On average, adults spend about a third of their day in bed. That is, if you try to follow the proper sleeping hours as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Unfortunately, most adults are not getting enough sleep despite being do their beds for those eight hours. Many reasons can contribute to this, including a bad mattress. When was the last time you replaced your mattress? Your mattress supports your body every day. But after several years, it will stop providing proper support, causing you to ache. If you are wondering whether it is time to replace your mattress, here are some signs to watch out for.
Table of Contents
Pain And Discomfort In The Morning
Do you wake up with some aches and pain in the morning? If so, your mattress could be the culprit. The more you use your mattress, the more it loses its ability to provide you with the right support. The common places you are likely to feel pain are the neck, hips, shoulders, and lower back. You may also see the physical outline of your body on your mattress. A supportive mattress ought to return to its natural state. When your mattress starts losing shape, it will not support the natural curvature of your spine. This causes stress to other body parts when you sleep. If the pain and discomfort you wake up with reduces or goes away in the course of the day, the issue is your mattress.
Your Mattress Is More Than 8 Years Old
Your mattress is one of the many things in your home not designed to last forever. When you start waking up with some aches and pain, you should ask yourself when you bought the mattress. Experts recommend replacing the mattress every 7 to 10 years. If you bought a mattress with a 20-year warranty, you might be shocked by this information. You need to know that that warranty is only for certain parts like springs and workmanship. It does not cover the overall comfort of a mattress.
You Are Getting Skin Reactions Or Allergies
If you wake up with hives or your allergies get worse at night or in the morning, the issue could be your mattress. Dust mites are the leading cause of allergies, and they thrive in bedding. If you do not have a dust mite-resistant mattress, you should get one. Consider replacing your old mattress with an organic cotton mattress. Organic mattresses are ideal for people with respiratory issues. On top of that, these mattresses are resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew, ensuring your mattress is well ventilated and clean.
You Wake Up Feeling Tired
If you get quality sleep at night, you should wake up feeling rested. But if you find that you wake up feeling drowsy and tired, your mattress could be the problem. This is especially if you do not have any sleep conditions like sleep apnea. When you struggle to sleep at night, you will keep turning and tossing the whole night, trying to find a comfortable sleeping condition. This results in your body working overtime instead of resting. That is why you wake up feeling tired.
Your Mattress Is Sagging
If you wake up with pain and discomfort, check whether your mattress is sagging. Sagging occurs when the springs get worn out and lose their resiliency. If you also notice some body impressions on the mattress in the morning, it is time to replace the mattress. Sagging and impressions are likely to lead to increased pain when you wake up. Start budgeting for a new mattress if the sagging and impressions are 1.5 inches or more in depth. Such a mattress will not last before it starts causing you health problems.
Trouble Sleeping
Another sign you need a new mattress is if you have trouble sleeping. You may not be waking up in pain, but if you find it difficult to sleep, this could be caused by your mattress. To be sure of this, try sleeping in a different bed for one night. If you sleep better, start looking for a new mattress. Sleep deprivation can lead to certain conditions, including decreased mood and fatigue. Sleep is important if you are to be productive the following day. If your old mattress is robbing this from you, get a new one.
You Have Undergone Significant Weight Change
Gaining or losing weight is normal. It can be caused by several things like an accident, surgery, change in diet, pregnancy, or aging. Even though a mattress might be in decent condition, what offered support five years ago may not be as comfortable if your weight has fluctuated. If firmness is the issue, a temporary solution is a mattress topper until you are ready to get a new mattress. But if the mattress is too soft, a topper will not do the trick. Get a new mattress to support your weight.
Do not let a bad mattress stop you from getting enough rest. Watch out for these signs and if you experience any of them, start budgeting for a new mattress.
