Sleep is vital to our everyday function. However, the National Sleep Foundation reports that lack of sleep is affecting a large number of Americans. In fact, 35 percent of respondents to the National Sleep Foundation Sleep Index Poll cited their sleep quality as poor. In many cases, a mattress may be to blame. Don’t sacrifice sleep. Here are four signs that it’s time to swap your mattress.
You Wake Up Achy or Tired
Think it’s time to replace your mattress? First, analyze your sleep. If you are having trouble getting a full night’s rest or waking up achy and tired, these are the first signs that your mattress needs to be replaced. Over the course of time, your mattress slowly loses its integrity, its support changes and the materials that it is made of can degrade, all of which directly impacts your quality of sleep.
Your Mattress Feels or Looks Saggy and Lumpy
Wear and tear like lumps and saggy spots can be the culprits that are getting between you and a good night’s sleep. Damage and degradation are proof that your mattress has seen better days and overall point to the fact that your mattress needs to be replaced. When replacing your mattress, consider the many types on the market today. The most common is the innerspring mattress, which offers firm support and is a good choice for almost anyone. Memory foam mattresses are a good choice for those with muscle pain or chronic fatigue, as this popular style contours to the body and offers consistent support, says the National Sleep Foundation.
You Sleep Better When You’re Away From Home
Are you getting more shuteye on business trips or vacations than when you are at your own home? That is a red flag and a sure sign that it’s time to swap your old mattress for a new one. While today’s top hotels are designed to be extra cozy and conducive to sleep, you still need to be able to get an equally great night’s rest in your own bed.
Your Mattress Is More Than Five Years Old
For years, most of us believed that the standard lifetime of a mattress was between eight and 10 years. However, sleep experts have recently found that the standard mattress lifespan may actually be much shorter. If your mattress is over five years old, there is a good chance that it may need to be replaced. If you are having trouble sleeping, sleep better when you are away from home or if your mattress is showing signs of wear and tear, it is ready to be replaced.
There are a few precautions you can take to extend the life of your mattress. Experts from the National Sleep Foundation recommend rotating your mattress regularly; this will help it wear more evenly over time. The sleep experts also suggest giving your mattress a regular deep clean with a vacuum as a means to keep dust from settling in. Additionally, the National Sleep Foundation also advises against jumping on your mattress and suggests sitting on other furniture in your home when you’re on your laptop, tying your shoes or just hanging around, as camping out in the same spot on a routine basis can cause your mattress to lose its structure permanently.