No matter how much we may wish it, there comes a time when your old mattress needs to be replaced. Over time it could sag due to multiple years of carrying your body and even break down. However, when you finally get a new mattress, it takes a bit of time for your body to adjust to it.
So, how long does it take your body to get used to a new mattress? It may take anywhere from one to two months for your body to get used to a new mattress.
If you want to know why it takes that long and what you can do to perhaps speed up the process, read on.
Factors That Impact How Long It Takes To Get Used To A New Mattress
Odor
Receiving a new mattress is exciting. However, the initial joy could turn into concern after you unwrap the protective packaging from the mattress, as you may quickly become aware of an odor.
The odor of a new mattress is the result of a process called off-gassing. Off-gassing occurs because of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are produced during manufacturing. When you unwrap the mattress, the scent of these VOCs escape the plastic packaging and take a while to go away.
Don’t worry; these won’t cause you any harm. However, it might be hard to sleep on the mattress until the smell goes away.
Thickness
During your first night sleeping on the new mattress, you may find that it is very thick or tough. That does not indicate a problem. Manufacturers of mattresses nowadays purposely make the mattress thicker than how they’ve been made historically.
New sheets
Depending on the size of mattress you get, your old sheets that fit perfectly on your old mattress may not fit properly on the new one. So, you may have to purchase a new set of sheets, which can take a bit of getting used to.
Soreness
Your first day after sleeping on your new mattress, you may suffer some soreness. The reason for the soreness is that your body had become used to how your old mattress supported it. However, due to its age and its deterioration over time, the old mattress wasn’t supporting your body properly.
The new mattress is now supporting your body properly, but it will still feel uncomfortable. It’s up to you to become familiar with the new orientation. Getting used to this aspect of the mattress won’t take much time at all.
How Long Does It Take To Get Used To A New Memory Foam Mattress?
One of the most popular materials used to make mattresses is memory foam. As is the case with mattresses in general, one can ask, “How long does it take to get used to a new memory foam mattress?” Memory foam is a high-density material. Because of that, it could take as many as eight weeks before it is properly broken in.
Memory foam mattresses require a longer break-in period because they feature layers of foam stacked one on top of the other. This design is meant to support your weight and conform the mattress to your body.
However, they have a denser feel than other materials. A memory foam mattress feels denser because there is more material per cubic foot. More time is needed for the foam cells to open up and for the mattress material to loosen and stretch.
How Long Does It Take To Get Used To A Purple Mattress?
Many people claim that the Purple Mattress is the healthiest mattress around. Its key component is polyurethane foam. It is this material that makes it healthier than other mattresses. The mattress as a whole features three layers, which total 9.5-inches.
The first layer is 2-inches of Hyper-elastic polymer™ Smart-Comfort Grid. It offers great support, releases pressure, and allows airflow that helps keep it temperature neutral. The second layer is made of 3.5-inches and 1.8-pounds of dense polyurethane foam. The third layer is 4-inches and 2-pounds of dense polyurethane foam.
So, how long does it take to get used to a purple mattress? It takes about 21 days.
But people who have slept on it claim that you feel the difference after about 2-weeks. One user says, “We’ve been on it for about two weeks now, and I’m finding myself sleeping better and better every night.”
The reason it takes as much as 21 days to get used to it is that your previous mattress didn’t shape naturally to your body. Through the years, your body has grown familiar to improper support and has had to compensate for it.
So, when you sleep on a purple mattress, your body is not used to the proper support it gets from it. So, as you sleep on it for the adjustment period of 21-days, your body slowly unwinds and returns to a better-balanced state.
How To Break In A New Mattress
How you break in your mattress may depend on its style.
For example, the traditional innerspring mattress features a soft material that surrounds metal coils and springs. The break-in time may be shorter because these mattresses are sold with pillow-top cushioning. It is advised that you flip and rotate the mattress every three months. This avoids sagging in the portion of the mattress where you sleep.
Taking the time to flip and rotate the mattress will distribute your body weight across the coils and properly breaks in the whole bed.
