After a long day of work, your body deserves a comfortable resting place that will reinvigorate it for the day to come. From a biological standpoint, a good night's sleep can relieve a lot of the pressure on your body. Support is great, but it's important to note that support is not the same as firmness or pressure. Pressure is bad for your circulation because it can block blood from flowing freely throughout your body.
Sleeping on the right mattress can go a long way toward reducing the pressure on your body at night. This allows for more uniform blood flow to your torso and extremities, which in turn ensures that issues with poor circulation don't lead to a restless night's sleep of tossing and turning, numbness and tingling, or even pain. Let's go into more detail regarding the connection between sleeping on the right mattress and improved circulation.
Related Blog: Improve your Circulation with an Adjustable Bed
Circulation is your body’s ability to move blood efficiently, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. During sleep, your body should be able to relax fully, but too much pressure in certain areas can interfere with comfort and contribute to frequent repositioning.
You might notice:
Waking up with numb hands, arms, feet, or legs
Pins-and-needles sensations while sleeping
Feeling like you need to constantly shift positions
Pressure or soreness in the shoulders, hips, or lower back
Sleep that feels “light” or interrupted
This is one of the most important things to clarify when choosing a mattress.
Support refers to how well a mattress keeps your spine in a healthy, neutral position. A supportive mattress:
Helps maintain natural spinal alignment
Reduces strain on muscles and joints
Helps you avoid sinking unevenly (especially at the hips)
Firmness is the “feel” of the mattress surface. It’s subjective, and depends on:
How much you sink in
How the comfort layers respond to your curves
Your body type and sleep position
Many people assume “firmer = better,” but a mattress that’s too firm can create pressure points, especially at the shoulders, hips, and knees.
When your body can’t sink in just enough, your weight rests on fewer contact points. Those pressure points may:
Feel uncomfortable
Trigger constant movement
Contribute to tingling or numbness (especially in side sleepers)
Land of Sleep also notes that mattresses that are too firm can contribute to circulation issues, especially for side sleepers who need the right balance.
Look for these circulation-friendly features:
Memory foam or pressure-relieving foams
Pillow-top or plush comfort layers (when properly supported)
Land of Sleep also has a helpful guide on who benefits from plush mattresses, especially side sleepers.
A good mattress should still keep your body aligned, especially at the hips.
Hybrid coil systems or supportive foam cores can help
Look for “supportive but contouring” rather than “hard”
Zoned designs can:
Support heavier areas (hips)
Cushion lighter areas (shoulders)
Reduce pressure hotspots
A mattress that balances support + pressure relief is usually best. Look for contouring comfort layers with a supportive core (often hybrids or quality foam options).
t can contribute, especially if it creates pressure on certain areas or irritates nerves. Mayo Clinic notes numbness can be caused by pressure on nerves.
It depends on your body, but many people feel best with:
Side sleeping on a pressure-relieving mattress, or
Back sleeping with gentle support and alignment
It can help reduce pressure and improve comfort by allowing you to elevate the legs or find a more neutral sleeping position.
If you have poor circulation and experience sleep issues due to a mattress that doesn't allow for proper blood flow during the night, you may want to consider a new mattress. Visit us at one of our two stores in Sarasota and Venice and try one for yourself!