Bed sheet pillows and blanket messed up in the morningAs much as we wish that our mattress can last a lifetime, the truth is, they can succumb to the pressure of our body weight lying on them night after night. We use our mattresses a lot. That’s why nobody knows our mattresses better than we do. So when we feel a burgeoning sag in the middle, it’s pretty noticeable.

It’s noticeable in the quality of sleep you’re getting as a result. And it may also show up in how your body feels in the morning. That sore back or stiff hip you’re feeling? Your sagging mattress could be to blame.

All this to say, none of us deserve to sleep on a sagging mattress. While it’s not necessarily possible to reverse a sag, there are ways to avoid or delay it from happening further. Regardless of how well we tend to our mattresses, their shelf life is 8-10 years anyways. So it’s only a matter of time before it will be time to replace it.

But you can try to save your current mattress’s sag sentence before that time comes. Or know how to all-out prevent it from happening once you do get a new one. Continue reading to learn some simple tips and tricks to prevent your mattress from sagging.

Why a mattress sags

Mattresses start sagging for a few reasons. If you sleep with a partner and particularly, if you cuddle with said partner in the middle of the bed while you sleep, then this might explain the sag.

Another reason could be pets. If you have a big dog that sleeps on your bed during the day, this could also be contributing to that forming mattress dip. And if this is true, consider leaving your bedroom door closed throughout the day.

Sagging is likely to show up if your mattress is made up of memory foam, latex or other cushioning types. These plush mattresses can just start to feel softer the longer they’re used. Either that or the material isn’t just good quality. Some mattress manufacturers cut corners on quality by using low-density foam or inadequate coils.

Always be cautiously optimistic of seemingly good price deals. And remember, even though it might be a lot of cash upfront, you gain back your investment by being able to have quality sleep every night for the next 8-10 years.

Will sagging impact my health?

The short answer—yes. If you brush past a sagging mattress and write it off, then your health and sleep quality will be affected. A sagging mattress could impact your sleep or health in the following ways:

Bodily pain and pressure:

especially in the back, hips, shoulders and necks. If these areas of the body don’t receive good pressure support, you could be in for an uncomfortable night of tossing and turning. Or worse—wake up feeling as though you’ve had no sleep at all.

Reduced clarity and focus:

a sagging mattress means you might not be able to fall asleep or remain asleep as naturally. As a result, you might have difficulties remembering things, solving simple problems and having a clear mind.

Hot sleeping:

particularly if you have a mattress that normally sleeps cool, like innersprings and hybrids, sagging can block the airflow through the coil layers underneath.

Weight gain:

if you’re not getting proper sleep due to a sagging mattress, this could lead to incremental weight gain. Our metabolism slows down when the body doesn’t rest enough and then we end up compensating by eating or drinking more than we need to maintain energy.

Depression:

sagging will impact your sleep which will then impact your mental health. Depression, insomnia and anxiety are just a few long-term impacts of a low-quality mattress. There’s an inextricable link between depression and sleep. Poor sleep can cause it and depression can cause sleep problems. Research has shown that depression is more likely to occur among people with sleep onset and insomnia.

How to prevent your mattress from sagging

Rotate or flip it

This is one of the easiest tricks in the book. Regularly flipping your mattress (ideally every 6 months), can help to keep your weight distributed evenly while giving both sides a break and delaying wear and tear.

Mature couple are setting up their bed in their new home

Add a mattress topper

An easy, quick fix solution to prevent a mattress from sagging is by investing in a mattress topper. And the best part is, it’s not that much of an investment, especially compared to the cost of a new mattress. Mattress toppers are placed on top of the mattress to add another layer of cushioning and thickness. It can help to adjust the firmness, create a more even sleep surface and mask any feelings of sagginess, sinking or lumpiness. Most toppers range from 2 to 5 inches in thickness.

Common topper materials include memory foam, polyfoam, latex and wool. Some toppers also provide air flow cooling properties for hot sleepers.

Use good box springs

So here’s the kicker, sagging might not even be the fault of you or the mattress. It could very well have to do with the box spring foundation underneath. An inadequate, poorly made foundation or frame will definitely contribute to a premature sag. While mattresses do have an expiry date and will slowly wear out, it should still provide support and comfort for many years.

This is where a quality box spring comes in. A proper box spring foundation with at least six legs and one in the centre is important. When you’re purchasing a new mattress, double check the warranty to see if you need a certain foundation to make claims on the mattress down the line. Otherwise, look at your current box spring and notice if it looks uneven, worn, broken or lacks support, especially in the center. Consider purchasing a solid and upgraded box spring foundation if this is the case.

Purchase a good quality mattress

Prevention starts right at the beginning – with choosing the right mattress. Mattresses made with low-quality, low resilient materials will naturally deteriorate at a faster rate than those made with high-grade materials. So if you’re in the market for a new mattress, look for medium to high density foams if you’re leaning towards a memory foam. If you’re going more for an innerspring, then you’ll want to aim for low-gauge steel springs which are known for being thicker and resilient.

couple choosing folding mattress together in furniture store with arranged mattresses

Conclusion

The ultimate secret to ensuring your mattress won’t sag is by getting a mattress that is less prone to sagging. While the fixes mentioned above can prolong a mattress’s life and avoid further sagging, what’s done is done. It may be time to invest in a better mattress that supports your body, sleep and gives you a healthier, happier lifestyle. That sounds worth the spend, no?