7 Ways Your Body is Telling You That You Need a New Bed, According to Medical Professionals

Does it feel like you wake up on the wrong side of the bed each day? Maybe it’s not just one side — but the entire mattress! But how do you know you need a new bed? And do you really need a new one just because you’re not feeling well-rested in the morning?

Here are seven signs your body might be trying to tell you it’s time for a mattress upgrade according to medical professionals, certified sleep specialists, sleep study results, and more.

1. You’re Sore in the Morning

Being sore after a night’s rest is usually the most obvious sign that you need a new mattress. Even though mattresses are designed to last several years, they are not immune to general wear and tear and commonly should be replaced about every eight years. While this timeframe is a general recommendation, it may be time to replace your mattress sooner if you notice signs like a permanent body impression where you normally sleep.

According to the Sleep Foundation, older mattresses have a higher tendency to sag or get too soft in places where you need the most support, like your hips, shoulders, and neck. This type of wear can lead to bodily aches and pains.

Sleeping on a sagging mattress may not allow your spine to align properly during your rest, potentially leaving your neck, shoulders, and back feeling sore and stiff in the morning or even throughout the day. If that sounds familiar, it’s likely time to purchase a new mattress from Rent-A-Center.

2. You Feel More Stressed During the Day

Research has shown that new bedding can help decrease stress throughout the day.

A study from the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine linked back pain and poor sleep to increased stress throughout the day. It also showed that replacing your old mattress can reduce back pain and improve sleep quality, two things that can help decrease stress-related symptoms.

3. Asthma or Allergies Get Worse at Night

A study from the National University of Singapore showed that the highest concentration of dust mites in homes is found in your mattresses. Older mattresses often have high amounts of allergens, bacteria, and mold — about 3,000 colony-forming units (CFUs) of mold per gram of dust, to be exact. That means for every tiny gram of dust in your mattress, there are potentially thousands of mold cells or spores waiting to spread.

So, what does all this mean for you? These allergens, mold CFUs, and bacteria have a high risk of causing asthmatic and allergic symptoms while you sleep, such as sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and nasal congestion. That doesn’t make for a very good night’s rest! A mattress cover or dust cover may help reduce contact with dust mites, allergens, and bacteria, but it may only be a temporary solution. If you’re constantly waking up with bad allergies, triggered asthma, or worse, these may be signs that your mattress needs to be replaced.

4. You Wake Up With Skin Reactions

Mold, allergens, bacteria, and especially dust mites in your mattress can trigger skin reactions, such as itchy bumps and redness. If you consistently wake up with a skin reaction, it may be time to get a new mattress.

5. You or Your Partner Snore Often

Many factors can cause people to snore. And though a bad mattress isn’t necessarily on the top of the list, it can certainly make your snoring worse. The right mattress can help reduce snoring by giving you the support you need during sleep, whether you’re a side sleeper, back sleeper, or you sleep like a starfish — although, for the latter, you may need to upgrade to a bigger bed!

6. You Sweat a Lot at Night

You sleep better when you’re cooler. In fact, your body is designed to lose heat at bedtime to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. But if you’re using an old mattress, you may be retaining a little too much body heat at night.

Years of use can cause materials like memory foam mattresses to soften or become sunken, potentially decreasing air circulation and making it much harder for your body to cool down. All that sweat can get absorbed into your mattress, even if you’re using a mattress protector. And if you’re sleeping on an all-foam mattress, you’re essentially sleeping on a giant sweat sponge. Yuck!

While some types of sheets and bedding can help keep you cool at night, staying at a comfortable temperature can really depend on which type of mattress you own. Some memory foam mattresses may be comfortable and supportive but may not promote good air circulation. Other types, like latex mattresses or Euro tops like the Augusta Euro Top Queen Mattress, include gel memory foam to provide added comfort and help keep you cool.

7. You’re Still Tired in the Morning

Has your old mattress become uncomfortable enough to keep you up at night? If so, it’s no wonder you’re still tired in the morning! A bad mattress can make you feel like an insomniac, or at the very least, leave you tossing and turning to find a better sleep position.

There are many factors that go into getting a good night’s rest. But a quality mattress that provides support, helps you regulate your body temperature, and doesn’t creak every time you roll over can help you fall asleep and stay asleep all night.

Get the Rest You Deserve With Help from Rent-A-Center

You’ve realized you relate to one or more things on this list, and now you’re saying to yourself, “I definitely need a new bed.” But a new bed can be expensive, right? Not with Rent-A-Center!

We stock today’s top mattress brands for rent-to-own, which means you get to take home your new mattress as soon as same–day without breaking the bank! When you’re ready for a well-deserved night of quality sleep, start shopping online or head to your local Rent-A-Center location. Browse mattresses, new bed frames, and even rent-to-own matching bedroom furniture to complete your bedroom’s overall look and feel. Get shopping today!