It’s six in the morning and you’ve done more tossing around than sleeping. When you sit up, a sharp pain shoots through your back. It sounds like it’s time for you to start shopping around for a new mattress.
We know, buying a mattress isn’t a cheap endeavor. It might be the only way that you’ll be able to get sleep at night, though. Without a proper night’s rest, you won’t be able to concentrate on the day ahead of you.
Still, is there any way that you can save your mattress? Keep reading to find out for sure if it’s time to retire it.
1. Your Mattress is Over 7 Years Old
When was the last time you bought a new mattress? If you can’t remember, it might be time to retire your old one. Mattresses are only meant to last for 7-8 years. After that, the springs in your innerspring mattress will start to wear out.
There’s also the fact that your body unconsciously changes it’s sleep preferences every so often. So, if you can’t get comfortable, it might be because your mattress no longer suits you the way it once did.
If you’re not sure if your mattress is too old, take some time to physically inspect it. If you can see coils trying to peek out of the mattress or you can feel springs poking into your body when you lay down, that means it’s time to get rid of it.
2. You Don’t Wake Up Rested
If you don’t wake up in the morning feeling refreshed, what was the point of sleeping? If you don’t suffer from some kind of sleep disorder, the reason for your restlessness might be your mattress.
You spent so much time tossing and turning that you weren’t able to reach REM sleep. Your body was trying to find a comfortable position. Alas, there’s no such thing when you’re sleeping on an old, lumpy mattress.
3. You Awaken with Aches and Pains
Don’t worry, waking up with terrible back pain doesn’t mean that you’re getting old. It means that you need to start looking at mattresses for back pain.
Your current one isn’t supporting the right pressure points in your body. Perhaps it once did, but as the mattress began to age, it lost its original form and firmness.
Then again, you may simply need to visit a chiropractor. If your back pain starts hurting in the morning and tends to fade away as you go about your day, it’s your mattress. If it doesn’t go away, it’s time to make an appointment with your doctor.
4. You’re Experiencing Horrible Allergies
Your mattress is a breeding ground for dust mites and allergens. You can kick some of these problems to the curb by using a mattress cover, but it won’t last forever.
There will come a time when you’re waking up to a runny nose and sore throat every morning. When that happens, it’s time for you to get a new mattress.
If we may make a suggestion, go with memory foam or gel. Dust mites will still collect on these mattress materials, but they’re more resistant to them.
5. The Mattress is Sagging
As your mattress ages, the coils will begin to weaken. In the case of memory foam mattresses, they lose their shape after a while. When this happens, your mattress will start to sag.
If you’re not sure if your mattress is sagging or not, take a look at it after you get up. If it doesn’t take too long to bounce back to its original form, you’re fine. If it doesn’t, you’ve got a problem.
Buying a New Mattress?
You can’t throw your old mattress out until you buy a new one. The question is, which one do you choose? Innerspring mattresses will provide a completely different sleeping experience than a memory foam one.
You’ll need to find something a little special if you tend to sleep hot or if you have back issues.
Traditional Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses have been around for a long time and they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. They’re firmer than most other mattresses on the market and provide a little bit of bounce.
They work well if you tend to sleep on your side or stomach. They’re also a good decision if your partner tosses around throughout the night.
Memory Foam
Memory foam mattresses don’t quite have the bounce that innerspring ones do, but they do provide a lot of pressure relief. If you want a firmer bed, you’ll need to pay careful attention to the thickness of the foam.
They’re ideal for those who sleep on their side and back because they hug certain pressure points. They do tend to trap in a lot of heat that makes them not so ideal for stomach sleepers.
You Get Hot Easily
Foam and latex are horrible for those who sleep hot because they trap in body heat. If you want to use these types of mattresses anyway, you’ll need to invest in a gel topper that will help cool things down. There are also certain sheet and pillowcase materials that are cooler than others.
You Have Back Pain
Memory foam mattresses are a good choice if you suffer from back pain. It will hug your body and provide plenty of support that will put your back at ease.
It’s Time for a New Mattress
Sleeping on an old mattress can set off your allergies and leave you waking up with a sore back. If you feel like you’re sinking down, it might be time for you to buy a new mattress.
If nothing changes after you switch out your mattress, you could have another problem on your hands. Check out the health section of our blog to find out if you should make a doctor’s appointment.
