1. CONSIDER YOUR SLEEPING POSITION
When choosing the right mattress, your first thought might be the type, but your sleeping position (and other sleeping habits) should really inform all other decisions. 'People have different requirements based on size, shape, weight, sleeping positions and so on - it’s impossible to approach mattress buying with a one-size-fits-all mindset,' explains Adam Black, co-founder and mattress expert at Button & Sprung. The bottom line is, your mattress should comfortably support your weight so that all your bones are properly aligned. In turn, this will help you to sleep better. As Adam notes: 'A good, comfortable mattress will gently support the whole body and provide postural alignment by keeping the spine in a neutral position.' For example, if you sleep on your back your weight is more evenly distributed, so a medium to firm mattress will be best. If you're a side sleeper, your hips and shoulders bear a lot of pressure, so you might prefer a mattress on the softer side to suit the contours of your body.
2. CHOOSE A FIRMNESS THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU
We've already touched on firmness ratings, but they really deserve their own mention. Once you've considered all your personal sleeping habits, you can start thinking about how firm your mattress is. While this will in part come down to personal preference, health should be the priority. 'To find the right mattress for you it’s worth testing a range of options with varying firmness and noticing if it supports your body, meaning that your spine’s natural curve is supported and your head, shoulders, lower back and feet are aligned,' says Jonathan Warren, director and mattress specialist at Time4Sleep. 'As mentioned, this will differ depending on your weight and body shape.'
3. WEIGH UP THE DIFFERENT MATTRESS TYPES
It doesn't end there, either. The firmness of your mattress will inevitably be influenced by the type you go for. Memory foam, pocket sprung, latex, hybrid, you've probably heard them all - but which should you choose? 'At Button & Sprung we believe that a naturally filled, pocket sprung mattress is the best option on the market for offering comfort and support, plus they can be broken down and recycled accordingly at the end of their lives,' says Adam. Jonathan is in agreement. 'Pocket sprung mattresses tend to be the highest quality, containing individual springs in small pockets that will move independently to provide you with optimum support based on your sleeping position,' he says.