Are you also struggling to sleep with a body larger than usual? Bodyweight is just one of the considerations when purchasing a new mattress. But for larger sleepers like us, it’s more than a minor factor. Our larger build makes it hard to be comfortable during sleep. If ever we can have a restful slumber, we’ll wake up to a sore neck, back, or hip. Not to mention a bed that sinks fast after a few months, the best mattress for overweight is imperative to have.
Obesity and being overweight have already been affecting the lives of those suffering from it. And in periods like bedtime, we only want to have a comfortable experience.
But how is one considered to be obese or overweight? If a person has 20% more weight than the recommended value for his or her build, it would be safe to say that an individual is overweight. It also means that he or she has different sleeping needs than other sleepers.
How weight affects sleep
Do you know that a higher Body Mass Index is linked to shorter sleep? A high BMI is also associated with late sleep where we doze off late and get up late. Not only it disrupts the circadian rhythm but it also affects our daily activities.
And you know what’s worse? Poor sleeping patterns due to being overweight is worsened by external factors like a bad mattress. And since lack of sleep is directly associated with weight gain, this spells trouble for those who are already carrying excess pounds.
One thing that I personally experience is the increase in appetite due to lack of enough shuteye. And if you’re someone who, like me, has to churn ideas daily, this stressor is a major productivity buster. So what I do is eat to appease the urge only to gain more pounds. It’s not just a matter of being compulsive. Our body processes play its tricks on us. Sometimes, it’s not just about the best type mattress for heavy person.
In the scientific perspective, our body produces leptin, a hormone that acts as a signal that the body as enough stored fats. When leptin is in the works, we won’t have the large appetite to eat. So what’s the problem here? When we don’t sleep enough, leptin decreases, thus the uncontrollable appetite.
And from that explained cycle, it seems that being overweight and lacking sleep is a stalemate case.
What causes the extra weight?
It may seem unimportant to discuss this part. But in the grand scheme of things, this isn’t much a deviation. A lot of sleeping habits and issues cause weight gain. And what does it have something to do with this? Well, the sleep quality and comfort of larger sleepers are at stake here.
Take note that we don’t get fat simply because we eat too much. Although this is true in its plain sense, a lot of us may have special conditions that make it hard – or impossible – to be slim. For women, polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS is a hormonal disorder that results in weight gain among other symptoms.
Scientists have found out another reason why some of us are overweight and seem to be a difficult sleeper. We have genes that our circadian rhythm regulates. They also concluded that lack of sleep makes us crave for high-fat food to satisfy the discomfort. And we’re not talking about small servings here. When leptin drops extremely, there’s no limit to what we can possibly consume.
Chronic stress is another culprit to the problem. It pushes us to crave for the same fatty food. And during bedtime, it keeps our brains up like a lawn mower raging in the middle of the night. When that happens, other problems associated with weight gain discussed here would come next.
Sleep problems associated with obesity
Our bodies are unique so are our reactions and tolerance to things. Some of us can sleep with the light on while others won’t. Others need to us the best mattress for overweight to doze off. But setting all these external forces aside, it would be easy to know that an unhealthy weight can lead to a host of sleeping problems. Here are the potential sleeping problems that overweight people may encounter.
Snoring and sleep apnea
The most common case that happens to us when we become overweight is the blockage of the airway. This part of our body becomes more crowded, thus it’s more difficult to breathe when lying down. What will happen is that there would be more ripples and vibrations that will result in snoring. Problems like an enlarged tonsil, small lower jaw, and a problematic septum of the nose can cause this.
Sleep apnea
As the snoring becomes prominent and lingering, sleep apnea will take place. What happens is that the airflow completely shuts off. The obstruction of breathing goes unnoticed by those who are experiencing it during sleep. But some of the possible symptoms are daytime fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty focusing. Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension. Worse, it can lead to stroke and even sudden death. No best type mattress for heavy person can cure this condition.
Restless leg syndrome
The actual cause of RLS is yet to be established but experts suggest that obesity has a high potential of being a culprit. This uncontrollable urge to move the legs is somewhat associated with dopamine. Still, the relationship between this begs for more studies and proof.
Hypoventilation
When we breathe, we release carbon dioxide and inhale oxygen. But for those experiencing hypoventilation, the carbon dioxide is retained. Obese individuals usually experience this which can lead to heart problems and worse, death.
Mattress thickness
One thing that we should look for a mattress if we’re a bit on the bigger side is the thickness of the bed. It’s obvious that those who are overweight should get a thicker mattress. If you weight more than 230 pounds, the rule of thumb is to get a mattress not thinner than 12 inches. The higher your BMI gets, the thicker the mattress should be.
A very thin mattress will cause you to sink too much. It will be uncomfortable and there would be little body support, especially for those who have back issues.
Firmness
Mattress firmness is very crucial for heavier individuals. Since they will sink more than the usual sleepers, a very soft bed won’t be an excellent choice. The best type mattress for heavy person is a firmer one since it will balance the extra force that the body exerts. When the mattress is firmer as the body is heavier, it would be more comfortable to sleep at.
Take note that a firmer mattress is needed for overweight side and stomach sleepers. There are more pressure points on these sleeping positions which a soft bed can’t release.
A medium firm or firm mattress would be excellent for heavier sleepers. In a scale of 1-10, that would be around 6-8 for the best mattress for overweight.
