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Ever wonder whether your mattress is on its last legs? Or could it be that you are unknowingly sleeping on a bad bed? Aside from the very obvious sign that it’s falling apart at the seams (which in that case, throw it out NOW), there are some not so very obvious signs that may mean it might be time to give your mattress the boot. Below is a comprehensive list of symptoms and signs of a bad mattress.
Signs and symptoms of a bad mattress
Bad mattress symptoms can vary and quite a few symptoms can be sneaky – on the outside it may seem as though your mattress looks like the perfect mattress but your own body can be like a human gauge that will let you know that it’s time to start looking for a new mattress. STAT.
1. You can’t fall asleep
Quality sleep is tantamount to a healthy mind and body. Poor sleep quality can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. This has been proven by science time and time again. We all need proper sleep and by that I mean, deep sleep in order to fully rest and recover. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to the following:
- Chronic pain
- Mood swings
- Dull skin
- High blood pressure
- Respiratory issues
- Weak immune system
- Poor mental health
- Skin rashes
- Stuffy nose
And these are just the main ones. All these can trickle into serious issues that can turn long term real quick and it’s all because you can no longer get a good night’s sleep. Sleep science has proven this. The average person needs 6-8 hours of sleep nightly in order to maintain a healthy day-to-day life.
If you find yourself strangely sleep deprived and unable to get a full night’s sleep, take a long hard look at your mattress. Chances are it might be way past its prime or unable to provide adequate support for your body weight and sleeping position, which in turn can affect your sleep habits and sleep cycle immensely.
2. Your mattress is over 10 years old
The average lifespan of a good quality, supportive mattress is 8-10 years, give or take one or two years.
Traditional innerspring mattresses are usually the first ones to give out, mainly due to the fact the springs break down in time. A memory foam mattress can last a little longer than traditional innersprings. A mattress that is made up of a blend of foam and pocketed springs (hybrids) can last even longer, especially ones that are made today. But the real G when it comes to mattress age is the latex mattress. Mattresses made from natural latex can last from 15-25 years and yes, I know they don’t come cheap but we all know by now that mattresses are an investment.
If you try to pinch pennies when it comes to where you lay your head night in and night out, remember this: a poor quality mattress will never give you good quality sleep. That said, everything has an expiration date and when your mattress is way past its warranty, then it’s high time for a replacement.
And don’t even try to draw your old mattress’ lifespan out by adding mattress toppers: a mattress that’s over 10 years old already has its own ecosystem made up of dust mites, pet dander, dead skin cells and other critters that’s absolutely NSFL.
3. You feel tired when you wake up
If you wake up feeling inexplicably tired and you’ve ruled out illness, sleep disturbances, a raging hangover and a noisy sleep environment, then your mattress just might be the culprit.
Sleeping on the wrong mattress type and firmness level for your sleeping position absolutely leads to a poor night’s sleep as well as sore muscles and pressure points.
Mattress firmness is important when it comes to choosing a good mattress and most mattress brands these days offer a wide range of different firmness levels that are suitable for your preferred sleep position. Mattress reviews, like the ones we have here on our site, also provide a mattress firmness scale which can you help you choose a mattress that’s right for you.
4. You have body aches and pains
Barring the fact that you’re 70 years old or above or that you are already suffering from chronic pain, waking up to unexplained body pain can mean you are sleeping on a bad mattress.
Poorly-manufactured mattresses can turn lumpy, creating an uneven sleeping surface. This makes for an uncomfortable mattress to sleep on. As mentioned previously, never skimp on quality when it comes to buying a mattress. Your body will thank you.
5. Your mattress is sagging
A sagging mattress does not a supportive bed make. Although mattress sag can be a result of normal wear and tear throughout the years, premature sagging means you got yourself a bad mattress. A really, really bad one that should probably never have seen the light of day.
A sagging mattress could affect proper spinal alignment and proper spinal alignment is crucial when it comes to mental and physical health.
6. Your mattress is squeaking
If your mattress itself and not your bed frame is squeaking, then boy do you have a problem (also, a creaky bed frame should also probably be looked into immediately). Your mattress has likely begun deteriorating from the inside. This is one glaring sign of a bad mattress.
Another cause for a squeaky mattress is moisture that’s trapped within it, either from spilt liquids, bodily fluids or condensation. All-foam mattresses are notorious for moisture retention, although mattress brands today have found ways to mitigate this by creating proprietary foam that allows better air circulation.
Low quality mattresses deteriorate faster and if you’ve got a mattress that has begun to squeak then it’s definitely time for a new bed. Also, try to avoid eating and drinking in bed and always use a mattress protector.
7. Your mattress is excessively hot
Sleeping hot is one of the main issues for those who have a hard time falling asleep. This is usually caused by either external factors such as room temperature or you’re sleeping on a mattress that retains heat.
