Six Signs It Is Time for a New Mattress

By Antoinette Ayana

The average person spends approximately one-third of their life asleep. Maintaining a regular, uninterrupted sleep schedule is crucial for physical and mental health, helping to improve energy, mood, weight control, and productivity. Due to its extreme importance, it only makes sense to replace an old or faulty bed when it begins to affect one's quality of sleep. According to Consumer Reports, a mattress should be replaced at least every 10 years. The following signs may also indicate the need for a replacement.
1. You Wake Up Sore and Stiff
A comfortable bed doesn't always equate to proper body support. Old mattresses tend to weaken and sag over time, and the comfort layers often lose their shape and compression. The result is commonly back, shoulder, or neck pain and stiffness. Sleeping on the wrong support type can also cause pain, such as slumbering on a soft bed when your body requires a firm.

2. You Don't Feel Refreshed When You Wake
A person should feel refreshed and reenergized after a full night's rest. However, if fatigue and drowsiness occur throughout the day, the mattress may be to blame. Tossing and turning throughout the night in an attempt to find a comfortable position can result in poor quality sleep. If you don't wake refreshed, be sure to rule out other potential causes, such as insomnia.
3. You Notice Lumps and Bumps
Over time, the padding inside of a mattress may shift around, causing an uneven distribution of comfort layers. Slumbering on these lumps and bumps can cause significant back pain, and can make it difficult to stay asleep for extended periods of time without waking up in discomfort. These lumps and bumps may develop prematurely in poor quality beds in which the fill is not properly stitched.
4. You Suffer from Allergies
Allergies can make life miserable, especially when the person has yet to determine the cause. Beds, as well as the sheets, blankets, and pillows that cover it, can collect a wide variety of allergy triggers, such as dust mites and pet dander. Investing in a new sleep set can help allergy sufferers get a "new start" due to the elimination of years of contaminant buildup.
5. You Hear Creaking Sounds
There's nothing more irritating than a creaking box spring when attempting to rest. The box spring is a vital part of any bedding set, providing the mattress with the support it needs to prevent sagging. Old box springs can break or begin to wear down over time, which directly affects the comfort, shape, and support of your bed.

6. You See an Impression
One of the most obvious signs that a replacement is needed is a noticeable permanent impression in the top comfort layers. An impression can develop over time, as the padding and top compression layers shift. For individuals who tend to slumber in the same spot and position night after night, a sag can occur where the weight of the body is.
The telltale signs that it's time for a new bed are often hard to miss. To ensure a proper night's rest, invest in a new sleep set that provides adequate comfort and support.

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