Most of our lives are hectic and full of stress, and bedtime is one of the few times we're relatively still for a few hours. But have you really examined the quality of the sleep you're getting? If you wake up tired, stiff, or with a sore back and neck in the morning, maybe it's time to invest in a new mattress.

Many Americans spend the night tossing and turning, waking up with each movement of a partner, or fighting deep depressions in the mattress that develop over time. A good mattress should allow you to turn easily, redistribute your weight, and reduce pressure points to give you a great night's sleep.

Here are a few signs that you may need a new mattress and box spring:

• You wake up tired or with stiffness, numbness, aches or pains.
• You toss and turn during the night or feel like you're waking up several times a night.
• You feel like you're fighting or sinking into deep ruts or depressions in the mattress.
• The mattress creaks or groans when you sit on it.
• You had a better night's sleep somewhere other than your own bed, such as a hotel.
• Your mattress shows visible signs of overuse: it sags, has lumps or stains, the interior is exposed, etc.
• Your mattress is five to seven years old. How long a mattress will last depends on several factors, such as amount of use and original quality, but in general, a mattress set that has been in use for five to seven years is no longer providing you with the best comfort and support.
• You are not sleeping well in general.

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