Why edge support matters
We always want to get the most out of our purchases. So when we get a new mattress, every inch of the plush surface should provide support. This leads us to the concern about edge support.
All of us will sit on the edge of the bed as we get out of the mattress. For heavier individuals, it’s best to find a mattress with reinforced edges so it won’t sag or sink over time. It would also be more comfortable and secure especially for those who share the bed with someone else.
Are you a hot sleeper?
One of the common complaints we receive is the hotness of the mattress. Well, this becomes more serious for overweight sleepers. It’s a major issue among overweight sleepers. Since they will be sinking more to the mattress, there would be less breathability between the material and the skin. Pure foam models typically trap the heat beneath which can cause heat rash and discomfort.
For overweight sleepers, an innerspring or hybrid mattress would be great.
Warranty and lifespan of the mattress
If you’re looking for a mattress, always get one with the longest warranty coverage. The biggest worry we have for being overweight sleepers is that the mattress will sag and we won’t have the chance to send it back. Although mattress will normally lead to this stage after a few years, premature sinking isn’t a good thing. The mattress will lose its ability to support the weight and it will cause body pain.
Always ask about how the manufacturers will deal with the sagging and side indentations during the limited warranty coverage. Inquire how deep the sagging should be to qualify as a defect. Take note that some manufacturers won’t even mention anything about this.
Best mattress types for larger sleepers
Memory foam
If we’re going to talk about body support, nothing beats memory foam. It conforms to the body in line with the exerted force. Memory foam is a champ when it comes to releasing pressure points. But one thing you should be aware of is the breathability. Some memory foam beds are hot to sleep at, it’s something that’s innate on this highly conforming material. Still, this issue will be fixed by looking for one with a cool gel layer.
Innerspring mattress
This type of mattress can both be heavenly and evil for overweight sleepers. A poor innerspring construction will cause inconsistent support and more pressure points. What you have to look for if you prefer this type is a coil-on-coil construction. It provides better compression and support. And if you tend to sleep on the edge of the bed, an innerspring mattress would be excellent in support.
Hybrid
If you’re just looking for the right blend of conformity and hug on your mattress, a hybrid might be the best mattress for overweight. It contains a foam layer (memory foam, latex, adaptive foam etc.) and a coil construction beneath. With that, you’ll get better support, excellent firmness, more bounce, and deep compression. The coil addition defeats the ugly sides of foam material.
Best type mattress for heavy person
Comparison Chart
Nectar King Mattress + 2 Pillows Included – Gel Memory Foam Mattress – CertiPUR-US Certified Foams – 180 Night Home Trial – Forever Warranty
Linenspa 12 Inch Memory Hybrid Plush-Individually Encased Coils-Edge Support-Quilted Foam Cover Mattress
Nectar Mattress Gel Memory Foam
Specs
- Cooling technology
- Four layers of foam
- 180-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
- CertiPUR-US certification
- Comes with two pillows
If you’re looking for a mattress with optimal support and cooling technology, the Nectar Mattress Gel Foam would be great. It’s made from four layers of foam and a Tencel layer for a cooler sleep. This allows the material to conform to your body but without being uncomfortable to sleep at.
Nectar offers a 180-night trial and if you’re not happy with the mattress, you can send it back for a full refund. They will also back you up with a “forever warranty”. As long as you have the mattress, you are qualified for their limited warranty terms.
You’ll have peaceful sleep knowing that this is CertiPUR-US certified and will be delivered in a box right at your doorstep. And to ensure that you’ll have a full experience with the best type mattress for heavy person, the Nectar bed comes with two of their premium pillows.
What could be done better:
This mattress has five layers of foam and does not use innerspring coils. For this reason, you might find it hot on some nights. There’s just not enough room for air to move around in. Also, it’s a bed-in-a-box, so you might have to wait for a few days before you can use it.
Purple Hyper-Elastic Polymer Bed
Specs
- Elastic polymer
- Aligns the spine
- Relieves pressure
- 30-night trial
- Anti-microbial properties
- Equipped with airflow channels
For a one-of-a-kind mattress, the Purple mattress will surely revolutionize your sleep. Instead of the usual foam layer, it comes with its exclusive Smart Grid. It’s made from a highly elastic polymer that compresses to support the weight and then go back to its original form. Such a thing helps in aligning the spine and releasing pressure points.
Purple mattresses are made with heavy sleepers in mind. In fact, light sleepers won’t enjoy this bed as the polymer grid needs to be pressed with a heavier force to yield its supporting effect. With this level of firmness, the 30-night trial would be a fair bargain.
Aside from the excellent feel, the Purple mattress also has anti-microbial characteristics. It will keep you away from germicides, dust mites, and other possible allergens. The free flow air channels on the grid will also ensure that it won’t be hot to sleep on.
What do you think of the best mattress for overweight? We hope that the points we discussed and the commercial options we reviewed help you out. Being on the larger side doesn’t mean we no longer can achieve better nights. Start with the right mattress and go from there.
What could be done better:
Since you’re going to need a considerable amount of force for the support of the mattress to take effect, this may not be a suitable option if you share your bed with a light sleeper. It only benefits heavier individuals, which is not a problem if you’re the only one who uses your bed.
Torn between the Nectar and Purple mattresses? Here’s a video from The Slumber Yard where they discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly for each bed.
NOTE: The night trial will differ if you purchase it from Amazon (just like we do but not bad for the convenience, though).