Since we sleep on our bed day in and day out, year after year, it’s hard to recognize when it has deteriorated to the point it needs to be replaced. A mattress that may seem comfortable enough because your body has adjusted to the changes would seem terrible when compared to a brand-new bed. Unfortunately, comparing our current mattresses to a “test-bed” isn’t something we do often, if ever, so here are a few tips for identifying when it’s time to replace your bed:

• It’s uncomfortable. This is by far the easiest quality to identify, but it also means you’ve waited too long. When you wake up every day stiff, sore, and tired, your mattress is lacking comfort and structural support that soft mattress pads or foam bed toppers can’t remedy. Sleep should be refreshing and invigorating, and if you wake up feeling the opposite, your bed may be to blame.
• It’s old. We may wish it wasn’t so, but mattresses have a life span. Whether it’s a foam bed, waterbed or conventional mattress, they all wear out, and at a certain point, it’s time to replace your bed due to wear and tear and the potential allergens it has collected over the years. A good rule of thumb is to replace your mattress every seven years. Some may last longer depending on use and some may fail sooner, but right around that mark is a good time to start looking into a new bed.
• Allergies. As previously mentioned, mattresses can become a warehouse for potential allergens like dust mites, mold, and mildew. This can detract from your sleep and impact your energy and health during the day. Some materials, like a polyurethane foam mattress or waterbed are better at resisting allergens if taken care of properly, but it’s also important to make sure you aren’t allergic to the materials used in the construction of the mattress itself.