On average, Americans are sleeping at least one hour less every night than they did years ago. This is mostly due to our overly busy lives. However, it could also be because we are up all night tossing and turning on a bad mattress. Believe it or not, sleeping on a bad mattress can not only have negative effects on your sleeping patterns, but it can also negatively impact your overall health. Below you will find the way a bad mattress can affect your overall health, the symptoms of a bad mattress and some things you should consider before shopping for a new one.
Mattresses and Health
An old mattress can affect your health in a number of different ways. Generally mattresses last about 8 to 10 years depending on the manufacturer, quality and use. A bad mattress can mean your sleep pattern is disrupted which greatly reduces your quality of sleep. Less sleep means more stress. An old mattress can simply be out of shape. It can have bends or dips that cause you to not sleep comfortably and wake up in pain. For those with allergies, an old mattress can be full of allergens that cause you to not sleep well at night.
Old Mattress Symptoms
When you can't exactly remember how long you have had your mattress or you just aren't getting a good night's rest anymore, it is time to take a look at your mattress to see if it needs replacing. One thing to look at is sagging in the mattress. This happens over time and is more likely to happen sooner for heavier individuals. The sagging creates dips in the bed which make it painful to sleep because the back and hips are not aligned properly. Another thing to look for is the presence of dust mites. Dust mites are an inevitably and over time your mattress will naturally become infested with them. If you are having difficulty sleeping because of allergies, odds are it is time to replace your old mattress with something new. You will also want to look for the presence of any mold or mildew through sight or smell since your body naturally sweats off about a cup of water a night while you sleep. This naturally soaks into your mattress without some kind of waterproof cover. This liquid soaking into the mattress over time can cause mold and mildew to grow.
New Mattress Considerations
Above all when shopping for a new mattress you want to look for comfort. This is an individual choice because what may be comfortable for you is not comfortable for someone else. Therefore, lie down on the mattress and try is out for at least 20 mins before purchasing. If you can find a store that will let you sleep on the mattress in your home for a period of time before committing to purchase it. Another thing you will want to consider is size. This is another individual choice. If you are single you might want to stick to a smaller bed. However, a couple will want more room and a bigger bed. The king vs california king is a good debate for a couple bed. A california king is slightly bigger than the normal king size, but they are both adequate for a couple. Another aspect to look for is labeling. What one manufacturer considers to be firm may be medium firm to another. Mattress firmness varies which is why it is important to try the mattress out before purchasing.
Your bed is where you spend one third of your life and a proper sleep is detrimental to your health. Without proper sleep, your body and your health begin to react in extremely negative ways. Making the decision to purchase a new mattress is a big investment, but the benefits to your body and overall lifestyle more than make up for the dent it might put in your wallet.
