We all have differing criteria when it comes to choosing a mattress. It could be you seek indulgence and luxuriousness and so a plush mattress might be your pick. Or it could be for the best of both worlds – overall comfort, with support built-in – and so a medium mattress would be your go-to. And then of course, the criteria could be entirely for health and physiological reasons like preventing back pain – and for that, the ideal choice is a firm mattress.

Let’s talk here about the benefits of firmness, and which firm mattress would be best suited for you.

When we sleep, our bodies undergo a form of all-round maintenance and healing. It’s part of what optimal rest does for both the body and the mind. But that rejuvenation can’t come unless total relaxation is achieved. The firm mattress does much to get the body to a state of relaxation more efficiently – on a firm mattress, bodyweight is evenly distributed, giving the spine neutral alignment, and so muscles and ligaments have more chance to relax.

A firm mattress will ensure that weight is evenly distributed throughout the body when sleeping. This means that, for the back sleeper, there’s no particular area that will need to bear any specific pressure at night, like the hips and shoulders do in a side-sleeper, for example. Even distribution of weight also means that the sleepers' hip won’t sink lower than their head – a position that’s often a large contributor to back pain.

When stomach-sleeping, the curve of the spine naturally increases, putting pressure on the back and neck. A firm mattress lifts the hips into alignment with the rest of the body, neutralising that curve and helping to prevent pain.

In both cases, when the spine is aligned, better sleep is usually inevitable.

The softer the mattress, the more it will contour to the body, and ‘give’ to body weight. This means that the sleeper effectively sinks into the mattress, cutting off any breathability and ventilation between the body and the bed, and causing overheating and sweating during the night. A firm mattress means less give and contouring, and with more airflow because of less ‘sinking’, the body can regulate.

Additionally, because of how soft mattresses cradle and contours to the body, this can hinder the sleeper’s natural movement at night. With less movement, circulation slows in the muscles and joints, and this can cause aches and pains. A firm mattress, because of its even distribution of support, frees up movement, and so allows for good circulation at all times, and so better temperature regulation.

At Dial-a-Bed, of course. We have a comprehensive range of firm mattresses to choose from, to suit your particular sleeping style, and your budget, like:

The Forty Winks Sleepfit has a unique pocket spring system for movement isolation, and so undisturbed rest for you and your partner. And with its superior core support and comfort, the Sleepfit will have you drifting off to dreamland as soon as you stretch out on its luxurious surface. Find out more about Forty Winks Sleepfit here.

The Sealy Skyline Extra Firm is the latest in sleep tech. It boasts a pocket coil system for uninterrupted sleep, and an extra firm, luxurious surface for sleep that’s comfortable, cool and restful.

For more information about the Sealy Skyline Extra Firm, here.

For a range of the most comfortable mattresses, with each design with the latest in sleep technology, and engineered to suit your unique sleep-style. Visit us at any of our 76 stores nationwide or online 24/7 at www.dialabed.co.za