Getting a good night’s rest is an essential function that allows our bodies and minds to recharge – which leaves us refreshed and alert for the next day ahead. Without this, you can impair your abilities to concentrate, think clearly, and process memories. We have taken the four most frequently asked questions about your bed, back, and mattress care to help you learn the best tips and tricks to get the best sleep you’ve ever had! If you don’t see your question here, give us a shout! We are always looking to help our customers learn more about better sleep.
1.) How often should a mattress be replaced?
Typically, a mattress should be replaced every 7 to 10 years, but there are some factors that influence its longevity. For instance, a cheap $250 mattress will degrade much quicker than a more expensive, luxury-type mattress. Similarly, mattresses made from lower-quality materials and all-foam mattresses tend to have the shortest lifespans, as they are prone to sagging and body impressions. Other factors that play a role in your mattress’ lifespan are maintenance and care, the sleeper’s size and body weight, as well as children and pets. You can also replace your mattress if you see it sagging and damaged in areas; if it’s making more noise than usual, and if you notice an increase in allergies and/or asthma. As sleep is one of the most important aspects of human health, you should replace your mattress if you feel that it is negatively affecting your sleep or find yourself regularly waking up with muscle or joint stiffness.
2.) How often should you rotate your mattress?
In many cases, rotating your mattress can help protect it from premature damage and extend its longevity. As we generally sleep in the same spot every night, our body weight leaves an impression so rotating the mattress gives that spot the ability to recover thus evening out overall wear and prolonging the bed’s lifespan. It can also help keep the spine in a neutral alignment, which is a crucial aspect of getting a good night’s sleep and waking up pain-free. To rotate a mattress, turn it 180 degrees so the portion that was the head of the bed is now the foot of the bed. A general recommendation for how often to rotate the mattress is as follows:
- Memory foam and latex mattresses – rotate 2-4 times per year (once a season is a great general practice)
- Newer innerspring mattresses – rotate 2-4 times per year (also once a season)
- Older innerspring mattresses – rotate 2-5 times per year
Above all though, the best advice is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations – and some may say not to rotate your mattress at all. To keep your mattresses’ warranty in good standing, do as the manufacturer recommends.
3.) Can mattresses cause back pain?
Yes, very much so! Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause, or worsen, lower back pain. Lack of support from a mattress reinforces poor sleeping posture, strains muscles, and does not help keep the spine in alignment, all of which contribute to low back pain.
Back pain can also arrive from your preferred sleeping posture. For example, sleeping on your front twists your neck out of alignment with the rest of the spine. Depending on the firmness of your mattress, your lower abdomen may also sink more deeply than the rest of your spine, uncomfortably stretching your back out of alignment.
Ultimately, the level of support is your personal preference but a mattress should provide both comfort and back support to allow the structures in the spine to really rest and rejuvenate during the night – thus waking up pain without pain.
4.) Which is the best mattress for you?
There is a myriad of choices available when it comes to mattresses, but you can narrow down the search with some basic guidelines. For starters, understand that comfort is subjective – which is why most mattress manufacturers follow a firmness scale from 1-10, where 2 is extra soft and 8-9 is extra-firm. Although not exactly scientific, it does help convey how a mattress feels and who it may be best suited for.
Second, know which position you prefer to sleep in. As an example, stomach sleepers do best with a firm mattress that can keep their spine out of a U-shape and won’t feel suffocating while lying face-down. Whereas a side sleeper might benefit from a softer mattress to contour to the sharp pressure points of the body like shoulders and hips. Read our blog to learn what mattress is best for side sleepers here! Knowing the preferred position to sleep in will help you understand where your body needs more support and whether you should try firmer or softer.
Like sleeping position, body shape and weight can also influence the choice of the best mattress to provide spinal support, comfort, and other important features. A lighter profile might find sufficient contouring with a softer mattress; whereas someone with a heavier profile of more than 230 pounds will sink further into a softer mattress. Therefore, they will require a firmer option to avoid throwing off spinal alignment. People between 130 and 230 pounds can choose a mattress based on the position they prefer to sleep in and typically have comfortable results.
Did you know that there isn’t any other product on the market that affects our health and happiness in a way a mattress does? This is why it is so important to invest in a good quality mattress and help maintain its health and longevity! If you’re not getting a good night’s rest then give us a call at +1 (519)770-0001 or come talk to us at Mattress Miracle! We have sleep experts on hand ready to help you find the mattress that is just right for you.
