Is It Time to Replace Your Mattress?

Getting enough quality sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. A good nights sleep can help you recover after a workout, avoid back pain and wake up feeling refreshed instead of stressed out. Sleep is also important for a healthy immune system.

If you regularly wake up feeling stiff, achy, tired or irritable, your mattress may be to blame. Here are some signs that it needs to be replaced.

Average Lifespan of a Mattress
Mattresses typically last seven to 10 years. The type of mattress you have, the manufacturer, the quality of the mattress and how often its used can all affect how long it will last. Flipping or rotating a mattress can help it wear evenly, but sooner or later, it will still become worn out and have to be replaced.

The warranty period for your mattress may be much longer than seven to 10 years. The warranty covers some parts of a mattress, but its not a guarantee that it will stay comfortable for the full period.

Signs That Your Mattress Is No Longer Serving You Well
Your mattress should support your body so you can get a restful nights sleep. If you have a memory foam mattress, it should contour to your body. If your mattress is sagging, has lumps or protruding springs, is too hard or too soft, or has Memory Foam that doesnt spring back soon after you get up, it may be time to start shopping for a new one.

Think about how you sleep away from home. If you have noticed that you sleep better when youre a guest at someone elses house or when you stay at a hotel, that can be a clear indication that the mattress at your home needs to go.

Mold, mildew, dust mites and other allergens can accumulate on mattresses. If you sneeze or feel congested when youre in or near your bed, that may be why. You may need to buy a new mattress made with hypoallergenic materials.

If your weight has increased or decreased significantly, your mattress may no longer suit you. Even if its still in good condition, it may not be the right fit for your current body type.

Focus on How You Feel
You may not notice a visible problem with your mattress, but you may realize that theres an issue if you think about how you feel. If you toss and turn because you cant find a comfortable position, wake up achy but feel better after you get out of bed or get enough hours of sleep but still dont feel refreshed, it may be due to your mattress, not stress or your partners snoring. Consider all these factors to figure out if you should invest in a new mattress.

Published with permission from RISMedia.