A new study by sleep experts at SFGATE has revealed the Helix Dawn Luxe to be the best mattress for stomach sleepers.
The researchers analysed a range of mattresses in terms of their price, type, height, firmness, and size variation to find the best overall model for different sleeping positions.
The Helix Dawn Luxe came out on top as the mattress best suited for people who sleep on their stomachs. It is also recommended more generally for hot sleepers, couples, and for those who also sleep on their backs.
The Dawn Luxe is a particularly firm mattress and has a rating of 8/9 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale. The firmness ensures that when a sleeper lies on their stomach their spine is supported and maintains a neutral position.
The Dawn Luxe is an updated version of a previous Helix mattress that was just called the Dawn. The new zoned body support makes it a more supportive mattress than its predecessor and the new pillow top offers irresistible comfort on even one of the firmest mattresses available to buy.
The Dawn Luxe is a hybrid mattress. Hybrid mattresses are made from a combination of different materials to provide the necessary support and avoid the overheating that many people associate with memory foam mattresses. The cover features Tencel fibers, an eco-friendly material that helps the bed stay cool. The fibers increase the bed’s breathability and ensure moisture is wicked away from the body, providing cool, dry sleep.
The coil support within the mattress is specifically designed to feel soft beneath shoulders and firm beneath the hips. This setup cradles the body and promotes a neutral spine alignment. And, to top it all off, is the pillow top which, according to Helix, is like sleeping on your own personal cloud.
The Dawn Luxe is the premier choice for stomach sleepers and anyone looking for a mattress on the firmer side.
It is available in twin, twin XL, full (double), queen, king, and California king, and ranges from $999 to $2149, depending on the size. It has a sleep trial period of 120 nights and a 15-year warranty.
Is it okay to sleep on your stomach?
The short answer to this question is both yes and no. Stomach sleeping is great for people who snore or who suffer from sleep apnea, but it can also put a strain on your neck. That is why it is important, if you are a regular stomach sleeper, to have a good firm or medium firm mattress to support you and encourage healthy spinal alignment.
Stomach sleeping is one of the less popular positions. Side sleeping is the most popular, with around 74% of people opting to sleep on their side. Stomach sleeping is in a distant second place with only around 16% sleeping on their stomachs and 10% of people sleeping on their backs.
What are the benefits of stomach sleeping?
Despite its relative unpopularity when compared to side sleeping and the issues are related to it, there are still many benefits to stomach sleeping.
We mentioned before that stomach sleeping inhibits snoring so it can be a godsend for anyone who shares a bed with a snorer. When we lie on our backs and fall asleep, all of the muscles in our throats relax and collapse, which subsequently narrows the airways in our throats. Then, when we breathe in and out the airways vibrate which creates that loud rumbling sound we call snoring.
Sleeping on your stomach (or on your side) ensures that the muscles in your throat don’t collapse and narrow your airways, which therefore prevents snoring.
Stomach sleeping also reduces the symptoms of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder whereby the sleeper continually stops and starts breathing while they sleep due to collapsed airways, which subsequently causes their heart to work harder to pump oxygen into the blood. If left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart issues, and even strokes. It can be hard for people to get diagnosed with sleep apnea as many sufferers are unaware that they have it.
Again, stomach sleeping is a good remedy for sleep apnea as it stops the airways from collapsing. Many people with sleep apnea prefer stomach sleeping over side sleeping as you are less likely to shift positions in the night if you fall asleep on your stomach. Less movement in the night also leads to a far more restful and sound sleep.
Stomach sleeping also reduces acid reflux and heartburn. When you sleep flat on your back, your stomach and throat are basically on the same level. This means there is an easy channel for acid to rise and leave you with heartburn the next morning or throughout the next day. Sleeping on your stomach is a great way of preventing this.
What are the cons of stomach sleeping?
Unfortunately, there are also some downsides to stomach sleeping and many sleep specialists recommend side sleeping positions over stomach sleeping ones. But if you do find yourself stomach sleeping regularly, be sure to get the right mattress that supports you to do so.
Stomach sleeping can put a strain on your spine if the mattress is too soft. This is because the mattress will sink beneath your midriff, causing your spine to unnaturally curve inwards for the duration of the night. This is why a firmer mattress is ideal for stomach sleepers.
Stomach sleepers also often find that they wake up with a stiff or numb neck. If you are lying on your front with your head to one side, this can put a lot of your body weight onto your neck, which causes it to stiffen up overnight. The best way to combat this as a stomach sleeper is to make sure you have the right pillow, which we will look at shortly.
If you sleep on your stomach you also increase your risk of getting facial wrinkles and spots. When you sleep on your side, you keep your face pressed to the pillow which collects all of the oil and sweat from your skin. This is bad for the overall health of your skin and can lead to spots and wrinkles over time. Try and change your pillowcases at least once a week to ensure you prevent this as much as you can.
What type of pillow is best for stomach sleepers?
The best type of pillow for stomach sleepers is slim and light. You want one that will only just prop your head up to ensure optimum spinal alignment.
Many stomach sleepers prefer sleeping without any pillow at all. Sleeping with a pillow that is too plumpy can be the main cause of neck pain for stomach sleepers, so some prefer to do without any. And this may actually be the best option as it keeps the spine and neck straight while you sleep.
Stomach sleeping and pregnancy
During the first three months of pregnancy, you should find that you can sleep comfortably in most positions.
As your pregnancy progresses, however, stomach sleeping may become increasingly uncomfortable and interfere with your sleep quality. Low sleep quality can lead to sleep deprivation, which can then lead to a number of pregnancy issues.
It is recommended that pregnant women sleep on their side and use a pregnancy pillow beneath their bump. Placing a pillow beneath your body should also stop you from rolling onto your stomach in the night. If that fails, you can also strap a tennis ball to your stomach which should definitely wake you up if you were to roll on to it.
What type of mattress should stomach sleepers avoid?
Generally speaking, people who sleep on their stomachs should avoid sleeping on soft or medium soft mattresses. A memory foam mattress may also not be a good idea as it can encourage poor spinal alignment.
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Summary
Stomach sleeping will generally lead to less snoring, reduced symptoms of sleep apnea, and less chance of acid reflux or heartburn. However, there are alignment and neck issues to be aware of if you do sleep on your stomach, so it is important you get the right mattress.
Different mattresses offer varying levels of support and pressure relief for different parts of the body and some are more suited to certain sleeping positions than others. It is crucial that back and stomach sleepers have a mattress that suits their preferred sleep position, as side sleepers often take precedence due to the position’s popularity.
In their recent analysis, SFGATE revealed the Helix Dawn Luxe to be the best mattress for stomach sleepers. So, if you prefer to sleep on your stomach, try sleeping on the Helix Dawn Luxe to ensure that you get the best support while you rest.
