If you’re not sleeping well at night, you’re probably quite interested in the reason why. After all, you need to know the problem before you can fix it. Sure, noisy neighbors or an extra heavy dinner may mess up your night every once in a while, but if you’re sleeping poorly nearly every night, it is very possible that the true problem is your mattress. If you’re experiencing even one of the things mentioned below, it’s time to upgrade your mattress in order to improve your sleep:
#1 - You’re Waking Up Tired
You probably don’t need a scientific study to know that if you’re tired every morning, you’re not sleeping well at night. Even after you’ve got a full seven to eight hours of sleep, you wake up feeling as if you haven’t slept. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve slept two hours, eight hours, or 12 hours- if you’re sleeping on a bad mattress, your body may not be reaching the restful sleep state it needs to in order to wake up energized and ready to go. It all has to do with your sleep cycle. You cycle through several stages, including Deep Sleep and REM. If you’re waking up to roll over and ease your pressure points, you aren’t reaching the end of the cycle and reaping the benefits of a full night of sleep.
#2 - You Don’t Easily Fall Asleep
Maybe there is no question why you’re feeling so lousy. You know you aren’t sleeping well because you are having a hard time falling asleep each night. You lie there, rolling around and shifting positions. If your mattress isn’t supporting your spinal alignment and providing your body with the comfort it needs, falling asleep might become a seemingly impossible feat. The average person falls asleep in about 10 or 20 minutes at night. If you find yourself waiting an hour or more to do so, you may want to take a closer look at your mattress.
#3 - Your Mattress is Over 10 Years Old
Even the best-made mattresses eventually need to be replaced. You lie on your mattress for ⅓ of the day, every single day. Well-made mattresses from top brands are designed to last you at about 10 years but may begin to deteriorate in quality around the seven-year mark. If your mattress is around a decade old, it’s time to shop for a new one. It’s as simple as that!
#4 - Aches and Pains are Making Your Life More Difficult
Proper lumbar support helps support your natural spine curvature in a way that keeps it in the natural "S" curve your back makes. When you’re lying down, you still want your back to maintain the natural “S” curve mentioned above. If you’re sleeping on a poorly-constructed or too-old mattress that lets you sink in too far, your back is instead shaped more like an inverted “C.” It’s easy to see why doing this night after night would lead to poor sleep habits and back pain. Preventing lower back pain requires you to provide support for your back while you are sleeping in the form of a high-quality and supportive new mattress.
The important thing to remember here is that when it comes to sleep needs, one size doesn't fit all. Choose your mattress based on your usual sleep position, comfort preferences, as well as the cause of your back pain. If you assume you need a Firm mattress for lumbar support, you’re not alone, but you are incorrect. In fact, you need a supportive mattress. A supportive mattress doesn’t need to be hard; it just needs to be made in the right way to keep your spine aligned properly. A Plush mattress or Pillow Top mattress can be just as supportive as a more firm option. There is no single mattress style or type that works for all people with low back pain.
Visit your nearest City Mattress location and tell one of our Sleep Experts that you’re experiencing one, two, or all of the issues mentioned above. We know all about health, sleep, and new mattresses. After a few questions we will show you several mattresses that may be right for you. Make today the last day you wake up with a sore lower back and have trouble falling asleep at night!