Does sleeping on an old or used mattress have any side effects? The short answer is yes, sleeping on an old or used mattress does indeed have side effects. More than just making you feel dull and listless in the mornings, a mattress that is old or worn out can severely damage your health. How much is the life expectancy of an online mattress? When should one change their mattress? A high-quality mattress can last you almost a decade, depending on how much you care for it. When it comes to a ballpark figure for when you should replace your mattress, it is suggested that you do so after every 8 years. Old or used mattresses have a variety of side-effects. The major ones are listed below:
1. Aches and Pains
Aches and pains are often considered a part of life because we believe that “it is what it is” and that there is nothing that we can do about feeling uncomfortable right after we wake up. This should not be the case. You should feel fresh and ready to take on the day from the moment your feet hit the floor. An old or used mattress loses its quality because of its many layers gradually deteriorating. After being used for eight hours a night for almost a decade, any mattress is bound to become uncomfortable, hence, leading to aches and pains in the body.2. Uneven Spinal Support
Due to pressure being applied to a mattress over time, the materials in it tend to sag. With sagging comes uneven spinal support. This may cause your neck and back to feel heavy. When it comes to looking for signs to change your mattress, you should buy yourself a new one if you notice that your body has made permanent indentations on your old mattress.3. Heat Retention
Depending on the type of mattress you have and how often you use it, heat retention is a clear indicator of your mattress wearing down. A surface that is too warm does not make for acquiring good sleep. Nobody wants to wake up in a pool of sweat. Therefore, it is sensible to change your mattress if you feel that the cooling layers of gel inside your mattress have given way.4. Germ-accumulation
Any mattress, no matter how clean it has been kept, will have allergens accumulate in it over time. Germs are notorious for being hard to kill, especially if they reside beneath layers and layers of mattress foam. Restricted airflow leads to mold and mildew building up inside the old mattress, and no matter how many washable mattress-protectors you use, your old mattress will eventually need to be changed due to the multiplication of germs underneath its surface.5. Increased Stress Levels
Have you ever been relaxed after sleeping uncomfortably? Probably not. A good night’s sleep is essential in lowering stress. It helps you feel positive and happy. Cortisol levels in the body reduce after consistent sleep.6. Snoring
ZZZZZZZ! Loud and clear, isn't it? A sagging mattress that does not support your neck and back can lead to tension building up inside your airways. This, in turn, leads to snoring. If you are sharing a room with someone, a snoring habit that develops because of an old mattress does not seem like a good idea.7. Weight Gain
Did you know that sleep-deprivation may lead to binge-eating? If you give it some thought, you may be able to connect your eating habits to how much sleep you are getting. A mattress that is new and comfortable may actually help in reducing your calorie-intake.8. Low Immunity
In these trying times, when everyone is focusing on building their immunity, it would be a shame to lose yours over bad sleep. Your body heals when you sleep well, and if you don’t, you could risk lowering your immunity. An old or uncomfortable mattress should not be the reason why you have the sniffles.9. Memory Issues
Lack of sleep can often lead to forgetfulness. Sleep exists not just for the body, but also for the mind. The brain logs permanent memories while you are in REM sleep. Unless you sleep well, you cannot enter the period of REM sleep. This is why a comfortable mattress is essential.10. Premature Aging
A sturdy, comfortable mattress can help reduce premature aging. If you wish to age slower, not have dark circles or puffy eyes, consider investing in a new mattress so that you may sleep better. Now that we have the side-effects of old or used mattresses covered, you may be asking yourself how you can prolong the life of your mattress in general. Take the following steps to ensure the longevity of your mattress:- Do not allow children (or even adults) to jump on the bed. This is not good for either your mattress, or your bed.
- Remember to rotate your mattress every 8 weeks in order to keep it from sagging unevenly.
- Purchase a high quality mattress cover. Don’t forget to use it!