Breaking in an innerspring mattress can take up to four weeks, though the exact amount of time depends on how often you’re laying on it. Someone who sleeps for 9 hours per night is going to break in a mattress faster than someone who sleeps for 7 hours per night.
Allow a memory foam mattress to decompress on itself several days after it’s been delivered. Lie on it, and crawl, walk and roll on it several times a day to make it softer.
To assure that the breaking in period is successful, don’t cover your memory foam mattress with a mattress topper. It limits decompression because it protects the mattress from your body weight and temperature.
Experiment with your bedroom’s temperature to assist a memory foam mattress in adjusting its firmness and flexibility. You probably aren’t aware that memory foam mattresses are sensitive to temperature variations. Well, it’s true; they react instantaneously to severe body heat, which makes the foam more flexible.
When you set your bedroom’s temperature cooler, memory foam mattresses become firmer and feel harder. So experiment with room temperature to adjust the softness and comfort of the mattress.
It takes less time to break in a latex mattress than other styles of mattress. Its feel won’t be significantly different once the break-in period is over.
Latex foam mattresses are made from natural, synthetic, or blended materials that offer great support. They are sold in a variety of firmness levels. They are also offered as hybrids and made from a combination of latex foam, memory foam, and spring support.
Soft and supportive, these mattresses take less time to break-in, which is from three days to two weeks. This is because air is able to settle in latex foam synthetics, causing the material to break in quicker.
A Tempurpedic Cloud Mattress is favored by many because of its softness and comfort. It is reported that it takes about two weeks to break in. At first, it may feel too hard. However, the Tempur cells will open during the breaking in and quickly adjust to your weight and to temperature changes. A new Tempurpedic will release an insignificant odor that will dissipate after a few weeks of use.
Breaking in a Tempurpedic Mattress involves:
- Spending more time in bed
- Extra movement when on the mattress to get the Tempur cells to open completely
- Allowing the Tempur cells to breathe so that the mattress can compensate for the change in temperature and body weight
Applying intense pressure on the mattress won’t cause problems. It is designed to return to its original shape, whatever happens.
Experiment with the temperature settings of your bedroom during the breaking in process. For example, set the temperature of your bedroom at 65°F, and the Tempurpedic mattress will normally be firmer. However, when you lie on it, it adjusts to your body temperature and offers a softer feel and stronger support.
There are things you can do to expedite the break in process. They include:
- Sleeping on the mattress from day one.
- Letting the mattress breathe.
- Using weights
- Warming it up
Sleeping On The Mattress From Day One
Realize that the initial days on your new mattress may not be comfortable. But you need to put in the time to do what’s necessary to break it in. Sleep in the bed every night, even if it isn’t comfortable. The time you put in on the mattress assures that it will become softer and more flexible.
You should also spend as much time on the mattress as possible. Read, watch television, and do work on it.
Letting The Mattress Breathe
When the mattress is delivered and put into your bedroom, don’t immediately put sheets, blanket, and bedspread on it. Instead, allow the material to breathe. This will introduce oxygen into the material and help to soften the mattress up quickly.
Using Weights
Put weight on the mattress. If you get a new memory foam mattress, then it is okay to walk on it. If you get an innerspring mattress, it’s okay to move across it with your hands and feet so that you don’t shift or break the springs.
Also, it’s okay to put heavy objects on the mattress. This can include books, boxes, or any other weighty object. Move the weighted items around the top of the mattress. This will enhance the flexibility of the material quicker.
Warming It Up
It will help to raise the temperature of your bedroom if you have a memory foam mattress. This will make the mattress feel softer within a shorter period of time.
Be sure that your new mattress has firm and strong support. Without a strong foundation, it will sag and degrade and could cause the manufacturer to void the warranty.
How To Prevent Your New Mattress From Causing Back Pain
People who buy new mattresses report suffering back pain prior to and during the break in process. Be assured that back pain won’t be an issue once the mattress has been broken in unless the pain is due to physical problems with your back.
To assure back pain remedy during the mattress’s breaking in period, improve your sleep posture. This can also relieve physical back pain issues separate from the condition of your bed.
Six sleeping positions are recommended to ease back pain. They include:
1. Sleeping on your back with knee support.
2. Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees.
