You and your mattress have been through a lot together. There have been cozy times as well as some sleepless nights. But not all relationships are meant to last forever. It may be that your mattress isn’t being as supportive as it once was, or that it’s starting to make you uncomfortable or even causing you pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s not always easy to know exactly what justifies a break-up with your long-term bed buddy, but here are a few clues to help you decide if it’s time for a new mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In general, the average lifespan of an\u00a0innerspring mattress<\/a>\u00a0is eight years. At that point, most mattresses will show signs of wear and tear, and you’ll have a harder time getting comfortable than you once did. The mattress might sag in places, feel lumpy, and start to squeak; in some cases, you might even feel the coils or springs<\/a> poking through the surface. (Learn more about\u00a0mattress lifespan<\/a>\u00a0here.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the American Chiropractic Association, it’s estimated that 80% of people will experience back pain<\/a> at some point in their lives\u2014and a poor mattress won’t help the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “One true indicator of a poor mattress is soreness\/stiffness upon waking,” says Tom Tozer<\/a>, chiropractor at Imperium Chiropractic in Ladysmith, Wisc. “Back pain<\/a> in the morning can be from improper support from your mattress or inflammation that is gathering while sleeping from the day’s activities. A good supportive mattress will allow the body time to rest and recover at night.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tozer says you can try to get a little more life out of your mattress with a mattress topper<\/a> or by placing a piece of plywood between the box spring and the mattress (known as a bunkie board<\/a>), but it may just be time for a new model. Consider a medium-firm mattress<\/a> or an adjustable bed<\/a>; these allow you to raise your head and legs separately, taking the pressure off your lower back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A comfortable temperature is key to getting a good night’s sleep. If you consistently wake up sweating or throw off the covers during the night, it might be your mattress. Memory foam mattresses<\/a> tend to “sleep hot,” because that’s their thing: The foam softens in response to body heat and conforms to your body shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For this reason, newer memory foam mattresses contain cooling gel layers and breathable fabric to offset the warmth they generate. Innerspring or hybrid mattresses<\/a> are other good choices for hot sleepers, as they are constructed to allow for airflow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Time for a new mattress? See what Saatva offers<\/p>\n \n You wake up achy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You’re feeling the heat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n