Rest assured, mattresses do not improve with age

If you find yourself sleeping in a bed that's older than your grandchildren, you may be feeling the effects. Aches and pains, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, and a lack of energy may be part of the aging process, but they are also signs that it's time to put that old mattress to rest.

"You don't have to accept a poor night's sleep as a natural part of the aging process," said Nancy Shark, executive director of the Better Sleep Council. "If you want to get the most out of your day, you need to start your day with a good night's sleep."

"Sleep is as important to a healthy lifestyle as diet and exercise, and there are a lot of things you can do to improve your quality of sleep. The most important thing you can do is make sure you have the most comfortable mattress you can find," she said.

Mattresses should be replaced every five to seven years for optimal sleep, Shark said, but many Americans are reluctant to replace their old bed. In fact, 26 percent of Americans are sleeping on a mattress that is past its prime, according to a recent survey by the Better Sleep Council. And seniors may let the problem linger longer than most.

"Seniors may be taking it for granted that trouble sleeping or waking up in the middle of night is part of aging, but mattresses are like anything else — they are going to lose their comfort and support. They are going to wear out. It's amazing what a new mattress can do," Shark said.

Visible signs of wear, lumpy spots and loose springs are good indications that it's time to buy a new bed. Other signs include waking up with pain, stiffness or soreness, or feeling more comfortable while on vacation or when staying with relatives.

"If you are waking up with aches and pains you didn't have before, if you are waking up stiff and sore or if you are just sleeping worse in general, it might be because your mattress isn't working well for you," Shark said. "One good indication that you need a new mattress is if you find you get a better night's sleep somewhere else besides your own bed.

"If you find that you're tired during the day, you're not performing as well as you could be or you're irritable — if you generally feel like you're not getting the rest you need, your mattress could be part of the problem," she said. "It doesn't hurt to just go into a mattress retailer and see what's out there. You could be doing yourself a disservice by not sleeping on something as comfortable as you need."

As with any high-end purchase, selecting a new mattress requires planning and persistence, a point frequently forgotten. According to the Better Sleep Council, consumers spend less time researching and shopping for a mattress than most other big-ticket items. While the average American spends less than an hour in the car during their daily commute and nearly seven hours sleeping, consumers spend considerably more time researching a car than a mattress. Add to that a general uncertainty about what to shop for and it's no wonder so many people are sleeping in bumpy, lumpy beds.

"A mattress is an important investment." Shark said. "You do spend about a third of your life in bed, so you better make sure it's a good place to be."

Selecting a mattress is a personal choice. What works for one person may not work for another. To get the right mattress, the Better Sleep Council recommends an interactive approach.

"You can't test how a mattress is going to feel by sitting on the bed," Shark said.

You need to lie down on it in your usual sleeping position and see how it feels to you. The mattress needs to meet your needs for both support and space. Make sure it supports your spine correctly, and make sure it's supporting both the heavier and the lighter parts of your body.

"You should feel cradled and cozy and comfy in your bed," Shark said.