The Best Bedding Essentials for Your Sleep Style

For Hot Sleepers: Slumber Cloud Essential Sheet Set

One of the most important factors for good sleep is a cool environment, says Dr. Polo. So, when you're running hot, your body is in overdrive to attempt to cool you down, preventing you from quickly falling asleep. Ideally, he says to keep the room temperature around 68 to 69 degrees. But if you're still hot, consider investing in bedding materials that can pull heat and moisture away from the bed and help keep the surface cooler, making the sleeper (that's you!) more comfortable throughout the night. "Look for bedding that has cooling fabric or even temperature-balancing beds that can warm you as you fall asleep and provide cooling to help you stay asleep," Dr. Polo says.

These sheets use NASA's Outlast technology to absorb and store heat so you remain at your ideal temperature through every sleep cycle. They are soft to the touch while still feeling cozy and come in various colors to match your aesthetic.

For Back Sleepers: ComfiLife Lumbar Support Pillow

Back sleepers may need extra support to ensure proper alignment and reduce stress on the lower back area, says Dr. Polo. "Although comfort is subjective to the sleeper, back sleepers should strive for a pillow that aligns their neck and spine," he says. Consider this lumbar support pillow that you can lay underneath your lower back for additional support and enhanced comfort. While it might take a few nights to get used to, it could prevent fewer aches and pains when you wake up in the morning.

For Stomach Sleepers: Bluewave Bedding Ultra Slim Gel Memory Foam Pillow

According to Dr. Polo, stomach sleeping is the least common sleep position. "While it can reduce snoring, it might be at the risk of neck and back complaints," he says. "Neck, back, or shoulder pain are frequent complaints in individuals who sleep on their stomach. On your stomach, your chest sinks deeper into the mattress because of its weight, causing your back to arch, resulting in the improper alignment of the neck and spine."

So, what can help you feel more at ease but also allow you to fall into dreamland in your preferred position? A thin yet supportive pillow like this gel memory foam option from Bluewave. This reduces the strain of the angle imposed by the neck. Also, choosing a firm mattress can do wonders, Dr. Polo says.

For Side Sleepers: Luna Memory Foam Knee Pillow

While side sleeping is the most common sleep position, studies have shown that this preference can create pressure points on your hips and shoulders, says Dr. Polo. Of course, this can result in discomfort over an extended period. "Side sleepers can benefit from a curved pillow that contours for enhanced comfort and support. Sleeping with a pillow between your legs can also help keep your spine in alignment while sleeping," he says.

This highly-rated and inexpensive pillow is made of memory foam, so it's both soft and sturdy; tuck it between your legs while you sleep. You can move it slightly above or under your knee, depending on what feels best to you.

For Back and Side Sleepers: Therapeutica Cervical Orthopedic Foam Sleeping Pillow

For back and side sleepers who wake up each morning with some neck pain or stiffness, the pillow might be to blame. If this sounds like you, consider trying this ergonomic pillow created by an ergonomic designer and a chiropractor. The molded foam design features three specific areas to reduce neck pain—a wedge extension to support the upper spine, a firm cervical contour to support the neck, and a contoured headrest to keep the head level.

For Light Sleepers: Brooklinen Mulberry Eye Mask

If you are regularly jolted awake by soft sounds or slivers of light, you're likely envious of those who can fall asleep seemingly anywhere. Though our ability to fall and stay asleep can change throughout our lives, light sleepers generally awaken to external disturbances more quickly than others throughout the night, Dr. Polo says. The first step is to figure out what is impacting your rest—and if it's sensitivity to light, a luxurious eye mask, like this option from Brooklinen, will help. Made of silk, it's cozy to wear (without being too tight)—and its added cushion ensures lights won't disturb your slumber.

For Deep Sleepers: Buffy Cloud Comforter

Deep sleepers experience more restorative rest than light sleepers, probably because they completely cycle through all sleep stages, says Dr. Polo. If you fall into this category, you might not need to change anything, but if you want some added coziness, consider replacing your current bed covering with Buffy's appropriately named "cloud" comforter. It's plush, temperature-regulating, lightweight, and highly rated online.

For Restless Sleepers: Baloo Weighted Blanket

As Dr. Polo reminds us, having proper bedding is vital to our sleep—and when we don't have good bedding, it can cause us to toss and turn throughout the night. "As we know, a restless night often bleeds into our lives during the day, and if our sleep schedule is thrown off, we feel off," he says. "So, investing in proper bedding that keeps you comfortable is important."

If you are feeling restless or going through a period of heightened anxiety and stress, a weighted blanket, like this one from Baloo, is almost like falling asleep while being cuddled (just without the body heat!). It will help to lower your heart rate, make you feel secure and safe, and hopefully, cut back on your midnight tango.

For Sleepers With Back Pain: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

The type of mattress you sleep on can directly affect how you feel each day, and for back pain sufferers, the type of mattress is of utmost importance. Nectar's memory foam mattress is good for back, side, and stomach sleepers—and fits the bill for those with back pain, offering therapeutic gel-infused memory foam, a "dynamic response" foam layer, and a stability foam base layer that helps relieve pressure and keeps your spine in a healthy alignment.