Headaches are common and can stem from multiple causes, but one expert is highlighting a less obvious culprit that might be affecting many people in the UK: their mattress.
Everyone wants a perfect night’s rest, and while preferences vary, Rebecca Swain, a luxury mattress specialist from WinstonsBed.com, suggests that sticking with an old favourite could do more harm than good.
She warns that failing to replace your mattress regularly might not just rob you of sleep but also trigger persistent headaches among other health problems.
The advice on offer?
Refresh your mattress every six to eight years, although there are critical tell-tale signs showing it’s time for a change sooner rather than later. Taking note of whether you’re often waking up with a headache could be vital, says Rebecca.
She notes: “We often associate headaches and migraines with stress but if you are experiencing these frequently in the mornings, they could be from poor alignment and support during your sleep.”
Sleeping on an old mattress may not provide necessary body support when it’s most needed, potentially resulting in morning stiffness or pain that persistently greets you as you wake.
Not replacing your mattress can also exacerbate your allergies, as Rebecca cautioned Brits to monitor if they’re worsening in the mornings or when they hit the hay at night.
A surge in allergies can be a significant sign that you’re unwittingly sharing your bed with an accumulation of dust mites and other allergens.
Lastly, among the more mechanical signs that you need a new mattress is if you can sense your partner’s movements and hear the springs beneath you. The expert pointed out: “Mattresses are designed to reduce and absorb motion transfer when one person moves.
“Feeling your partner move in the night more than usual could mean your mattress has lost the ability to do this. In a quality mattress, springs should never be noisy or creaky. If you find your mattress begins to make noises as you move on it then it’s likely that its internal structure is weakening.”