Studies have connected poor sleep to memory and concentration problems, weakened immune system functioning, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
A mattress that fails to provide adequate support or pressure relief may also contribute to aches and pains the next day. The following list shows signs of a bad mattress:
Aches and Pains: Waking up with aches and pains may be due to the comfort layers in your mattress breaking down, causing pressure points when you sink onto the firmer support core.
Poor Sleep
Tossing and turning on an uncomfortable mattress may result in poor sleep quality, even if you’re not consciously aware of it. If you no longer wake up feeling refreshed, your mattress may be at the end of its life.
Other signs that your mattress is affecting your sleep include waking up multiple times a night or taking longer than usual to fall asleep.
Sagging
Almost all mattresses start to sag over time as a result of supporting the weight of your body night after night. A sagging mattress can lead to uneven spinal support, which may cause pressure to build up in your back and neck as you sleep. Seeing permanent body indentations in the mattress is a clear sign that it needs replacing.
Poor Support
The layers of the mattress are meant to work together to support the shape of your spine. The comfort layers should conform to encourage proper spinal alignment without excessive sinking. Similarly, the support core should provide a stable base to support the heavier parts of the body and keep the spine on an even plane. If you are waking up stiff and sore, it may be due to an unsupportive mattress.
Excessive Heat
A mattress’ temperature regulation abilities mostly depend on the materials used in its construction. Mattresses with coil support cores tend to sleep cooler, while foam mattresses trap more heat due to their solid construction. While many manufacturers use gel infusions or phase change material to reduce the heat retention of a foam mattress, these materials can wear out over time and lead to an uncomfortably warm sleep surface. The comfort layers may also become softer, allowing you to sink further into your mattress, resulting in poor sleep posture, and leaving less room for airflow around the body.
Allergen Buildup
Allergen buildup is common in worn mattresses, which have had plenty of time to collect pet dander, mildew, mold, and other allergens.
If you struggle with allergies at home, your worn mattress may be one of the culprits. You can protect against mold and mildew by using a mattress foundation that leaves room for airflow beneath the mattress, and reduce allergen buildup by using a machine-washable mattress protector.
Dust Mites
Mattresses accumulate dead skin cells that attract dust mites. For people with allergies, dust mites can cause sneezing, watery eyes, sinus pressure, and runny noses. Innerspring mattresses are more likely to harbor dust mites, whereas latex and foam mattresses have fewer open spaces for them to live.
Periodically vacuuming your mattress or using a mattress protector may help keep out dust mites.
Mattress Age
While some mattresses last longer than others, sooner or later all mattresses start to lose their pressure-relieving and supportive capabilities. Improper care, added weight, and failure to use a proper foundation can all shorten a mattress’ lifespan.
“Mattress Envy”
When your mattress fails to deliver balanced support and comfort, you may find yourself developing mattress envy for other beds. If you feel more refreshed after sleeping on a hotel bed than you do at home, your mattress likely isn’t serving its purpose.
SwissAire is all about good sleep, and good posture. This is why our products have overwhelmingly positive testimonials. The Ergo series of mattresses helps you sleep better with good posture, so you can unleash your potential all day long and keep back pain at bay.
Learn about how you can choose the best mattress for yourself and your family, and check out how your mattress might be affecting your back and posture, and how mattresses may play a role in relieving your back pain.