New Delhi, May 17 (IANS): From its immune system to proper hormonal balance, memory or emotional health, the body requires an abundant amount of comfortable sleep to function well. However, most people pay little attention to the elements that make for a great sleeping environment, most important of which is their mattress. Have you ever paid much attention to it?

Although there's a rule of thumb that mattresses should be replaced every eight years, it can widely vary depending on the condition. Ankit Garg, Co-founder and CEO, Wakefit.co and Devrath Vijay, founder of the functional training studio, The Outfit, provide significant pointers to help you identify a mattress nearing the end of its lifespan:

* Pay attention to the distress calls: A sudden squeak, an unfamiliar groan or a sustained creak as you heave yourself up from your bed are nothing but the notes of your mattress's swansong. This is especially true in the case of spring mattresses.

Since they are metal structures, they have their limitations and they will not regain their full shape after a few years. A rubbing sound might mean that your mattress is settling too much when you first lie on it. Visible worn-out spots or sagging and bunched-up areas are also visual reminders that it's time to part ways with your mattress.

* Feel the fall: The gradual depreciation of a mattress' quality is most evident in the way its surface feels. Just run your hand slowly over your mattress and if you are able to feel lumps, sagged edges or sudden hard areas, then you should definitely consider replacing your mattress.

* Because your body's telling you so: A sound sleeper generally, have you in the recent past been tossing and turning in bed more often? Are you waking up sore and tired? Do you have muscle pain and feel weak in certain parts of your body, frequently in the lower back region? Do you find you have muscle knots? It's time to give your mattress a thorough check, as a loss of support due to a worn out mattress is often the prime suspect for such ailments.

* It's been 7 years or more: Lastly, even if you have been one of the most careful mattress users who has taken good care of the mattress hygiene and have not yet had a problem with your sleep, it's definitely advisable to inspect your mattress for any damages. Being one of those products, which can deteriorate without its users being aware, experts suggest that mattresses should ideally be replaced every 7-10 years, before the faults start robbing you off your hard-earned sleep.