{"id":3397,"date":"2019-09-17T19:21:41","date_gmt":"2019-09-17T19:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/?p=3397"},"modified":"2024-02-13T15:12:08","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T15:12:08","slug":"the-right-time-to-find-a-new-mattress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/blog\/the-right-time-to-find-a-new-mattress\/","title":{"rendered":"The Right Time to Find a New Mattress"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Know<\/p>\n

There is no expiration date for your bed. It\u2019s not going to suddenly become useless one day like a shattered dish or a dead car battery. Mattresses<\/a> wear down gradually over time \u2013\u00a0so slowly that you might not realize when they\u2019re past their prime. One question to ask yourself is, when is the right time to find a new mattress? Here are a few things to consider.<\/p>\n

A New Mattress Can Mean a Whole New You<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re doing your best<\/a> to get the recommended 8 hours of sleep each night but can\u2019t seem to get the rest you need, you might be a prime candidate for a mattress upgrade.<\/p>\n

A 2009 Oklahoma State University experiment found that switching to a new mattress from one that was 5+ years old immediately improved sleep quality and reduced minor back discomfort. It gets better. They also found that sleep quality continued to improve in the four weeks following the switch.<\/p>\n

Most of Us Wait Three Years Too Long (or more)<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

While there is no hard and fast rule about how long a mattress lasts, it\u2019s suggested that most have a life span of around 7 years<\/a>. But our research finds that people tend to consistently keep their mattresses for 10 years on average. That\u2019s 730+ nights dealing with a worn-out sleep system.<\/p>\n

Can you even remember what year it was when you bought your current mattress? Like in so many aspects of life, time goes by so quickly. You\u2019ve probably been sleeping on the same mattress a lot longer than you think.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re Not So Young Anymore, Either<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s not just the age of your mattress that matters. Around the time we hit the big 4-0, our bodies become more sensitive to pressure. That means sleeping on a lumpy, bumpy or sagging mattress when you\u2019re older is more likely to lead to tossing and turning throughout the night. In other words, you might need to consider the state of your mattress more frequently as you age.<\/p>\n

(BTW: Age isn\u2019t the only barometer you should consider. Think about other changes that happen to you over time, like weight gain\/loss or physical health issues, that can change your mattress needs.)<\/p>\n

How to Tell Your Mattress Has Gone Too Many Miles<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Think of your old mattress like a well-worn running shoe. It probably feels good when you put the shoe on because, over time, it has stretched and molded to perfectly fit your foot. But the cushioning is compressed from repeated use. It doesn\u2019t offer all the support it once had. The material is worn in certain places. Plus, it\u2019s been soaked in sweat over and over again. All the same things happen to your mattress.<\/p>\n

Signs like these can tell you you\u2019re ready for a mattress upgrade:<\/p>\n