Here’s a question for you: how old is your mattress? If you can’t recall when you bought your current mattress, it might be time to replace it. An old mattress won’t do you any good. Instead, it might cause a lot of sleepless nights, body pain, and allergies. If you aren’t convinced, take a look at these 5 reasons why you should replace your old mattress and decide for yourself.
5 Reasons Why You Should Replace Your Old Mattress
- Old Mattress
There is no reason you should compromise on sleep. If you are experiencing sleepless nights, mattress shopping is the first thing you should consider. A mattress generally has a lifespan of eight to twelve years. However, this doesn’t mean that your mattress will last this long. Several factors like your weight, the addition of a partner, or constant shifting may subtract a few years from your mattress’s lifespan.
The type also dictates the lifespan of your mattress. Memory foam mattresses usually last eight to twelve years. When a memory foam mattress gets old, it retains heat in its topmost layer. This is a common reason why you might wake up feeling hot. If this happens, it’s a sign that you need to replace your mattress. A hybrid mattress has a similar lifespan.
On the other hand, a latex mattress can last twelve to fifteen years. This period depends on the quality of the latex and whether it’s synthetic or natural. For example, natural latex is expected to last longer. Innerspring mattresses can last up to nine years, but you should keep an eye out once you enter the seventh year. The technicalities of when and how you should change your mattresses are explained here in detail.
- Wrong Mattress Type
Unknowingly, you might be sleeping on a mattress that isn’t right for you. In that case, you might notice that you wake up feeling tired, experience body aches—especially neck, shoulder, or back pain—or can’t seem to fall asleep.
The type of mattress you’ll need depends significantly on your preferred sleeping position. For side sleepers, sleeping on a firm mattress like a hybrid or latex one could strain your shoulder, back, and hip. Similarly, sleeping on a foam mattress could misalign your spine if you sleep on your stomach.
You should switch to a softer mattress, like a foam mattress, if you sleep on your side. Similarly, you should sleep on a medium-firm mattress such as a hybrid or innerspring one if you sleep on your stomach. Opt for a hybrid or latex mattress if you sleep on your back. Reading this Reddit best mattress post can help you to understand which mattress will work best for you.
Just like sleeping position, your body weight is also a factor when deciding on a type of mattress. If you have gained weight lately, you should revisit the thought of replacing your mattress with something firmer. A latex, innerspring, or hybrid mattress is your best bet depending on your preferred sleeping position.
- Mattress Is Too Small
An obvious reason to replace your mattress—yet people ignore this—is growing out of your old mattress. If you are still sleeping on your twin XL and your feet are hanging off the end of the bed, it’s high time you give your mattress an upgrade. Additionally, sharing your mattress with a new partner is another good reason to upgrade to a larger mattress.
- Sleepless Nights
Whether it’s hot flashes, a lumpy mattress, or a runny nose and eyes in the morning, it all suggests your mattress is too old. Sleeping on an old mattress can not only cause discomfort during the night but also throughout the day. When you don’t get enough sleep, you will most definitely spend your day yawing and dozing off in any mildly comfortable place you find. This will lead to an unproductive day and eventually an unhealthy lifestyle.
Another reason why you might not be getting a full night’s rest is that your bed is too noisy. You may not realize this, but an old bed, especially a mattress with coils or springs, will become noisy as it ages. Your every motion will result in an annoying sound, enough to disturb your sleep.
- Health Risks
Your health is directly associated with the amount and quality of your sleep. If you don’t get a comfortable sleep, your body might start to ache. If that persists, it won’t be long until your temporary pain becomes chronic. To avoid all this and more, upgrading to a better mattress is the way to go.
Not only this, but if you are sleeping on an old mattress, it could also mean you are sleeping on a dirty mattress. You are essentially exposing yourself to harmful bacteria, dust mites, and molds that your mattress has accumulated over the years. For people with allergies, this may worsen their condition as they are constantly in close contact with the causative agents. For example, dust and dust mites can catalyze existing allergies or asthma.
Even if you clean your mattress regularly, there is a limit to what you can and can’t get out of it. Not to mention the unpleasant and stuffy odor that the mattress will develop. All of this means that you should probably replace your mattress.
Final Thoughts
Constant allergic reactions, recurrent back, and neck pain, and restless nights are all indicators that it might be time for you to change your mattress. We hope this article helped make this decision easier and that you will soon be sleeping peacefully on your new mattress.
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