by Dylan Foster – dylan@healthwellwise.com

If you have been feeling drained, plagued with pains, or find yourself experiencing frequent illness, it may be an unlikely cause. Pinpointing the direct cause of your ills may seem difficult, but it could be simpler than you expect: The culprit just might be your mattress.

How to Tell You Need a New Mattress

Mattresses should be replaced every five to 10 years depending on use. One sign you need to replace is that you see a dent anywhere on your mattress. Run your hand across to find any uneven spots. If you can feel the coils, it’s time to switch it out. Also, if your mattress squeaks and creaks loudly under any weight, you may need better support. Another sign is waking up feeling sore or stiff. If you find yourself nodding off on the sofa or finding other places more comfortable than your bed itself, it’s time to replace it. Your mattress should leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed, not uncomfortable and tired.

Negative Health Effects

An old mattress can lead to more than stiff joints or a sore back. Illness is a real risk from poor sleep. Of course, aches, pain, and exhaustion are bad enough, but they are not your only danger. Sustained lack of sleep is a real threat to good health. You may experience weight gain, raised blood pressure, and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Your immunity may be compromised, which can lead to further illness over time. Disordered sleep can lead to emotional problems as well, such as depression or anxiety.

Find Your Perfect Mattress

If it’s time to get a new mattress, you need to take your sleep style into consideration when making your next purchase. For instance, side sleepers tend to need softer mattresses that do not add strain on pressure points and joints. Stomach sleepers require something firmer, while back sleepers need a combination of both. Do further research by reading through online guides to find which style is best for you. You also want to test different surfaces to be certain that your purchase is something your body actually enjoys. Lie down on a mattress for at least 20 minutes to really feel where it hits your body and how your joints and pressure points feel.

If it’s time to get a new mattress, you need to take your sleep style into consideration when making your next purchase. For instance, side sleepers tend to need softer mattresses that do not add strain on pressure points and joints. Stomach sleepers require something firmer, while back sleepers need a combination of both. Do further research by reading through online guides to find which style is best for you. You also want to test different surfaces to be certain that your purchase is something your body actually enjoys. Lie down on a mattress for at least 20 minutes to really feel where it hits your body and how your joints and pressure points feel.

Mattress Care

To make sure that your mattress lasts a long time and gives you all of the support you need, you need to take proper care of your bed. A good box spring or bed frame is a necessity. Protect your mattress with a good seal, especially a liquid protector to help your bed keep its shape. Use the brush attachment on your vacuum to keep your mattress clean and dust-free. Avoid excessive washing, however, as this may cause deterioration of the cushioning. Don’t just rotate the mattress, but rotate how you sit on it. If you sit on the same spot while getting ready for the day or night, you may end up causing extra wear on that one position.

Mattresses are often framed as investments, and they are — investments in your health. The difference a comfortable mattress can make in how you sleep and feel can be transformative. We spend much of our lives — nearly a third of our days — lying down in our beds. That’s too much time to spend it uncomfortably and not sleeping. If you have been feeling poorly for a while, it may be time to look into getting a new mattress.

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