There’s been plenty of research indicating how beneficial a new mattress can be to your sleep. The particular study that is referenced in this article comes from Oklahoma State University. The study showcased that there are major benefits that derive from getting a new mattress. The study had 59 healthy adults participating. Every adult in the study had been previously sleeping on a mattress that was a minimum of 5 years old. However, the average mattress age for all participants in the study sat at 9 and a half years old. Before switching mattresses, the participants of the study experienced a lot of discomfort sleeping on their older mattresses. As soon as they made the switch to a new mattress, there was a noticeable 48% improvement in back pain and as much as a 55% increase in the overall quality of sleep.
What Does This Mean To New Mattress Shoppers?
You might be wondering what this means to someone seeking a new mattress. For one, if you aren’t waking up feeling rested, you might want to take a close look at your current mattress. If you find yourself constantly tossing and turning at night, your mattress could very well be the culprit. Another good thing to consider is whether or not you sleep better away from your bed at home. For instance, do you sleep better when you travel? It very well may be your mattress causing your sleep disturbances.
The majority of experts and industry groups recommend looking at replacing your mattress anywhere from every 6 to 10 years depending on what type you have. However, a lot of people end up delaying their replacement for much longer than that. Some might do so because they don’t want to spend the money on a new mattress and others might not want to deal with the hassle associated with replacing it. A lot of people assume their mattresses are going to last as long as their warranty indicates which could be anywhere from 10 to 25 years for some brands. Unfortunately, this is never the case. The warranty for the bed is only meant to cover the materials and craftsmanship. It’s not meant to cover normal wear and tear. The wear and tear from years of use are going to result in the mattress failing at some point. While your mattress may seem to have life in it, a closer examination might say otherwise. If your mattress is uneven, lumpy, or not supporting you properly at night – it likely needs to be replaced. It could be time to replace your mattress if you are constantly waking up unrefreshed or with aches and pains. These aches and pains shouldn’t be brushed off as the consequences of aging.
The study referenced above by OSU showcased that people can end up experiencing major improvements in the quality of their sleep and pain reduction by simply replacing their older mattresses with new ones when needed. The study had participants with beds that were an average of 9.5 years old. This is longer than the recommended and expected lifespan of the majority of mattresses in the marketplace. Here is a good guide for how long your mattress is expected to last.
– An Innerspring Mattress – 6 years
– A Memory Foam Mattress (low density) – 4 years
– A Memory Foam Mattress (medium or high density) – 10 years
– A Latex Mattress (100% latex) – 10 years
– A Latex Mattress (Latex/Foam hybrid) – 6 years
– A Waterbed Mattress (8 years)
Newer Mattress Options
Once you’ve established that it’s time to replace your mattress, you’ll want to do some digging when selecting a top quality foam mattress. It’s time to figure out what mattress type would be best to replace your current mattress with. you’ll want to begin evaluating your options. Start by figuring out what your personal preferences are and go from there. You won’t be able to identify the right mattress type without looking at your sleeping preferences and more. An innerspring mattress is the most popular mattress type primarily for its affordability and versatility. With that being said, both memory foam and latex alternatives are becoming more and more popular. They deliver different sleeping experiences so it’s best to try different mattresses out when choosing.
A lot of brands and manufacturers are mixing and matching some of the materials out there to create better hybrid options. You’ll also find beds with adjustable bases which help you manipulate the angle of the mattress. This could be a good option if you have sleeping disorders like sleep apnea. You’ll want to research your options online to figure out what would be the best mattress type for yourself.
Buying a mattress might seem like a decision you can keep putting off. Unfortunately, it’s not as the above study indicates. A brand-new mattress can deliver you a lot of much-needed benefits. It’s a good way to get better quality sleep and experience numerous health benefits that can improve your quality of life. There’s plenty of information out there to help you identify the right mattress to get. If you are no longer getting the kind of quality sleep you once did out of your old mattress, it could be time to buy a new one. Getting a new mattress can help you get the restorative sleep you deserve.
