A good quality of sleep is paramount to leading a healthy, balanced life. After all, how can you expect yourself to be productive at work, crush your gym workout, maintain positive relationships or, most importantly, look after your mental and physical health if you’re not getting enough Zs?
While investing in a new mattress might seem like an additional expense you do not need, an old mattress that has collected dust and is causing discomfort presents far more issues than just interrupted sleep. From chronic back pain to allergies, you simply cannot put a price on your health and well-being. If you’re unsure what to do with your old mattress, this blog will inform you of the various issues an old mattress can cause. But first, let’s take a look at signs that your old mattress needs replacing.
Old mattress issues to look out for
Many of us may be uncertain of whether or not our old mattress needs replacement. After all, there’s no specific lifespan for a mattress. With the proper care and management, a mattress can last up to a decade! That said, most mattress companies recommend changing your mattress every eight or so years. If you’re in your 40s or older, changing your mattress every five to seven years is recommended since your body will tolerate less pressure during sleep.
Here are a few tips to increase the lifespan of your mattress to promote a good night’s sleep:
- Rotate your mattress — Over time, mattresses can become lumpy and uneven. This is due to the natural settling of the materials inside the mattress. To prevent your mattress from lumping, rotate your mattress every few months to maintain its shape.
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Avoid jumping on the mattress — If you have any little ones, don’t let them jump on the mattress, particularly with innerspring mattresses, since it will cause the springs to weaken.
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Clean your mattress — Regularly vacuuming your mattress will prevent dust and debris from accumulating and triggering allergic reactions. A mattress protector is a great way to keep your mattress clean and free from stains. You can take it a step further by hiring a cleaning company to professionally clean your mattress around once a year, along with any carpets or upholstery.
Seven reasons why sleeping on an old mattress is bad for your health
If you’re still on the fence about replacing an old mattress, here are seven reasons why sleeping on an old mattress is detrimental to your health and wellness:
1. Increased stress
Throughout our lives, we’ll encounter many situations that can cause us stress, whether it’s studying for an upcoming exam, managing a busy workload or maintaining important relationships. The last thing we need to add to that list is an old mattress that’s causing you even more stress. The back pain you can get by sleeping on an old, uncomfortable mattress contributes to poor sleep and irritability — raising cortisol levels (stress hormones) in your body.
2. Trigger your allergies
Old mattresses are ridden with bed bugs and dust mites that eat the dead skin cells your body sheds during sleep. The presence of dust mites can cause many health-related issues, from skin problems like eczema to respiratory conditions, as they damage your lungs and cause a sore throat. Dust mites irritate your airways, increasing your chances of snoring and making breathing difficult during sleep.
By regularly washing your bed sheets in hot water where possible or purchasing “allergy-proof” sleep covers, you can better prevent allergies during your sleep. Replacing your old mattress every six to eight years will prevent the build-up of dust mites and bed bugs.
3. Back pain
There’s nothing worse than back pain, especially when you want to live a happy, healthy lifestyle and just go about your day pain-free. An old mattress promotes back pain and prevents you from getting a valuable night’s sleep.
4. Unhealthy eating habits
Believe it or not, sleep deprivation caused by an old mattress can increase unhealthy eating habits. A poor-quality mattress is more likely to keep you up at night, making walking to the fridge for a midnight snack far more tempting.
5. Weakened immune system
Being well rested is essential to strengthening your immune system and, therefore, your immune response to the threat of colds or other more severe illnesses. An old mattress will reduce your sleep quality and weaken your immune response to the threat of illnesses.
6. Heart-related issues
Numerous studies have shown that people who suffer from a lack of quality sleep have a much higher chance of developing a heart condition compared to those who sleep well.
7. Your memory can suffer
Have you ever woken up in the morning after getting what seemed like sufficient hours of sleep but still felt tired or restless? While seven to eight hours of sleep is recommended for adults, simply getting enough sleep is not enough for good quality sleep.
If you start suffering from poor memory, it could indicate poor sleep quality due to an old mattress. Only during deep sleep, known as REM, is when memories are formed. If you can’t enter this stage of deep sleep, your brain will not form your memories right away, leading to memory impairment.
Upgrade your mattress at Pillow & Pillow Science today
If you’re tired of dealing with your old mattress issues and are ready to maximise your sleep, Mattress & Pillow Science is here to help. We work with customers to help them find the perfect mattress to suit their needs. We have mattress sizes for the whole family, from King to Queen, Double, King-Single, Long Single, and Single, and a range of Kids and Teen mattresses to choose from.
Explore our Mattresses By Feel to find the perfect type of mattress for you, from firm to medium or plush. Our mattresses cater to all requirements. If you suffer from back pain, a memory foam, latex, or innerspring mattress will provide the ultimate pressure relief. To prevent night sweats and ensure a comfortable night’s sleep, explore our range of gel mattresses.
We offer quick Australia-wide delivery with a same-day dispatch on most of our products. Enjoy our low-rate shipping or free shipping for purchases over $150!
At Mattress & Pillow Science, we’ve partnered with Australia’s most reputable mattress brands to provide our customers with the best sleeping solutions. From A.H. Beard’s pocket spring mattresses that provide pressure relief and prevent partner disturbance to Sleepmaker’s breathable mattresses, Comfort Sleep’s long-lasting pocket spring and memory foam mattresses, Therapedic Bedding’s eco-friendly range or Transforma’s mattresses that change with your needs, we have it all under one roof.
If you’re unsure which pillow is right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team, who would be more than happy to assist.
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