Posted by Pam Johnson - Head of Buying on 14th Jul 2023
Getting Used to a New Mattress: How Long Does it Actually Take?
Much like a new pair of shoes, a new mattress needs a certain amount of breaking in. But how long does it actually take to get used to your new mattress?
Well, the adjustment phase will vary somewhat depending on an individual’s circumstances. As a general rule you can expect a new mattress to take somewhere between three and four weeks to get used to. It’ll also vary depending on what you’ve been used to sleeping on previously (1).
For example, if you’ve spent several months (or even years) sleeping on a sagging and unsupportive mattress, it could take a while for your body to adjust to receiving the proper support while you sleep.
That said, we should point out that it’s not impossible to wake feeling rejuvenated both in mind and body after the very first night as opposed to after the initial three months.
The main takeaway from all this is that if your new mattress doesn’t meet your expectations straight away, don’t immediately start looking into the returns policy. If you demonstrate a little patience, you might just find that your initial opinion was entirely wrong. And at Bensons, we offer a 40-night comfort guarantee for that very reason.
Read on to learn more about how long it takes to get used to a new mattress.
Getting used to a new mattress: the benefits of breaking it in
Remember that the mattress you adored so much in the showroom has been given the time it needs to settle into its bed frame or divan base and breathe. And so, when you get yours home, you’ll need to allow your new mattress time to do the same.
Plus, the materials that make up your new mattress will also affect how long it takes to break-in and get used to too. For example, if you’ve switched from a pocket-sprung mattress to a memory foam mattress (or vice versa), adjustment is likely to take a little longer.
4 tips for getting used to your new mattress
Just like your favourite pair of shoes, your new mattress will break itself in over time, and as you get used to it improved comfort will ensue. And so, here are our top tips to ensure you get used to your new mattress as efficiently as possible.
1. A good foundation is key when getting used to a new mattress
If you’re upgrading your mattress due to its age, you may also want to consider upgrading your divan base or bed frame at the same time too. Assess whether your bed frame or divan base is still in good condition and able to offer your new mattress the correct levels of support. If your new mattress does not get enough support, it cannot provide you with the support you need either (2).
2. Let your mattress breathe while getting used to it
Your new mattress needs to be given chance to breathe. And so, don’t dress it as soon as you get it out of the packaging. Instead, leave it sheet-free at least a few hours so your new mattress can air out properly. And, if it’s a rolled-up mattress, it’ll need some extra time to get back to its original shape (3).
3. Roll around on your new mattress
If you find that your new mattress is a bit on the stiff side, some extra weight can help you to break it in so that you get used to it faster. Try rolling around on the mattress or even spending a little more time on it watching TV or reading your new page-turner can make it soften more quickly and give your body the extra time it needs to adjust to the new support.
Turningand rotating the mattress quarterly also helps to keep weight distribution even and help your mattress to wear more evenly. And for no-turn mattresses, you’ll want to rotate it quarterly.
4. Choose a mattress that comes with a sleep trial
At Bensons, all our mattresses come with a 40-night comfort guarantee to grant you peace of mind. This means you can trial your new mattress for up to 40 nights from the date of delivery and, if you still feel it isn’t right for you, you can return it for an exchange. Click on the Guarantee link to see full terms and conditions
This means that even if getting used to your mattress takes 30 days and you still aren’t getting along with it as well as you like, you can simply return it for an exchange.
How will getting used to a new mattress feel in the first couple of days?
Once you have set up your new mattress and allowed it to breathe for several hours or more, next comes your very first sleep on your new mattress. Given that there are loads of variable with a new mattress, getting used to yours might take a little adjustment initially. Here is a list of things to be aware of during the first couple of nights:
Soreness
It’s not uncommon to wake up feeling a little discomfort after your first night on a new mattress. And it’s fairly logical why this teething pain is quite normal. Over the years, your body has grown used to the way in which your old mattress offered it albeit sub-par support. Now that your body is receiving the correct support levels, a period of adjustment is to be expected. After a period of time, your body will get used to the new mattress leaving you feeling better rested (4).
Difficulty falling asleep
You may find that your new mattress has you drifting off in no time, but falling asleep can be tricky while you’re still getting used to your new mattress. But, given time, your body will get used to it and you’ll start to experience the benefits that come hand in hand with the correct sleeping support levels.
Benefits of getting used to a new mattress
Along with all the normal adjustments that are part and parcel of getting used to your new mattress, there are a whole host of benefits to enjoy. Here are just a handful of reasons a new mattress is a good idea:
- Allergy relief. A new mattress can cut down on allergy symptoms as it gives you a clean slate (well, dust-free) to sleep on. If you suffer with allergies and want some sleep-related advice to ease your symptoms, check out our guide. A hypoallergenic mattress is also a good option to consider for allergy sufferers. You can also explore our collection of hypoallergenic sleep solutions and mattresses here.
- Correct support levels. Different mattresses are designed for different sleep styles. If you want to understand how to find the right mattress for your preferred position, check out our sleep positions guide.
- Relieve stress. A new mattress could help to relieve your stress a study completed in 2009 and recorded in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine suggests (6). In this study 32 separate stress-related symptoms and behaviours were observed before and after a 28-day trial which saw participants sleeping on a new mattress. The recordings covered physical reactions including dry mouth, grinding teeth and tightness in the chest along with psychological feelings like forgetfulness, irritability, and anxiety. Getting used to a new mattress was proven to alleviate many of these symptoms.
- Relieve aches and pains. A new mattress could also help to banish those bad back and achy legs symptoms. The right mattress for your sleep position will better align your spine which will result. It will also provide invaluable relief for those pressure points too provided you shop smart and bear in mind your personal sleep needs. Want to learn more about which type of mattress is best for a bad back? Read our write up here.
- Improved sleep quality overall. Given time to get used to your new mattress, you’ll benefit from a better quality of sleep overall. This can lead to numerous benefits across both your physical and mental health (7).
Sources:
- https://www.sleep.com/sleep-design/how-long-does-it-take-to-break-in-a-mattress
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a676354/what-to-consider-when-buying-a-new-bed/
- https://www.saatva.com/blog/can-new-mattress-cause-back-pain/
- https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/this-is-why-you-cant-sleep-in-a-new-bed/
- How to break in a new mattress: What to do and how long it takes - CNET
- https://bedtimesmagazine.com/2009/04/study-new-mattress-reduces-stress/
- https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/mental-health-and-relationships/get-enough-sleep