Foam mattresses, especially ones made from traditional memory foam, tend to retain heat. Mattress companies have addressed this by creating proprietary memory foam and memory foam alternatives that help do away with heat retention. There are also mattresses without memory foam available.
But if you begin to notice that your mattress has gone excessively hot, it might mean that your mattress was made with mediocre materials like low density memory foam or worse, chemical-laden foam.
Can a bad mattress cause health issues?
A bad mattress can and will most definitely cause health issues, some which could even turn severe in the long term.
All the signs and symptoms of a bad mattress that we’ve mentioned above only lead to one thing: poor sleep.
Not getting enough sleep affects both the immune system and nervous system. With constant sleep deprivation, the immune system starts to fail which then ushers in a whole host of health issues. At this point, your body is basically a viral and bacterial free for all.
Not getting restful sleep can also affect your mental health. Poor sleep quality raises both anxiety and stress levels. You become crabby, tired and cranky. In some instances, people who don’t get enough sleep even get angry quicker. Studies have also shown that not getting enough sleep can worsen the symptoms of pre-existing mental health conditions.
All this can affect the quality of your life.
All this by sleeping on a bad mattress. Take a look at our list of the worst mattress brands to find ones that you should definitely avoid.
How to make an old mattress last longer
Now, you might be saying that your old mattress still has a few good years left. And we get it. Not everyone can get a new mattress at a drop of hat, especially if you plan to buy something that’s of premium quality.
While you’re saving up for that fancy new latex hybrid mattress you’ve been eyeing, here are a few ways to help your current mattress last longer:
- Use a mattress protector – If you haven’t been using one already, you should. Mattress protectors help keep your mattress stain and moisture-free. These should be washed regularly and switched out after a year of use.
- Use a mattress topper – Not only can a mattress topper alter the feel and firmness of your mattress but it can add another layer of protection to your current mattress. There are also specialty mattress toppers that correspond to your needs and preferences.
- No food or drinks in bed – Try to avoid eating and drinking in bed. Food particles can get into your mattress which can attract bugs, dust mites and bacteria. Moisture, as mentioned above, can cause your mattress to break down even faster.
- Clean accidents and spills immediately – If your mattress has a removable and washable cover, wash it straight away. If not, you can spot clean the area with a damp washcloth and gentle detergent.
- Mattress maintenance – Make it a habit whenever you change your sheets to let your mattress air out for a few hours. You can even sprinkle baking soda liberally on top of your bare mattress while you wait; this helps absorb odors and dirt. All you have to do is vacuum it all up when you’re done.
- Rotate your mattress every 6 months – This helps prevent sagging and indentation.
Mattress lifespan
The average lifespan of a mattress, as we’ve mentioned, is 8-10 years. That is, of course, with normal use.
Aberrant use can turn even the sturdiest of mattresses unusable within a few years. This means no jumping on the bed, no food or drinks, regular upkeep and using compatible bases such as a box spring if you have a traditional innerspring mattress.
Like any other furniture in your home, beds should be taken care of in order for you to get as much use from it as possible.
FAQs
Sleeping on a bad mattress can cause a lot of health issues that can range from back and body pain to anxiety and stress. Constant sleep deprivation can even shorten one’s life expectancy.
Sleeping on a bad mattress can certainly cause body aches. Uneven surfaces, lumpiness and sagging can put undue pressure on the body’s pressure points, causing achiness and pain that can even turn chronic in the long run if you keep on sleeping on the same mattress.
You can get muscle pain by sleeping on a bad mattress. Bad mattresses are unable to provide adequate support which you need in order to get a better night’s sleep.
Using a bad mattress can cause anxiety and exacerbate symptoms of pre-existing mental health issues. This is caused by the inability to get a proper night’s sleep.
You can get sick by using an old mattress. Years of constant use has rendered your mattress to become a hotbed for bacteria and dust mites, aside from the fact that it may not anymore be able to give you proper support .
You should replace your mattress every 7-10 years, according to your mattress’ warranty.
A bad mattress is a mattress that is old or poorly made or one that is unable to allow you to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Conclusion
Sleeping on a bad mattress will not get you a good night’s sleep which in turn can affect your sleep health as well as your physical and mental health.
It is important to ensure that you can get enough quality sleep in order to have a more fulfilling (and healthier) daily life.
Investing in a good quality mattresses should be a non-negotiable because the right mattress is the key to getting proper sleep.
Next step: Read our Bear mattress review. If you’re looking for a mattress that won’t show any signs or symptoms of being low-quality, the Bear Elite Hybrid is the one for you. It has a durable support core and is made out of materials that are designed to last for a decade or longer.
Michelline loves nothing more than a cozy bed, with a stack of books at her side. She loves getting lost when she travels, can bake an entire British afternoon tea from scratch, is obsessed with all things analogue and does calligraphy on the side. She currently suffers from mild insomnia and is more than happy to be your guinea pig, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble of finding out what works best for you.
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Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?