6 signs it’s time for a new mattress

The cold season can be a great time to get some extra rest and relaxation—and for many, catch up on some much-needed sleep. But not all time spent resting means quality sleep.

If you’re sleeping more this season but not feeling well-rested, it might mean you need a new 160×200 mattress. Mattresses don’t last forever, and the older they get, the more uncomfortable they can become.

An old, cheap 160×200 mattress or one with the wrong level of firmness for your needs can cause restlessness in your sleep. This can mean poorer sleep quality, which can have a major impact on your health, work and relationships.

A quality mattress should support your ability to get a restful sleep and feel rejuvenated in the morning. If you’re trying to evaluate whether a new 160×200 mattress can help improve your sleep quality, there are a few things you can look for.

Sign no. 1: It’s been a long time

The average lifespan of a mattress is 7 to 10 years. After this period, the mattress support – whether it is made of springs, memory foam, gel or a combination – loses its support capacity.

Cheaper mattresses that are made from lower quality materials can wear out faster. If you can’t remember when you bought your mattress, or if you notice that it no longer provides the support it used to, this is an indicator that it’s time to make a change.

Sign No. 2: There is a bump or an uneven sleeping surface

Another thing to look for is the unevenness of the mattress. It is normal for mattresses to develop a dent over time when you sleep in the same place and position. Pressure in some places more than others can lead to sagging and an uneven sleeping surface.

An uneven 160×200 mattress does not distribute the weight evenly, and this can cause problems for the back and spine. When changing your sheets, take a look at the mattress and see if it looks even and flat across the surface.

Sign #3: You wake up feeling exhausted

If you wake up exhausted and grumpy, you should look forward to buying a new 160×200 mattress. People often associate unbalanced sleep with diet, but it may be due to restlessness all night if everything is fine.

The fact that you wake up everyday feeling exhausted rather than rested proves that your body needs more comfortable support to feel energized and fresh the next day.

Sign #4: You can hear squeaks from your mattress.

When the springs wear out, they can make creaking sounds with minor movements, such as rolling over at night. If your mattress is making new noises, it’s likely that the springs are broken or failing. Loud noises can disrupt your sleep and indicate that it’s time to seek improvement.

Sign #5: Your muscles ache when you wake up

Muscles can tighten in response to an uncomfortable or unsupportive mattress. If you repeatedly wake up with pain that you didn’t have the night before, your mattress may be due for replacement.

Sometimes even a new mattress can cause pain if it doesn’t have the right firmness for your body’s needs. Different people respond well to plush mattresses, while others need a firm 160×200 mattress for a good night’s sleep. See if you can test different types of mattresses in a store. Many companies allow you to return the mattress for 90 days if you buy it and end up not liking it.

Sign No. 6: You often experience allergy or asthma symptoms

Over time, mattresses collect dust and absorb moisture. If you live in a high-humidity climate or have a room with poor circulation, mold and mildew can grow—even on a crib mattress.

Using a quality mattress protector can help keep these things at bay. But if you already have mold on the mattress itself, it cannot be cleaned or removed completely.

Those who are sensitive to mold or dust might have a reaction after a night’s sleep. If this happens consistently, it’s worth checking the mattress to see if it has stains that could be contributing to allergy or asthma symptoms.