The purchase of a new mattress is important in that you likely intend to keep what you buy for a number of years. Some people consider a mattress furniture rather than a component of bedroom furniture, and as such it represents a serious investment. Depending on what you get, you could spend anywhere from five hundred to over a thousand dollars on where you sleep at night, so not only do you want to get it right the first time, you want your mattress to last! So, how long should a mattress stay on your bed?

Search the Internet for answers, and you will discover that answers range from five to ten years. Of course, one should take into consideration that there really is no pat answer because everybody has a different living and sleeping situation. How long a mattress lasts in your home will largely depend upon a number of factors, including:

1) How often will the mattress be used? If you’re a homebody, assuredly you will use your bed nightly as opposed to somebody who travels often for work. Regular wear and tear will play a role in whether or not you’ll replace the new mattress sooner.

2) What is your body style? If you are overweight, this could shorten the life and usefulness of your mattress. As you grow older, you may require more support for your body as you sleep. Of course, you will change over time, too – if you lose weight you may enjoy improved sleep patterns, but you’ll need to discern for yourself how that has affected your mattress.

3) Where will the bed sit? Your room helps determine the usefulness of your mattress, too. Temperature, the sturdiness of the frame, whether or not you use a mattress topper and how often you move the mattress are a few things to consider.

4) What is the mattress made of? A traditional coil mattress will have a lifespan different than that of a memory foam mattress and an organic latex mattress. Some answer Web sites claim that a cheaper version of the memory foam model may only last a few years because they have a greater propensity toward sagging as opposed to a mattress with a latex core. Remember, you do get what you pay for in bed furniture.

In short, a mattress can last several years provided it is cared for and your take care of yourself. As you sleep, watch for noticeable changes in the way it feels when you lie down, and you’ll be able to tell when it’s time to get up and look for a new mattress.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on organic latex mattresses and organic latex pillows.

Thanks to the growth of social media, we probably have learned more about our friends and family in one week than we have in our entire lives. Every mundane feeling and announcement is relayed in short status updates, and inevitably somebody will comment on the lousy night of sleep he endured. The upside to social media is that you have the immediate opportunity to suggest that maybe his nighttime habits – which can contribute to sleep deprivation – are not the whole problem. You can recommend a change of mattress, because the right mattress can make all the difference when you want to sleep well.

What’s so great about the perfect mattress for support of your body? In order to experience a restful sleep, one’s body must be at rest, correct? When you sleep, your comfort plays an important role in determining how quickly and how deeply you sleep. Hours spent shifting intermittently for an ideal position in bed leads to a restless night, and consequently you are tired during the day and unable to concentrate. This pattern stands to do serious damage in the long run, because restorative sleep is needed not only to recharge your energy, but help maintain weight and mental sharpness.

The right mattress makes all the difference in how you sleep. Most people look into components like memory foam thinking the material is firm yet soft enough to encourage a body to relax. While memory mattresses have enjoyed a boost in popularity as opposed to the traditional coil models which seem harder, one must consider other factors that come into play. What else is inside that mattress that could cause problems? You may not be aware of the different preservatives and chemicals used to treat the surfaces so they remain stain resistant. As you sleep, these chemicals are inhaled or absorbed, perhaps causing you irritation.

If you are eco-minded and have sought to green your home to save money and energy, you may wish to consider an organic mattress made with natural materials. Organic cotton, latex rubber, and wool for batting are just some of the thing you will want to look for when shopping. On paper they may not sound like much, but once you test an organic mattress for comfort you may definitely think differently. Latex rubber does not have the texture or “bounce” one expects with regular rubber – the core of such a mattress provides support where it is needed – for your back and neck and legs. The less they shift in sleep, the better the chance for a productive day in the morning.

Regardless of what type of mattress you buy, make sure you find the right one for you.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on sleep health tips and latex mattresses.