One of the most important part of good health is sleep. But, it’s hard to sleep well because worn-out, unsupportive mattress could be big guilty one in this case. This article discusses the main symptoms of the poor sleep and health caused by the bad mattress and also the danger of sleep deprivation. The article will also delve into how to select the best mattress depending on your needs and for better sleep.
Getting adequate, high-quality sleep is crucial for cognitive function, mood, heart health, weight management, immune function, and much more. However, many people blame things like stress, busy schedules, or aging for their tossing and turning, without considering the clear bad mattress signs that indicate it’s time for an upgrade.
Your mattress has a massive impact on comfort and support during sleep, considering we spend an estimated 26 years of our lives in bed! An old, sagging mattress can cause or worsen sleep disturbances like insomnia, fragmented sleep, and reduced REM sleep. This sets off a vicious cycle of sleep deprivation that steals your energy, mental sharpness, and wellbeing.
This article will cover:
- The top signs your mattress is deteriorating
- How lack of sleep affects the body and brain
- Tips for choosing the ideal new mattress for your needs
- Where to find mattresses that promote healthy sleep
Arm yourself with knowledge so you can recognize if your mattress is sabotaging your sleep and invest in the restorative sleep vital for health.
Signs Your Mattress is Contributing to Sleep Issues
Here are some of the most common indicators that your mattress is negatively affecting your rest:
01. Frequent Nighttime Awakenings and Difficulty Falling Asleep
If you find yourself frequently waking up in the middle of the night or struggling to fall asleep in the first place, your mattress may be to blame. Unrestful sleep throughout the night can signal your mattress is not providing adequate comfort and support as you shift sleeping positions.
Tossing and turning leads to fragmented sleep robbed of restorative deep sleep and REM sleep where dreaming occurs. Without adequate time in these reparative stages, you wake up groggy and unrestored, setting up a repetitive cycle night after night.
02. Constant Tossing, Turning, and Difficulty Getting Comfortable
Listening to sleep soundtracks, perfecting your environment, and going to bed early may not help much if your mattress doesn’t properly conform to your body. This forces you to constantly toss and turn trying to get comfortable.
An older mattress that has lost its initial comfort and responsiveness or an improperly firm mattress can cause you to toss and turn. This makes it tough to truly relax into deeper stages of restorative sleep.
03. Allergy Symptoms Like Congestion, Runny Nose, and Itchy Eyes
One of the most common allergy triggers is right under you—your mattress. Over time, mattresses accumulate dust, debris, dead skin cells, and dust mites that can trigger allergies, congestion, runny noses, and irritated eyes.
Allergen prevention techniques like mattress and pillow covers can reduce exposure to these triggers. But a new mattress may be in order if covers don’t fully alleviate symptoms.
Look for mattresses like those from Casper that have designs minimizing allergen buildup and are made with hypoallergenic materials. Their breathable mattress protector also blocks allergens and keeps your mattress fresh.
04. Back, Neck, Joint Pain, and Muscle Aches Upon Waking
Does your back ache and your neck crack every morning when you get out of bed? Do your hips and shoulders feel sore? This is a tell-tale sign your mattress is not supporting proper spinal alignment.
As mattresses age, they can sag or form indentations. These dips throw your spine out of alignment, causing aches and pains and pressure points on hips and shoulders. This leaves you feeling sore and achy in the mornings as you start your day.
Mattresses that are too firm or soft relative to your body type can also generate discomfort in pressure points like the hips, shoulders, and back.
04. Noticeable Sagging, Lumps, and Indents
Inspecting your mattress appearance is one of the most clear-cut indicators of excessive wear. Sagging areas that cause you to roll towards the middle, mattress lifespan shortened by improper care, or visible irregular lumps point to a mattress ready for retirement.
Sagging is a natural process as mattress materials compress over time, especially in areas like the middle where weight concentration is highest. But excessive sagging that leaves your spine unsupported signals it’s time for replacement.
Turning and rotating your mattress periodically and using a supportive foundation can help prevent premature sagging and impressions. But inevitably, mattresses wear out and need replacing.
05. Creaking Noises, Squeaks, and Other Audible Disturbances
As mattresses age and materials compress and break down, structural mattress structure issues arise. You might notice snoring partners, creaks, squeaks, or other noises that disrupt sleep. These audible signs can signal your mattress has surpassed its useful life.
Mattresses made purely of foam tend to hold up better than innerspring mattresses, where coils can warp and loosen over time leading to noise. However, all mattress types eventually degrade.
The sounds of an aging mattress can make it difficult to fall asleep. Plus, a partner’s tossing and turning is no longer absorbed but audibly transfers through the mattress.
06. You’re Sleeping on a Very Old Mattress
Just like appliances and cars, mattresses wear out over time and lose their comfort, support, and hygiene. The standard recommended mattress replacement timeline is every 7-10 years.
If your mattress is over 10 years old, chances are the mattress longevity has expired. Support, pressure relief, alignment, and breathability decline with age as materials compress and components break down.
While a mattress protector can prolong mattress life, too many years of use will take its toll. If you are sleeping on a mattress older than 10 years, replacing it could significantly improve your sleep.
