Do you wake up with back pain and sore muscles? Have you noticed that you are running on low energy level recently? Are you having problems falling asleep right away? All these signs will make you think that there is something wrong with your body, hormones or even, your emotions and mental state.
Before you Google your symptoms like crazy, there is one source that you may want to look at first – your mattress.
Since they are a bit pricey, most people think that their mattresses can last forever and that is why they tend to sleep on a bad (due to poor mattress choice) or worn out (because of the bed’s old age).
You will be surprised to know that the quality of your mattress can impact your health negatively. That is why it is crucial for you to determine the symptoms of a bad or old mattress and we will tackle that in this article.
Oh, and in addition to that, I will be sharing with you one secret hack on how to make your lousy mattress become better and old mattress to be brand new. Read on and find out!
The Signs and Symptoms of Bad or Old Mattress to Watch Out For!
What should you do once you have determined that the mattress that you are using is already too old or may not be right for you? The most obvious answer is to replace it right away. But what if you do not have the money to buy a new one? The best and most cost-effective solution to that is to buy a mattress.
Below you can find the symptoms of a bad or old mattress and few ways on how a mattress topper can help.
• You wake up with a stuffy nose.
If you have been sleeping on your mattress for decades, there is a high chance that dust mites are also in your bed sleeping with you. Dust mites are small insects that can cause allergic reactions including watery eyes, itchy throat, and mouth, runny nose, and sneezing.
If there is dust in your house, there is most probably dust mites too so if you usually wake up with these symptoms, it Is most likely because of your mattress. You can reduce these symptoms by taking good care of your mattress—washing your pillowcases and bedsheets at least once a week and vacuuming your mattress from time to time.
If you are prone to allergies, it is recommended that you go for an allergen-blocking mattress.
How a Mattress Topper Can Help:
But no matter how much you wash or vacuum your mattress, dust mites may still accumulate on it, especially if you have been using it for decades. If you do not have enough money to buy a new mattress, investing in a mattress topper is a great idea.
A mattress topper can create a barrier between you and the dust mites in your mattress without altering the texture and feel of your bed. A study conducted in 2010 discovered that the use of a mattress topper could decrease the symptoms related to dust mites by 43%.
• You have low libido.
Are you too tired to have sex with your partner lately? Or maybe you do not have the sex drive to become intimate with your partner? You may think that this is because something I wrong with your relationship when in fact, there might be something wrong with your mattress.
Low libido is often associated with a lack of quality sleep which may be due to the poor texture or firmness of your sleeping mattress that may be brought about by wear and tear.
Besides, using a mattress that is non-breathable and has temperature regulating features can lead to sleep disturbances and night sweats—two more things that may also cause low libido.
You can address this issue by adjusting the thermostat in your room and set it to between 60 and 67 degrees—a temperature that is conducive for a good night’s sleep.
How a Mattress Topper Can Help:
But if you want to increase your libido and boost your sex drive for the long run, the best thing that you can do is to use a mattress topper with a breathable cotton fabric at its surface. Cotton is a type of cloth that can promote proper airflow at night and keeps the user feeling cold while he sleeps.
• You suffer from back pain and muscle soreness.
If you find yourself suffering from chronic back pain and muscle soreness, you may want to pay more attention to your mattress. A good mattress should be firm enough to provide you the back support needed to keep your spine in proper alignment. But as the years go by, cushions get less and less firm.
If the mattress is still doing its job, you should not feel any of these unwanted symptoms. But if it is already not firm enough and certain parts are already sagging, it is about time that you replace it.
How a Mattress Topper Can Help:
But for those who only have a tight budget, a mattress topper for back pain may be what you need. A mattress topper designed to add firmness and support to the mattress can solve all these issues at a much lower price.
When choosing the best mattress topper for back pain, it is recommended that you get one that uses body-conforming and supportive materials like memory foam, latex, and buckwheat. Among these three, memory foam is the most supportive. However, it can also get a bit expensive.
For other ways on how to maintain proper spinal alignment, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLSqzuK-SHc
• You are having problems falling asleep.
Does it take your hours before you can get to sleep? Do you keep on tossing and turning at night? If you are, it is most likely that you are also suffering from lack of quality sleep which will eventually lead to a lot of health issues.
You may be blaming your inability to fall asleep on a lot of things—the use of your smartphone at night, your long to-do list, all the debts you have to pay and many more. But did you stop to take a look at your mattress?
If your mattress is too firm, it may prevent you from finding the right sleeping position and falling asleep right away.
How a Mattress Topper Can Help:
These days, you can find mattress toppers designed to add softness to the mattress’ sleeping surface. These mattress toppers are made from bamboo fibers or rayon fabric that are known for delivering a more comfortable sleeping space to the user.
However, you should keep in mind that the right firmness and softness of the mattress may vary depending on the personal preference of the user. Because of this, it is recommended that you test out the mattress topper first. This is also one tip that you should keep in mind when buying a mattress to prevent expensive mistakes.
• The movements of your partner keep you awake at night.
Were you still single when you buy your old mattress? If you are now married or have recently acquired a co-sleeper, you are most probably suffering from lack of sleep. This tends to happen because of all the tossing and turning that you co-sleeper does all night.
How a Mattress Topper Can Help:
Would it be possible for you to replace your partner or can you sleep on separate beds? I thought not. If that’s the case, the only solution that you can try is to invest in a mattress topper that has motion isolation features.
These foam toppers are designed to absorb the motion caused by the movements of the other sleeper beside you. Because of this, you won’t feel a thing even if your partner shifts his position or gets in or out of your bed.
To know how to test the motion isolation feature of the mattress, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osak0XJPo3w
• You become forgetful.
Do you find it hard to remember important details? Do you always forget to pay the bills or do an errand? Do you feel as if your memory has declined rapidly? Well, that can be due to old age, or it may come as a result of lack of sleep.
As you rest, your brain moves information from your short-term memory storage to your long-term memory storage. If you are not able to rest well, this process is hindered and may cause you to forget a lot of important things.
How a Mattress Topper Can Help:
The most common reason why you lack quality sleep is because of uncomfortable sleeping space. A mattress topper can be placed over the mattress to improve its firmness, softness and even level of support.
In Summary
As it turns out, the use of a bad mattress can have significant effects on your health, both mentally, physically and emotionally. The quality of a mattress can affect the quality of your sleep which can lead to the development of various health issues which can ruin your performance and worse, your relationships.
Of course, the easiest way to address these issues and prevent the signs and symptoms that are mentioned above is to invest in a new mattress. But as we all know, not all of us have the money to afford a new mattress. The next best thing that you can do is to buy a mattress topper that can address all these issues without costing you a lot.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.