Ever wondered how much of your life you spend asleep? According to the Sleep Matters Club , the average person spends 26 years sleeping and approximately 7 years trying to get to sleep--that's a whopping 33 years in bed! With so much of our lives dedicated to getting some good ole shut-eye, it only makes sense to invest in a mattress that provides you with a good night's sleep, right? But with various types of mattresses to choose from, how can you know which is the best for you? Many factors contribute to the comfort levels of different mattresses, but a key factor among them is the level of firmness.

Should you go with a soft mattress or a firm mattress? Does it matter if you're a stomach sleeper or back sleeper? Which sleeping position is best for people with lower back pain? These are the kinds of questions we'll be answering in this article so that, by the time you reach the end, you'll have a good idea which level of firmness will best fit your personal preferences.

A good mattress encourages proper spinal alignment.

What does that mean? Well, consider this: your spine consists of 33 individual vertebrae which stack up together to form your vertebral column. Your spine isn't straight, the column instead forming an S shape which helps to support your head, neck, and body. The vertebral column also protects the all-important spinal cord. To ensure that these intricate structures continue to work smoothly, your spine needs to receive proper support as often as possible, even while horizontal.

A good mattress will cradle your body in what's called a "neutral position" where your head, shoulders, butt, and heels are all aligned together in proper order. With a mattress of true quality, you should be able to notice the immediate pressure relief and cushioning in all the right places--not too firm and not too soft, just the perfect balance of dreamlike comfort that makes it the best mattress for you. Over time, if you get the right bed for your particular body type that also supports your pressure points, you should experience improved posture and muscle relaxation that endures.

Even just from reading the name, you can easily distinguish the key difference between soft and firm mattresses. Softer mattresses compress more easily under pressure while firm mattresses don't give as much and tend to be more rigid.
For those of you who struggle with back pain, a firmer mattress will provide the proper support you need to help alleviate pressure in places of discomfort--however, you have to be careful about choosing the right amount of firmness. A mattress that's too firm may exacerbate joint discomfort, shoulder pain, and back pain.

If, however, you have pre-existing back problems, a softer mattress may be the best option for you. They are also best for providing proper cushioning on your shoulders and hips, which makes them ideal for those who prefer to sleep on their sides.

So how do you decide which is best for you? Much of it comes down to personal preference. With all the different options out there, it can be hard to narrow down which bed will work for your particular body type and sleeping habits. Luckily, Marpac's Yogabed is a medium-firm mattress that comes with the best of both worlds; it's firm enough to support your pressure points while maintaining a softness that alleviates joint discomfort.

It uses advanced memory foam that reacts quickly to pressure from your particular body type, making it a great option regardless of whether or not you're a lightweight or a heavyweight. Because of its Dynamic-Support Memory Foam, you'll enjoy your Yogabed if you're a back sleeper, stomach sleeper, or side-sleeper. Not sure if you should give Yogabed a try? Sleep on it with our 101-Night Comfort Trial. If it turns out that this new mattress isn't for you, send it back for free.

You spend approximately 33 years of your life in bed, so why spend them in discomfort? Treat yourself to an all-natural slumber with a mattress from our Yogabed Cool Collection.