vertebrae region. Softer mattresses fill into it— like the Aireloom Luxetop Plush— contouring and adapting more effectively to the lower lumbar spine to relieve back strain.

Specifically, as you get older, if you want to sleep well and "love your mattress," you should strive to remove the barriers that wake you up throughout the night and prohibit deep sleep. Similarly, aim to have a proper balance of support and cushioning provided by a slightly softer mattress— like the Posturepedic Elite Hybrid— than you're used to.

The Body May Become More Susceptible to Muscle Tension and Pressure Points With Age

Each year, as we celebrate another Birthday, we gain more wisdom and life experience. But for most people, the knowledge we acquire isn't necessarily associated with mattress comfort and the best way to get your "beauty sleep." When it comes to picking out a new mattress for a middle-aged or older body, extra cushiony layers allow for better circulation and potentially help lessen pressure points in areas like the hips, shoulders, and lower back.

Many people, like those with arthritis pain, will sleep better on a medium or soft mattress, like the "Reawaken" mattress by Posh+Lavish. A softer style mattress can help you wake up feeling less stiff from muscle tension or soreness. Often, this is because you benefit from good circulation and distribution of beneficial hormones and endorphins to heal the body. A good-fitting mattress for you will help to heal sore and tired joints and muscles. At the same time, rejuvenating deep sleep will potentially help lessen pain in aggravated areas while awake.

Profoundly, soft mattresses have great potential, especially top-tier quality mattresses that champion the right balance of postural support and "soft cozy" comfort. With the right amount of "firm support" to align the lower back and hips with the neck and shoulders, combined with cushion layers for pressure point relief, your mattress will deliver one of the greatest gifts: a good night's sleep!

Along With Your Body, Mattress Support Needs May Change Throughout Life

Unfortunately, time waits for no one. And with each passing day, no one's getting any younger. As we age, for many of us, our mattress needs change along with our bodies. Years ago, most of us were just fine sleeping on the couch as kids, teens, and even as young adults. But that type of sleeping surface these days— a hand-me-down mattress, futon, or recliner chair— for older adults just isn't going to cut it anymore.

Suppose your goal is to improve your sleep or continue getting a good night's sleep throughout adulthood, like middle age and the golden years. Your mattress must offer the correct proportion of firm support for spine alignment and soft cushion for muscle tension release. A good balance of these elements can encourage proper posture to help you sleep well and wake up relaxed and refreshed. Still, the right balance within your mattress is often based on your individual preferences and established by your body type and mobility.

For Mattress Firmness and Support Recommendations, Consider the Sleeper's Body Type and Mobility Level

As you get older, you may have new injuries, sore spots, or changes in your body type. It used to be that firm mattresses— like the Serta Firm iComfort Pro mattress— were considered the best thing for sleep, including your back and body. Today, firm mattresses are often recommended or required only for those with a heavier or muscular body type. Firm mattress styles—like the Aireloom Streamline™ Luxury Firm— can also help those who find it challenging to get in or out of bed on softer mattresses or find it difficult to change positions.

With mattresses and pillows, diverse comfort preferences exist and may change throughout life. Some favor only surfaces that don't "sink in" too much; this is a comfort preference. Still, even some petite people may find firm or luxury firm mattresses comfortable. But, without comparing it to many other mattress styles or comfort levels, most people won't realize that they sleep better on a medium hybrid or medium pillowtop mattress versus a firm one.

As You Age, Your Body Will Appreciate a Supportive Mattress With Enough "Cushion" To Soothe Sore Spots

On your mission to find a new mattress as a middle-aged to older adult, there are key points to engage with. It's important to keep in mind that while some soft mattresses— like the Beautyrest Black Summit Plush Pillowtop— may feel soft or squishy on the surface, they can still provide the necessary support underneath to supply neutral spine alignment and proper sleep posture for your unique body.

Ultimately, your mattress should conform to your body shape rather than requiring you to move around, adjusting to it to find comfort. If you're adapting to find a comfortable position versus the mattress adapting to you, chances are that you're experiencing discomfort in the form of tossing, turning, soreness, and waking up throughout the night.

The "sense of comfort" for many people is often more impressively discovered on medium, plush, or even firm pillowtop mattresses with high-quality support systems underneath. For example, the Beautyrest Black Series Four Firm Pillowtop or Aireloom Luxetop M2 Luxury Firm— each mattress style delivers advanced support and upgraded mattress technology to perform exceptionally well in the support and tension relief category, even for softer mattresses.

Mattress Recommendation: Cater to Pressure Relief as Your Body Grows Older

Do you want to sleep better without interruptions like tossing and turning or your arm falling asleep? Pressure relief is what you're after! And often, it's only achieved through a medium or soft mattress— like the Avocado Medium Luxury Organic Mattress. So, you'll want to look for mattresses with an adequate amount or more cushioning layers than you're used to. Still, you'll want to figure out your preferred balance of cushioning comfort and support for good sleep posture, achieved through independent coils or high-density foam for the base of the mattress.

Top-quality mattresses— like the King Koil Natural mattress— generally use natural latex rubber or other materials, like TempurAdapt or memory foam, for the cushion layers. These materials are proven beneficial in a mattress, having great potential to soothe sore spots and cushion the hips and shoulders. For back sleeping, these materials fill into the lumbar curve of the lower back for extra support and relief from back strain.

Surprise Yourself With Newfound Comfort: Choose a Supportive Mattress with a Soft Cushion Top From Mattress World Northwest!

If you feel stuck in a rut due to a lack of sleep, accumulating 'sleep debt,' consider improving the comfort and support of your mattress. While you might think that a firmer mattress is always better, sleep experts suggest that a softer mattress— like the Beautyrest Black Plush Hybrid— can be much more beneficial and comfortable to sleep on, especially as you grow older.

Regardless of your body type or personal mattress preferences, investing in a comfortable and supportive mattress is a great way to care for yourself. Try one of the best handmade mattresses in the USA — the Aireloom M2+ Plush mattress. Getting consistent sleep is one of the best ways to lessen pain and promote well-being, while the power of good sleep can also potentially extend and improve quality of life.

Mattress World Northwest simplifies the mattress selection process and buying experience by offering an impressive selection of mattresses designed to help balance comfort and support for each unique body type and sleep preferences.

The sleep specialists at Mattress World Northwest recommend starting by focusing on the quality and performance ability of your mattress and pillow to decrease sleep disruptions and discomfort from sleeping on something too firm or uncomfortable. Browse the online mattress shop, or visit one of the many family-owned and operated Mattress World Northwest locations to get a head start on preserving your sleep health with a savvy mattress upgrade.

As we go about life's experiences in hopes of aging gracefully, let’s not forget the role a good quality mattress plays in our overall health and well-being!

Imagine being supported in a bed that cradles you just right. Not only can it give a boost of comfort to help you stay asleep longer, but it can also help restore balance to your sleep cycles. Picture waking up each morning free from those unfortunately familiar aches and pains, feeling refreshed and ready to conquer your day. 

At Mattress World Northwest, we emphasize that investing in the perfect mattress for your body isn’t just about comfort; it’s a pivotal step towards a healthier, happier you! So be sure to check out the best selection of comfort levels, like medium and soft, by many well-recognized brands at Mattress World Northwest today!