Your sleep quality plays a vital role in your mental well-being. The right choice of mattress varies depending on the user. This article will go over the best mattress designs to improve your sleep and mental health.
How sleep benefits your mental health
A good night’s rest regulates your emotional response.
A lack of comfort exaggerates all central nervous system issues. Chronic aches, pains, and stiffness can all correlate with an uncomfortable night’s sleep. You can subdue the symptoms by maximizing your comfort. Whether you choose a plush or firm mattress, you need the right level of support to keep your body in good shape.
Look at how an uncomfortable bed can trigger sleep disruption.
Unnatural breaks in your sleep cycles prevent you from getting enough rest. Mental health disorder symptoms are more severe when your sleep regulation suffers. Other issues that come with poor rest include anxiety, stress, and work performance struggles.
You might get a full eight hours of sleep every night.
Yet, your body wakes up sore and your mind feels off. The design of your bed might not accommodate your body type or sleep position. Take your weight into consideration when figuring out the best bed for your body. This factor plays the biggest role in whether you experience mental or physical complications.
Understanding body weight to sinkage ratio
Your body weight to sinkage ratio is a good indicator of the ideal thickness for your bed. This relative figure looks at the pressure your body weight puts on the mattress.
Someone under 130 pounds is light enough to make a negligible impact. Meanwhile, a person above 230 pounds will cause significant pressure. The body enters unfavourable positions to compensate.
This discomfort eventually turns into pain.
After constant body deformity, the bones and muscles start to change. For instance, scoliosis of the spine can worsen fast after repetitively laying on a bed with horrible support.
Likewise, too much support can cause the same damage.
Treat your mattress like a suit and tailor yourself for the perfect fit.
Plush or firm – what is best for you?
Plush or firm mattress, which is better?
Let’s look at the best thickness by weight range:
Sleeper’s body weight | Ideal mattress thickness |
| Below 100 lbs | 6 to 8 inches |
| 100 to 150 lbs | 8 to 10 inches |
| 151 to 200 lbs | 10 to 12 inches |
| 201 to 250 lbs | 12 to 14 inches |
| Above 250 lbs | 15 inches or more |
Mattress thickness by body weight
Whether you choose a plush or firm mattress, the thickness that works best will vary depending on your preferred sleep position. For any body weight, the ideal position is on your back. Your sides and front need more support and are less even. As a result, back sleeping is the key to maintaining optimal musculoskeletal integrity.
You want a mattress that is firm, yet not too hard. The goal is to support your bones and muscles without applying pressure when your body resets itself. A smaller person will sink less, which means a softer mattress is OK but a less plush or more firm mattress is ideal if you are an average-weight person. Meanwhile, a larger person should opt for a firmer mattress with significant support depth.
- Best bed for small or petite (under 130 pounds). If you have low body weight, it distributes well throughout the entire sleeping surface. The amount of downward force is minimal. Your comfort becomes the first priority, as most beds will not damage your muscles or bones. Lower thickness is OK, as long as it’s a plush design. The only suggestion for a petite sleeper is to stick with a mattress that is on the softer side. A firm mattress will put extra pressure on trigger points, which is uncomfortable. Continuing to sleep on the wrong sleeping surface can cause nerve damage and hinder your flexibility.
- Best bed for average body type (130 to 225 pounds). If your body weight is in this normal range, is a plush or firm mattress better? The decision comes down to your typical sleep position. Side sleepers need a slightly softer thickness than back sleepers. The average back sleeper needs a mattress with 10 to 12-inch thickness. Meanwhile, an average-weight side sleeper will get the best results from 12 to 14 inches.
- Best bed for larger body types (over 225 Pounds). If you are on the bigger side, your body will put significant strain on the support of your bed. A thick, firmer mattress is ideal for larger people. The extra support depth will prevent your mattress from sagging under heavy loads. Heavier sleepers should stick with a sturdy plush or firm mattress that is a minimum of 12 inches thick.
Mattress dimensions vs user height
You should not ignore the mattress dimensions either. A double-size bed with strong support might not handle a heavier tall person well. Meanwhile, a king-size bed with strong support could do a great job.
Approach this subject by comparing your height versus the mattress. You want a bed that is roughly six inches longer than you. Take your height and add six inches to it to get an idea of your ideal bed length.
Bed size | Mattress dimensions | Maximum sleeper height |
| Twin | 38 by 75 inches | 69 inches (5.75 feet) |
| Twin XL | 38 by 80 inches | 74 inches (6.2 feet) |
| Full | 54 by 75 inches | 69 inches (5.75 feet) |
| Full XL | 54 by 80 inches | 74 inches (6.2 feet) |
| Queen | 60 by 80 inches | 74 inches (6.2 feet) |
| King | 76 by 80 inches | 74 inches (6.2 feet) |
| California King | 72 by 84 inches | 78 inches (6.6 feet) |
If you are taller, you have less space to distribute your weight. The height difference in a California King makes it a viable option. Users that are taller than seven feet can also consider combining mattresses to increase dimensions.
Recycle your mattress and start over
You might be wondering where to take the old mattress, but most beds consist of more than 75% recyclable materials. Look for mattress disposal services in your area. Mattress Recycling Council is a company that aims to revolutionize this industry. As of December 2021, MRC-supported mattress recycling programs are available in three states: California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Get out with the old and bring in something new. Select a mattress that is the right size and thickness for your needs. A good night’s sleep will give you youthful energy. With the worst behind you, every restful night will tremendously boost your mental health.
Not sure if it’s time to upgrade?
Read more: Sleep and wellness: how to tell your mattress needs replacing
Robert Haynes did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health and well-being.
