You don’t have to be a Certified Sleep Expert to know that a good night’s sleep is extremely important to your overall health. While some may be able to easily sleep through the night in an armchair or on their grandmother’s hand-me-down mattress, doing so every night will eventually “catch up to them.” A quality mattress provides an exemplary amount of both comfort and support, which help to ensure a good night’s sleep.

So how do you know when it’s necessary to invest in a new mattress? You may be sleeping through the night, but at what point does your sleep quality begin to decline? “You should replace your mattress every 8 years,” says Mike Prichard, owner of Midwest Mattress. “Other signs that you may need to replace your mattress is if you wake up with stiffness, numbness, aches or pains. Replace your mattress if you sleep better any place other than your own bed, such as a hotel, guest room, chair, or couch.”

In addition to Mike’s tips, here are several warning signs to be cognizant of when determining the right point to buy a mattress.

First, do a visual test. Does your mattress sag? Does one side seem much lower than the other? Are there noticeable lumps and bumps?

Second, consider the amount of weight that’s being put on the mattress each night. The more weight a mattress has to support, the shorter the lifespan of that mattress. If your mattress tends to support more weight, you may want to perform the visual test more frequently.

Finally, have you been sneezing more frequently? Over time, mattresses collect dust and allergens. This is completely normal. However, when it gets to the point that no amount of vacuuming can ease your sneezing fits, it may be time to consider purchasing a new mattress.

While there is no concrete end to a mattress’s lifespan, the tips above will help you determine when it’s time to invest in a new bed. Don’t forget, a supportive boxspring will also drastically improve your quality of sleep. So when purchasing a new mattress, be sure to budget for a new boxspring as well. If you have any questions about when to purchase a new mattress, feel free to stop by any Midwest Mattress location and speak to one of our Certified Sleep Experts!