Can a bad mattress cause restless sleep? Yes. Getting a good night’s rest is something most people take for granted. When it comes to falling and staying asleep, your mattress plays a critical role. Consequently, a wrong bed may bring about other serious health problems such as back pain, joint soreness, obesity, etc. With the numerous mattresses available in the market, it can be a challenging task to choose a perfect one. This article will help you choose the appropriate mattress that brings you the perfect sleep you need!
Good sleep promotes physical and mental health, restless sleep leads to irritability and fatigue the next day. Investing in a good-quality mattress is the surest way to get a restful sleep. This article tackles all about sleeping on an uncomfortable bed and its impacts on your health.
Can a Bad Mattress Cause Restless Sleep?
Several studies have proved that sleeping on a bad mattress causes restless sleep and adverse effects on your health. Most people know this fact but are not ready to take the bold step of changing their bed to get a restful sleep.
It’s recommended that an average adult have eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. A good quality mattress should help you get enough sleep. More so, it should support your body well for your muscles to recover while you sleep. On the contrary, a bad unsupportive mattress will substitute your comfort for back pains, weight gain, poor health, etc.
How To Know You Are Sleeping on a Bad Mattress
The cautionary signs of having a lousy mattress are not often obvious. However, if you have any of these symptoms, chances are you are sleeping on a terrible bed mattress. So, what exactly is considered a bad mattress?
A bad mattress is sagged, causes pain, indenting, is noisy, and generally negatively affects the quality of your sleep. Below are some hints to help you know if you are sleeping on a low-quality mattress:
- It takes you longer to fall asleep. While you may link your inability to quickly fall asleep to things like coffee, bedtime smartphone habits, messy room, etc., sometimes it is your lousy mattress causing you discomfort.
- Extreme morning tiredness. If you often wake up feeling exhausted and tired, it means your mattress is not serving you as intended.
- Getting allergies and skin reactions. Some people have susceptible skin that can easily pick an allergy. Check your mattress if you notice some rushes, itchiness, and skin reaction.
- Sagging or arching on the mid-section. If your mattress sags whenever you lay on it, causing your back to arch, you should consider replacing it. You can get a budget mattress for restless sleepers or use a mattress topper.
Side Effects of Sleeping on a Bad Mattress
How do you usually feel when you wake up? Some short-term side effects of sleeping on a bad mattress are often experienced as soon as you get off your bed. However, long-term side effects can take a while to develop.
Here are some of the most commonly experienced side effects of sleeping on a bad mattress:
#1. Back Pain
Back pain is one of the widespread side effects of sleeping on a bad mattress. While most people tend to think wrong sleeping positions cause it, they might be right. However, in most cases, it’s the mattress.
As your mattress ages, it sinks in the mid-section, hence losing its supportive ability. The sunken part forces you to sleep in an awkward position causing a strain on your back. You may not experience the effects immediately, but the irregular sleeping position affects your spine with time, consequently causing frequent back pains.
#2. Obesity
People who often have restless sleep, or don’t get sufficient night sleep, stand a higher chance of becoming obese. Your body metabolism increases while you’re asleep; this is enhanced by burning fats from the food you ate earlier.
If you do not get enough night’s sleep, your body metabolism rate decreases, thus causing less fat burning. If this happens over prolonged periods, you gain more weight and become obese.
#3. Joint Soreness
If you wake up feeling joint soreness, you sleep on a bed mattress. A good quality mattress that does its job as intended should provide your body with sufficient support. Your back should be straight, and use a pillow to raise your head slightly.
We all know mattresses come in different levels of firmness.
Mattress firmness indicates how well it will support your body while you sleep. While some people may prefer a very firm mattress, others love a soft mattress. All in all, it’s about personal preference and which one works best for you.
#4. Drowsiness
Have you ever slept and woke up feeling tired? This is a sign of restless sleep. It’s no surprise that poor sleep will leave you feeling exhausted and tired. If your mattress does not give you a restful sleep, it affects your attentiveness throughout the day.
It is normal to get tired and feel somehow drowsy in the afternoon or late in the evening after a long day, but early morning drowsiness is not usual. You need to check your mattress.
#5. Allergies
Frequent allergies can be a result of sleeping on a bad mattress. If you happen to be suffering from skin irritation, rashes, itchiness, difficulty in breathing, etc., you may be allergic to your mattress. You can change it or use a mattress cover to prevent further reaction.
Other indirect side effects of sleeping on a bad mattress include reduced libido, heart conditions, memory issues, weak immune system, throat and lung irritation, premature aging, etc.
How to Fix a Bad Mattress
You may have a bad mattress but do not have enough money to buy a whole new mattress or bed. That shouldn’t worry you; here are some budget fixes to a bad mattress:
- Pillows – Pillows come in different sizes and are made of other materials. Having the correct pad can save you from body sores. If you usually lay on your back, try putting a pillow beneath your knees to lift and remove the strain from your lower back. If you sleep on your belly, place a pillow around your pelvic area to avert your body from arching.
- Mattress Topper – You can prolong your mattress lifespan by adding a mattress topper. A mattress topper is designed to smooth out the sags and dips on your old mattress and give your body extra cushioning and support.
- Mattress cover – Sometimes, mattresses bring allergies due to the materials used to produce. If you are a person who suffers from allergies, you can use a mattress cover to create a blockade between yourself and the mattress. Some mattress covers have a layer of padding to make them more comfortable.
Conclusion
The key factor of achieving restful sleep has a good quality mattress. Your mattress plays a vital part in your health and mental wellbeing. If you have read through this article, you’re well aware of the consequences of sleeping on a bad mattress. Some may take some time to develop but have adverse effects on your health.
We hope you found this article informative. They say health is wealth; investing in a good mattress might be expensive, but it’s worth the cost. It helps you live a happy and healthier life through a good night’s sleep. Always consult your doctor if you experience persistent pains.
