Did you get enough ZZZZ’s last night?

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Insufficient sleep has been proven to cost people productivity and cause health risks, and researchers say a lack of sleep can cost you financially as well.

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Sleep Position

Identifying your preferred sleep position should be one of the first steps in finding the best mattress. Your go-to sleep position affects the type of support and pressure relief you need to avoid waking up sore.

• Side sleepers: People who sleep on their sides should look for a mattress that allows their pressure points, namely the hips and shoulders, to sink in without leaving their spine sagging.

• Stomach sleepers: People who sleep on their stomachs should generally opt for a firmer mattress to support their spine.

• Back sleepers: Back sleepers may not need quite the same firmness as stomach sleepers, but they should still seek a mattress on the firmer side. Back sleepers should cushion their shoulders and hips, but they don’t want them to sink so low that their spine stretches.

• Combination sleepers: People who have more than one sleep style should look for a bed that best meets the needs of their dominant sleeping position.

Types of Mattresses

Four main mattress types are based on their materials and construction: foam, coil (or innerspring), hybrid, and latex. Choosing one with the proper comfort and support for you will go a long way toward a good night's sleep.

Foam mattresses: Whether made of memory foam or other foam, these mattresses generally excel at even weight distribution. They can be a good choice for side sleepers because they provide sufficient support for the spine. They’re also good at minimizing motion transfer.

However, foam tends to absorb heat rather than dissipate it. Some companies have addressed the issue with special construction or materials like perforated or cooling foam. Foam mattresses also usually need to off-gas after opening. This is a one-time problem for the first few days, but it can be a rough-smelling few days.

Innerspring mattresses: Spring mattresses provide a buoyancy that some may prefer to the sink-in feeling of foam, and their construction optimizes heat dispersion since air circulates more easily through the springs than through foam.

However, innerspring mattresses generally don’t isolate motion well. Some may also find these mattresses feel too firm. A pillow top can add softness to a mattress that otherwise would be overly firm.

Hybrid mattresses: These mattresses are made of foam layers that rest atop a base of metal (often steel) coils. The idea is that the coils provide structure, supportiveness, bounce, and circulation. Meanwhile, the foam top layer offers enough cushion to cradle sleepers without letting them completely sink.

While the foam part of hybrids does involve some off-gassing, the biggest issue with hybrids tends to be the cost.

Latex: Made from natural or synthetic latex, these mattresses tend to sleep cooler than foam, but they’re not as strong at motion isolation. Latex mattresses are generally among the priciest that you’ll find.