Mattress for prone and supine sleeping and associated method

A multi-purpose bed for permitting a user to comfortably lay face-down during extended time periods may include a mattress with a linear passageway formed between top and bottom surfaces. The passageway may also extend from the center of the mattress to opposed longitudinal sides thereof. A plurality of openings, connected to the passageway, may be formed in the top surface of the mattress. A plurality of pillows may be removably attached to the top of the mattress and positioned along partial perimeters of the openings. A plurality of panels may be situated beneath the openings. A mechanism for independently adapting each of the panels between open and closed positions for permitting and prohibiting free flow of the ambient air through a corresponding one of the openings and the passageway may also be included.