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Keep waking up at night? Your mattress might be stopping you from sleeping through — here's why
Struggling to sleep through the night? If you're waking up without knowing why, your mattress could be to blame.
We all know how integral sleep is for our overall physical and mental wellbeing. In fact, the average person spends about one-third of their entire life sleeping.
Despite that, our mattress is often the last thing we tend to check when tackling sleep issues. But an unsupportive, sagging or aged mattress could be disrupting your rest.
So this Sleep Awareness Week 2025, we're exploring how a new mattress can transform your sleep and help you get an uninterrupted night’s rest. Read on to find out more…
5 ways a new mattress can help you sleep through the night
1. Better pressure relief
An old mattress which may be sagging or no longer suitable for your body type can lead to pressure building up in your joints.
This often results in tossing and turning throughout the night, trying to find a comfortable position. Inevitably, this leads to waking up in the night.
When lying on one of the best mattresses for your sleeping position, you'll feel extra press relief around key areas like your shoulders, hips and lower back to provide the ultimate cushioning support and relieve any tension.
This will delay any pressure build up and allow for you to stay in position for longer, enjoying deep, uninterrupted sleep.
2. Better motion isolation
Are you a light sleeper who wakes up at the slightest movement of your restless partner, child or pet? You need a mattress delivering excellent motion isolation.
As your bed ages, the springs, coils and foams loosen up due to regular use. This makes them inefficient in effectively absorbing movements.
However, choosing a new mattress that specializes in motion isolation (the best memory foam mattresses do this well) will prevent movement made on one side of the bed being transferred to the other, translating into uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.
Need a bed with good motion isolation? We have hand-picked our favorites to curate the best mattresses for couples so you can sleep soundly without worrying about your restless partner.
3. Proper support
Lying on a worn out mattress night after night can lead to aches and pains over time, putting unnecessary strain on your muscles and joints.
This can not only lead to stiffness and injury, but also sleep deprivation from waking in the night.
A new mattress, on the other hand, will guarantee proper spinal alignment, even if you're someone who tends to toss and turn in your sleep. By offering both cushioning and robust support, you can rest in any position knowing your body is properly balanced.
Struggle with back pain? Sleeping on an uneven sleeping surface (such as your couch or an old bed) will exacerbate your existing condition.
Check out this year's best mattresses for back pain which are designed to give specialist support for your lower back.
4. Effective temperature regulation
Ever woken up in the middle of the night soaked from the night sweats? Chances are that your bed is trapping heat.
Over time, layers in your mattress can be compressed, leading to a more dense structure, reducing airflow and trapping hot air.
Most of the latest mattresses feature cutting-edge cooling technology. Whether its an open-structured build to a breathable, cool-to-touch top cover to ensure your sleep is not sabotaged due to overheating.
If you're someone prone to overheat, it is wise to invest in one of the best cooling mattresses. These incorporate elements like a hybrid design, or a Celliant-infused cover to help you sleep comfortably.
5. Instant comfort
Everyone knows the frustration of fluffing up the pillows at night and turning from side to side, trying to get comfortable so you can fall asleep, but failing miserably.
This can lead to delayed sleep onset (transition from wakefulness to sleep). The longer you lie awake staring at the ceiling, the more disrupted your circadian rhythm will be.
Throwing off your body clock will have a knock on effect throughout the week, leading to even more trouble falling and staying asleep.
Nothing can quite compare to that feeling of sleeping on a new mattress. Whether you enjoy cloud-like plush comfort or a firm and robust surface, investing in the right mattress for you will help you drift off quickly and easily.
When should you change your mattress?
So, how do you know when it's time to change your mattress? Apart from the constant discomfort and sleep struggles, your bed will show enough tell-tale signs indicating that it's time for a change. Here are a few to look out for:
- Your mattress is more than 10 years old
- Your allergies are getting worse
- You notice parts of it are sagging or uneven
- Your bed has discoloured or has yellow stains
- You experience back aches or shoulder pain in the morning
