Common Mattress Problems That Can Keep You Awake

Sleep is essential for feeling well, yet many of us struggle to get enough shuteye on mattresses that don’t provide the comfort and support we need. 

An uncomfortable mattress that lacks support in critical areas or retains heat can cause discomfort and restlessness throughout the night. Quite literally, your mattress can make or break the quality of your sleep.

Fortunately, many common mattress problems are easy to identify and fix. We’ll drill into these below with tips to resolve your issues.

Too firm or soft

One of the most significant contributors to poor sleep quality is a mattress that’s either too firm or soft. Your mattress should conform to your body’s natural curves while supporting your spine in a neutral alignment.

A too-firm mattress pushes against the shoulders, hips, and other pressure points, which can cause discomfort, numbness, and a frequent need to change positions. On a too-soft mattress, your body sinks in deeply, and the spine bends downward unnaturally, straining your lower back and muscles overnight.

The best way to determine if your mattress firmness is right for you is to lie on it in your usual sleeping position, focusing on proper spinal alignment. If there are gaps between you and the mattress, it’s likely too firm. Excessive sinking indicates it’s too plush.

Pictured: Diagram of correct spine alignment when laying down on a mattress.

Lack of edge support

Quality mattresses are designed to provide edge support, which reinforces the mattress perimeter to prevent sagging. Without it, the usable sleep surface gets smaller as the edges collapse, which can be especially problematic for couples and side sleepers who need that extra sleep space.

You can check for adequate edge support by sitting on the side of the mattress to see if it compresses significantly under your body weight. Soft edges that make you feel like you might fall off indicate insufficient edge support.

Roll together.  

No one wants to be pushed to the edge of the bed every night, but that’s what can happen when a mattress is too soft, allowing two sleepers to roll together uncomfortably.

Roll together arises most with old open coil and all-foam mattresses that have lost their structural integrity. The simple solution is to choose a firmer, more supportive mattress ideally suited to your body weight to prevent sagging.

Pictured: Silentnight Mirastar Comfort 4FT 6 Double Mattress, Available from Bedstar (Priced £299)

Squeaks and noises

Few things can disturb restful sleep, like the squeaks, creaks, and noises from an annoying, ageing mattress. Squeaks are usually caused by loose or broken open coils in older mattresses, although if you have a sprung bed platform, it’s worth checking that, too.  

Since these noisy problems worsen over time, investing in a new, high-quality mattress is the only permanent solution. Advanced mattress technologies like pocket springs, hybrid and memory gel mattresses are more durable.

Poor temperature regulation

Sleeping hot is one of the top complaints among mattress owners, and temperature regulation is vital for a rejuvenating night’s sleep. When a mattress retains heat, it can mean night sweats and restless slumber.

Pure foam and low-quality memory foam mattresses trap body heat the most and lack breathability without a vented edge. Innerspring and hybrid mattresses promote airflow and sleep cooler. Additional cooling features like gel infusions, ventilation and breathable covers also aid temperature regulation.

Summing up 

• A too-firm mattress can create pressure points, while a too-soft mattress allows improper spinal alignment. Test your mattress by lying on it and checking for gaps or sagging.
• Quality mattresses have reinforced edges to maximise sleep surface. Check for edge collapse by sitting on the sides.
• Excessively soft mattresses allow sleep partners to roll together uncomfortably. A firmer mattress prevents sagging between sleepers.
• Squeaks from old coils and noise disturb sleep. Newer mattress technologies like foam and hybrid are quieter.
• Foam and low-quality mattresses tend to trap heat. Innerspring, hybrid, gel, and ventilated mattresses sleep cooler.

While an uncomfortable mattress can lead to disrupted sleep and daytime grogginess, the right mattress optimises your sleep environment.

Prioritise features like balance of firmness and softness for your body type and sleeping style. Supportive construction and quality materials are also crucial for a lasting mattress.

 

 

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