3. Sleeping in the fetal position.
This article is owned by Sleeping Report and was first published on March 20, 2020
4. Sleeping on your front with a pillow under your stomach
5. Sleeping on your front with your head face down.
Sleeping On Your Back With Knee Support
Sleeping on your back is said to be the best position to ensure a healthy back. The posture assures an even distribution of your weight throughout the length of your body. It also diminishes pressure points and encourages a good orientation of your head, neck, and spine.
Putting a small pillow under your knees can provide extra support and assistance to maintain the normal curve of the spine.
To achieve this position, you should:
1. Face the ceiling as you lie flat on your back and avoid turning your head from side to side.
2. Use the pillow to support your head and neck.
3. Put a small pillow under your knees.
4. Add more pillows placed in gaps between your body and mattress, including under the lower back.
Sleeping On Your Side With A Pillow Between Your Knees
Although sleeping on your side can pull your spine out of position, causing a strain in your lower back, putting a firm pillow between your knees raises your upper leg and restores the usual alignment of your hips, pelvis, and spine.
To achieve this position, you should:
1. Lie in bed and roll on to one side.
2. Place a pillow under your head and neck.
3. Pull up your knees a little, and then place a pillow between them.
4. Fill in gaps between you and the mattress with more pillows for extra support. A pillow should especially be placed at your waist.
If you commonly turn on to your front, hug a large billow against your chest and stomach to assist in aligning your back.
Sleep In The Fetal Position
If you have a herniated disc, then the fetal position may provide relief when you sleep. What’s so good about the position is that lying on the side with your knees tucked into your chest decreases the bend of the spine and assists in opening the joints.
To achieve this position, you should:
1. Get into bed and roll on to one side.
2. Place a pillow under your head and neck.
This article is owned by Sleeping Report and was first published on March 20, 2020
3. Pull your knees up toward your chest until your back is fairly straight.
Sleeping On Your Front With Your Head Face Down
Normally, sleeping on your stomach is considered bad because your head is commonly turned to one side. The twisting of the head also twists the spine and puts extra stress on your neck, shoulders, and back.
It is best to avoid this. Instead, lie face down with a small, firm pillow propping up your forehead. This allows you to breathe. You should also include a pillow under your stomach.
To achieve this position, you should:
1. Get into bed and roll onto your stomach.
2. Put a thin pillow under your abdomen and hips to raise your mid-section.
3. Place a pillow or roll up a towel and place it under your forehead. This provides a breathing space between your mouth and mattress.
Sleeping On Your Front With A Pillow Under Your Stomach
Although lying on your stomach is usually considered the worst sleeping position because your spine isn’t properly aligned, if you struggle to find comfort sleeping in other positions, you can place a thin pillow under your stomach and hips. The pillow will improve your spinal alignment.
In addition, sleeping on your stomach could provide relief for people who have a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease.
To achieve this position, you should:
1. Lie on your front.
2. Place a thin pillow under your abdomen and hips. This raises your mid-section.
3. Put a flat pillow under your head or sleep without a pillow.
Do Firm Mattresses Get Softer?
Firm mattresses should get softer during the break in process. However, if your new mattress remains too firm, then there are remedies.
One thing you can do is to purchase a mattress topper. There are a number of styles available. They include:
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- Duvet comforter. Although not a long-term fix, it is designed to tuck under the mattress cover or fitted sheet. It immediately offers relief for anyone who wants a softer mattress.
- Egg crate foam. It is customizable and relatively inexpensive. Don’t expect it to last long, however. The egg crate foam is so inexpensive that if it wears out, you can simply buy more.
Summary
The key points you should take away from this article include:
- Several things can determine how long it takes to get used to your mattress. Its thickness and construction are just some of the things to consider.
- It can take as long as eight weeks to break in a mattress. The exact amount of time depends on the type of mattress.
- There are things you can do to quicken the break in process. This includes flipping and rotating the mattress, changing the temperature of your bedroom, applying weight, and spending time on it.
- Proper sleeping posture can prevent your mattress from causing back pain. Five positions are suggested.
