5 warning signs that your mattress is worn out

The quality of your mattress is key to how well you're able to sleep each night. The National Sleep Foundation has performed research that shows the majority of Americans understand the importance of a comfortable mattress. In fact, one survey found that 92 percent of respondents agreed a high-quality mattress plays a vital role in their ability to get a good night's rest.

The Better Sleep Council recommended changing out your mattress once it reaches around seven years old, as this is when it fails to provide the comfort and support that you need to get a restful sleep. However, this can vary from product to product depending on factors like the amount it's used, the initial quality and the material it's made from. So how do you know exactly when it's time to say goodbye to your old one and start the search for a better, more supportive one? Keep an eye out for these five warning signs that suggest your mattress has officially kicked the bucket:

Have you found yourself waking up with a sore back or neck each morning? It may be time to stop blaming those after-work workout sessions and start considering the idea that your mattress is the culprit. The problem is likely that your mattress has become too soft, without the firmness your body needs to be fully supported as you sleep. The areas of the mattress that cater to your pressure points may have begun to sag, causing you to wake up in pain and making it challenging to feel refreshed, even after a full night's rest.

If you notice that you're experiencing allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or watery eyes, this could be the result of dust and other particles that have become trapped in your mattress material over the years. Many people are allergic to dust mites and dirt that can be found in old mattresses, especially traditional spring products. A memory foam mattress may be just what you need to get rid of these annoying side effects, as the foam is too dense for dust mites and other allergens to settle.

Are you having trouble lying still throughout the night? It could be that you can't find a comfortable sleeping position for your pressure points because your mattress is no longer able to support or conform to your body as it should. This leads to constant readjusting throughout the night and is a red flag that your mattress is too old.

Lumps form when the padding inside moves around and clumps together, forming an uneven density. This often happens in poor-quality products that haven't been stitched or tufted very well. Similarly, it will begin to sag when the innerspring system is worn out unevenly. Sagging is one of the most common causes of back pain, as this means you aren't supported as you sleep. To prevent this in the future, flip it regularly and rotate the sides you sleep on.

It's also important to consider the condition of your box spring, as this is what provides your mattress with support. If it creaks every time you move, it could mean that it's sagging and that your mattress isn't going to be able to cater to your pressure points because it doesn't have a firm foundation to rely on.