Humans can live for 2 weeks without food but only 10 days without sleep, which means that sleep deprivation is a quicker killer than starvation. 

When you rest, your body restores itself and prepares for the next day. It will make you aware if you don't get enough through aches and pains, allergic reactions, and other signs.

Using the wrong mattress contorts your body into uncomfortable positions and leaves dust and dirt trapped inside. Having the wrong bedding and pillows adds to this effect and can make you sweat the whole night through.

Read on to learn the many ways that sleeping on the wrong mattress or with the wrong bedding can negatively affect your health and what to do about it.

Signs of a Bad Bed 

Over 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder, the most common of which is insomnia or an inability to fall or stay asleep.

There are a range of causes for this condition, but one of the most underrated is a bad bed. Several hints point to it as the cause of your lack of sleep.

A sagging, lumpy, or uneven mattress is one of the major signs of a bad bed. It's a problem because it can lead to poor support for your spine.

Permanent body indentations are another sign. They indicate that your bed isn't supporting your weight or conforming to your body the way it should.

Trapped stain and odors, mold, bed bugs, dust mites, and triggered allergies are all signs of a sagging mattress and old bedding. 

A mattress's ability to regulate temperature depends on its materials. Coil support cores tend to be cooler while foam mattresses are warmer. Whatever type you have, excessive heat is a sign your mattress is wearing down.

How a Bad Bed Can Negatively Effect Your Health

One of the most obvious effects of a bad bed is the way it can negatively affect your sleep. This alone puts you at an increased risk for a range of conditions, including:

• Heart disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Immune system suppression

Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety contribute to insomnia, but sleep deprivation has its own mental effects such as:

• Mood swings
• Memory loss
• Impaired concentration
• Irritability

At least 80% of the world will experience back pain in their lifetime. It's the most common cause of disability worldwide and a chronic problem for many. Restorative sleep is one of the best ways to combat this problem, but a bad bed makes it impossible.

The wrong mattress can cause or worsen aches and pains. When its comfort layers break down, your body begins to sink into the support core.

The best way to prevent this besides replacing your mattress when it gets old is to look at its firmness level. Most manufacturers measure it on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being the softest.

If your bed is too soft, your torso and hips begin to sink into it. If it's too firm, you won't have enough cushioning and your bed will trigger your body's pressure points, causing you pain. 

The effects of a bad bed extend to your respiratory system. This is especially true if you have allergies or asthma because you'll be extra sensitive to the dust and dust mites it can gather.

A bad bed can also irritate your skin by causing eczema, rashes, wrinkles, and more. Bed bug bites hide in old mattresses, ready to deliver an irritating bite. An excessively hot mattress or bedding causes night sweats.

When to Replace Your Mattress

The average lifespan of a mattress is 7-10 years. The exact amount of time your mattress will last depends on what type it is.

Innerspring mattresses last 8 years, foam mattresses last 10-15 years, hybrid mattresses that combine innerspring and foam last 6-7 years, latex mattresses last 15 years, waterbeds last 7-10 years, and air mattresses last 3-8 years.

Other factors also determine how long your mattress will last. These include how often you use it, your weight, and how well you care for it.

If you want to get a new mattress, there are several considerations to keep in mind first. Determine how flat and firm you want it to be, choose the right type and model, and make sure it provides support where you need it.

How to Fix a Bad Bed

If you're not ready to replace your mattress yet but know it's negatively affecting your health, there are a few things you can do to improve it. 

Try investing in a quality mattress topper. It needs to be sturdy enough to provide support in the sagging areas of your bed. This is only a temporary fix, but it may improve your sleep for at least a few years.

If you don't want to replace the whole mattress, try getting a new comfort layer instead. It's a more affordable solution.

Finding the right mattress is one of the most important factors in getting a good night's sleep, but the bedding you choose is also important. 

Pillows, like mattresses, have a lifespan and offer different levels of thickness and firmness. Getting a new one can help, especially if the pain you experience after sleeping is in your neck and shoulders.

Consider getting a new blanket or comforter. It may be the solution you need to stop frequent night sweats.

Even a slight change in the way you sleep can provide relief. Flipping to your back or side instead of your stomach prevents you from sinking into your bed and experiencing discomfort.

Where to Get a Better Bed

Going to sleep is one of the most important parts of your day. Not getting enough negatively affects your physical and mental health in a variety of ways.

If your mattress is sagging, collecting dust, or leaving you achy when you wake, consider getting a new one. 

If you're not ready to spring for a replacement, try switching out the comfort layer for better support. You can also change your sleeping position or get new bedding.

Nest Bedding has a range of options to help you get the sleep you've been dreaming of. Browse our mattress selection today.