When to change your mattress? The signs it gives you
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No one knows when they should change their mattress. It doesn't warn you, it doesn't have an expiry date, and you've gotten used to waking up with a bad back, blaming stress, your chair, the weather — everything but the bed.
Unlike you, your mattress doesn't lie about its age. The dip in the middle, the sagging on one side, the wear and tear you pretend not to see: it's all there, revealing every year of good service.
How long does a mattress last?
As a rule, a quality mattress lasts 8 to 10 years. After that, even if it looks intact on the outside, the internal support is no longer the same. Cheaper foams last less — five to seven years — and heat and sweat accelerate this wear. What should last ten years can last half that if it's never aired out and has endured sweaty summers.
The 5 signs it's past its prime
- Dip or sag in the middle. Lie on your back and ask someone to look from the side. If your hips sink lower than your shoulders and knees, your mattress is no longer aligning you.
- You wake up with pains that disappear during the day. Classic sign that the problem is the bed, not the chair.
- You sleep better away from home. If you wake up more rested in a hotel or at someone else's house, your mattress is failing.
- You hear or feel the springs. Squeaks and hard spots mean the internal structure has given way.
- Allergies or congestion in the morning. After years, the mattress accumulates mites and moisture — and you breathe that all night long.
If you mark two or more of these, you've probably passed the expiry date.
What you gain by changing (and how to choose well)
Changing your mattress is not an expense for comfort — it's about regaining spinal alignment for a third of your life. But it only pays off if you choose the right one for your body, otherwise you'll exchange one problem for another.
What I usually ask before recommending:
- Do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach? This determines firmness.
- Do you have lower back pain? In that case, I'd go for firmer support, like Hisui.
- Are you a couple with different weights? A balanced medium like the Takumi usually suits both.
The mattress quiz asks you these questions and suggests a model in 2 minutes. Or check out the complete range of mattresses — there are 9 models, all manufactured in Portugal, with a 10-year warranty and a 100-night home trial.
If you're unsure between two, call me. I'm Ana Cristina, your sleep consultant, and I can sort it out over the phone in 10 minutes.
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