Is It Time To Replace Your Mattress
Even though we spend a third of our lives in bed, many of us will keep our existing mattress for long past its intended lifetime before we think about replacing it.
An old, low-quality, or poorly fitted mattress can cause sleepness nights, back pain, neck pain, and general daytime crankiness. Plus, if you suffer from allergies, older mattresses filled with allergens will wreak havoc on your nightly breathing.
If your not sure whether you should be looking to replace your current mattress, see if any of the following fit how you feel about your sleep surface and decide is it time to replace your mattress:
I’ve Owned My Matrress For Longer Than Seven Years
While many of us still hold onto the traditional 10 to 12-year rule, the BSC recommends that you replace your mattress every 5 to 7 years. Recent research conducted at Oklahoma State University showed significant health benefits to back pain, sleep quality, and other factors when mattresses were replaced after a 5-year span (Sleep Savvy, April 2008).
My Mattress Is Uncomfortable
You spend a significant amount of your life in bed. If nothing else, your mattress should be comfortable. Discomfort is also a good indication that your mattress is not offering proper support. When you get into bed, if you are not sighing with relief as all the day’s stresses are released from your body, it’s time to replace the mattress.
I’d Like A Higher Quality Sleep Surface
Maybe when you bought your current mattress, you went for a low-end clearance model because of a strict budget, or got an inexpensive hand-me down from a relative’s guest room. If your sleep is suffering, an upgrade might be in order. Nowadays, several mattress retailers are offering high quality brands at reasonbale prices. Still in doubt? Considering the cost per night over the next 5 to 7 years may help put things in perspective.
My Mattress Has A Body Impression
Over time, mattresses will naturally conform to the body of the sleeper, leaving shallow body impressions. While this is a natural occurrence for all mattresses, these indentations will eventually become deeper, decreasing support. A mattress that has a body impression deeper than 1.5 inches should be replaced.
I Suffer From Back And Neck Pain
A new mattress could be the best medicine for daytime aches and pains! Research has shown that new bedding can reduce back pain and back stiffness by more than half in just a four-week period (Sleep Saavy, May/June 2007).
Today, advancements in sleep technology have given us a variety of sleep surfaces proven to reduce pressure points such as natural latex, memory foam, even innerspring and foam combos. Try out several different kinds and choose one that makes you say, “ahhh”.
I’m Concerned About Allergies
Awful as it sounds, tiny critters called dust mites tend to congregate in mattresses and pillows, chowing down on our sloughed skin cells and hair. While dust mites and their eggs are harmless to most, roughly 10 percent of us have allergies that can be exacerbated by dust mites. In these cases, a new mattress can improve nightly breathing, and in turn, provide more restful sleep.