If you’ve been considering an adjustable bed, you’re probably looking for one of two things: better sleep or added convenience (or both!). And for many people, the right positioning and features can make a world of difference.

What are the benefits of an adjustable bed?

In a nutshell, an adjustable bed base can help you achieve positioning that a standard, flat frame can’t. When you elevate your head, feet, or both, it results in many benefits, including:

• Reduced joint and back pain
• Improved digestion
• Reduced snoring and improved breathing
• Reduced swelling
• Ease of getting in and out of bed
• Easy positioning for watching TV, reading, using the computer, or enjoying a bedtime snack

And you can position your adjustable bed according to your specific needs.

Positions to try with an adjustable bed

1. Zero gravity

This neutral position puts your entire body in the “no stress zone” by lifting the head and legs to create a 120 degree angle bend at the hips. It evenly distributes your weight, meaning that pressure is taken off of areas (often the hips, shoulders, and spine) that are normally put under strain on a flat surface. For this reason, zero gravity position is especially good for joint or back pain sufferers. And some adjustable beds even have a preset zero gravity button that takes all the guesswork out of getting it right.

2. Legs elevated

It’s a common practice to sleep or rest with elevated legs to help reduce leg swelling. But also, elevating the legs can create the best sleeping position for lower back pain and sciatica, a condition that can cause back pain and leg pain or numbness. Additionally, when your legs are raised, it encourages blood to flow toward your heart, improving overall circulation.

3. Contour

A contoured position, where both the head and legs are slightly elevated, supports the natural curvature of your spine. It’s especially fitting for both back and side sleepers, since the curve created in the middle can support the hips and bottom. If you have back pain caused by poor posture or overuse, this sleeping position should provide some much needed relief.

4. Head elevated

Sleeping or relaxing with your head elevated improves both breathing and digestion. It opens airways and nasal passages to reduce the symptoms of conditions like snoring, congestion, COPD, and sleep apnea. The incline also helps alleviate heartburn and acid reflux by keeping stomach acids from travelling up the esophagus.

And then there’s the much more obvious benefit of being able to lounge comfortably in bed without stuffing a bunch of pillows underneath you. If you find yourself reading, online shopping, or eating the occasional breakfast in bed, many adjustable beds make it easy to get comfortable with the press of a button.

What kind of mattress is right for my adjustable bed?

Of course, your comfort on an adjustable base won’t be quite right without the right mattress. A good adjustable bed mattress should be flexible and not too thick. A 25cm memory foam mattress, for example, checks both of these boxes. Memory foam is more soft and bendable than a spring or hybrid mattress, and a lower profile (generally 30 cms or less for a foam mattress) is also better suited to bend without bulging. And if you prefer the firmer feel of a spring mattress, opt for one that’s no more than 20cm thick, like our Green Chiro 5 Zone Pocket Spring Mattress.