The Serious Effects of Sleep Deprivation
Sleep deprivation from a worn-out, uncomfortable mattress can have seriously detrimental effects on nearly every aspect of your health and quality of life. Ongoing poor sleep takes a major toll both in the short term and long term. Consider the following alarming effects:
Immediate Consequences
- Daytime fatigue, sleepiness, and inability to focus or concentrate
- Cognitive issues like cloudy thinking, memory lapses, lack of creativity
- Mood disturbances like emotional volatility, irritability, anxiety, depression
- Lack of motivation, difficulty completing tasks or making decisions
- Clumsiness, slowed reflexes, impaired coordination and motor skills
Long-Term Effects
- High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity
- Hormonal disruptions like reduced libido, irregular menstrual cycles
- Premature skin aging, hair loss, brittle nails, dark under eye circles
- Suppressed immune function and more frequent illnesses
- Cognitive decline, memory loss, dementia risk
- Increased risk of mental health issues like depression, anxiety
- Metabolic changes like weight gain, increased appetite, sugar cravings
Clearly, the cascade of adverse effects underscores how absolutely essential it is to prioritize healthy, restorative sleep by choosing a supportive mattress. Lack of sleep negatively impacts nearly every system in the body and brain. Don’t underestimate how a worn-out mattress might be the hidden culprit robbing you of reparative rest.
How to Choose the Right Mattress for Your Needs
If you’re sleeping on an old, uncomfortable mattress, it’s probably time to start shopping around. Keep these tips in mind when selecting your ideal mattress:
Consider Your Typical Sleep Position
Your sleep position helps determine the ideal mattress firmness. Side sleepers often need softer mattresses to cushion shoulders and hips for pressure relief. Back sleepers need firmer options to keep the spine properly aligned.
Combination sleepers who shift positions are best served by a medium mattress balancing comfort and support. Or opt for a zoned mattress designed for your sleep style.
Compare Different Mattress Types
Memory foam, innerspring, latex, and hybrid mattresses all have their own benefits. Understand how the construction and materials impact support, pressure relief, and durability.
Memory foam and latex excel at contouring to the body while providing pressure relief. Innerspring and hybrid options offer more bounce while reinforcing the back.
Seek Out Zoned Support
Look for mattresses designed with targeted zones supporting the areas needing it most—shoulders, hips, and back. Zoned coil, foam, or latex placements keep these areas properly aligned.
For example, Casper’s Zoned Support aligns the spine and alleviates pressure points
Set a Budget But Don’t Sacrifice on Quality
While cost is a necessary factor for most shoppers, don’t sacrifice your sleep health and comfort to save money. Invest in a high-quality mattress made with durable materials built to provide comfort and support night after night.
Quality mattress materials like memory foam and pocketed coil systems cost more upfront. But they last longer than poorly made budget mattresses that lose their shape quickly. Do your research to get the best return on your investment.
Ask About Trial Periods
Buying a mattress sight unseen can be risky. That’s why reputable online brands like Casper allow for risk-free at home trials.
Taking advantage of an in-home trial allows you to test out the mattress for 30-100 nights to properly evaluate it beyond a quick store test. If it’s not the right fit, reputable brands will arrange a fuss-free return.
Don’t Skimp on the Warranty
A quality mattress is a long-term investment, so you want reassurance it will provide reliable comfort and support for years to come. Look for a warranty of at least 10 years, but 15-25 years is ideal for more peace of mind.
The fine print matters too. Make sure the warranty thoroughly covers sagging, body impressions, materials defects, and replacement value. Carefully read policies on foundation requirements, maintenance, and claim filing process.
Consider Sustainability
Eco-conscious consumers should look to mattress brands utilizing recycled, responsibly resourced, and recyclable materials in their designs.
For example, select Casper mattresses incorporate up to 60 recycled plastic bottles in each mattress along with recycled cotton, wool, latex, and foam. Plus, they are delivered in innovative recyclable packaging.
Read Reviews About Customer Service
Brands that offer responsive, all-encompassing customer support make the buying, delivery, set-up, and ownership experience hassle-free.
Read reviews and test customer service yourself to find brands that deliver exceptional service. They should offer convenient product selection advice, shipping and delivery coordination, mattress removal services, plus easy returns or exchanges if needed.
Give Yourself Time to Adjust
Remember there is often an adjustment period when sleeping on a new mattress, especially if you switched support types. Allow 2-4 weeks for your body to adjust and the materials to break-in before making a final verdict. But don’t hesitate to take advantage of return policies if discomfort persists.
Conclusion
As you can see, a subpar mattress can have profound detrimental effects on your sleep, health, and quality of life. Paying attention to bad mattress signs like sagging, pain, and sleep disruptions can clue you into the need for an upgrade. Investing in a high-quality mattress designed for comfort, support, and durability is one of the best things you can do for your overall wellbeing. Quality sleep promotes physical health, cognitive function, stable mood, enhanced immunity, heart health, and so much more.
So don’t underestimate the importance of the mattress you sleep on night after night. Arm yourself with the knowledge to recognize when it’s negatively impacting your sleep and take action to get the restorative rest you need to thrive and optimize your health. The right mattress makes all the difference between waking up feeling restored or waking up tired and achy.
