Here's When You Need To Replace Common Household Items

The items in your home have an expiration date, and knowing when you need to switch them out is vital for your wellbeing and in some cases, even your safety. So how do you know when it’s time to take things out of rotation? 

Here’s a quick overview of common household items you should keep an eye out on, whether that's your mattress lifespan or simply your smoke detector: 

#1 -  Replacing your mattress

Can a mattress last 20 years? The answer is complicated. Your mattress lifespan will depend largely on the quality of your bed, the type of mattress you’ve invested in, and the amount you use it - for instance, a guest room mattress is likely to last longer than the one you sleep in every night. 

According to Consumer Reports, a good quality mattress can last you up to ten years. Though you might not be able to tell simply by looking at it, mattresses might get damaged through sagging, staining, and just regular wear and tear. Be sure to monitor how you’re sleeping with older mattresses so you can ensure you’re getting the best rest you can. 

#2 - Bathroom essentials  

You use your towels on a daily basis, so it should come as little surprise that they require frequent changing for maximum hygiene and your own wellbeing. Replacing these every two years is a good idea if you’re looking to ensure proper maintenance.

This doesn’t mean you have to keep throwing old towels out - you can also repurpose old towels so that they’re used as cleaning rags, or donated to local animal shelters for your benefit. Your shower curtains, on the other, require much more careful attention and might require replacing once a year. 

#3 - Switching out your smoke detectors 

A household item that often goes overlooked is the smoke detector. There’s an important safety element in keeping a close monitor on smoke detectors. The batteries in your smoke detectors require replacement every six months, whereas your actual smoke detector should be swapped out every ten years to ensure optimal safety. 

Smoke detectors are often forgotten as a priority by most homeowners, so if you’re moving into a new home, be sure to get a fresh set of batteries to test and ascertain that you’ve found the right smoke detector for you.

 

#4 - Kitchen appliances

Finally, one thing to keep in mind when switching out or looking after your household items include your kitchen appliances. Water filters are often neglected, but changing it once every two months is recommended by most popular brands for an optimal level of safety.

Microwaves, on the other hand, should last you at least a decade before you have to think about replacing them. Be sure to pay special attention to how long your microwave actually takes to heat food up - if you notice that it’s begun taking longer, you might want to consider replacing your microwave earlier.

One last thing to keep in mind to replace consistently are your kitchen sponges. Sponges for your kitchen are important and can accumulate dirt pretty quickly, since they stay moist and become breeding grounds for all kinds of bacteria. 

When it comes to replacing household items from time to time, it’s important to remember that your wellbeing can hinge on your personal comfort. Being sure to get the best mattress for your sleep position plays a huge role in how well-rested you feel, which in turn plays a significant role in how you perform at work, during workouts, and even in your personal relationships.

Knowing how to manage these things properly will enable you to get the good night’s sleep you actually deserve.

Do Healthy Late Night Snacks Exist? The Answer Might Surprise You

We all get the late night munchies, but as tempting as late night snacks may be, it’s important to realize that eating before sleeping should be done with caution. Not only can unhealthy snacking lead to weight gain, but they’re also more likely to disrupt your sleep and damage your overall sleep quality. 

If you often feel like eating right before bed, it’s possible to come up with a couple of healthy snacks that can contribute to a positive night’s sleep. Here’s everything you need to know about late night snacking:

Why do we crave food late at night?

According to one 2018 study, your cravings late at night can be indicative of deeper trouble, in the form of the night-eating syndrome, or NES. This usually occurs to a person who eats more than 25% of their daily calories at night. 

People with NES consume excessively after dinner and can struggle with midnight cravings, and struggle with irregular moods, obesity, and energy crashes throughout the day. 

What are the healthiest late-night snacks you can eat?

If you are craving something to munch on before you go to bed at night, indulging in some healthy snacks can actually positively contribute to your rest. If you’re eating before bed, here is a list of sleep-inducing late-night snacks that are recommended by experts: 

• Tart cherries: cherries contain melatonin, which is a hormone commonly associated with sleep. Cherries also contain something known as procyanidin B-2, which can protect the tryptophan in your blood and enable it to produce a healthy amount of melatonin. 

• Kiwis: An underrated superfood, kiwis actually contain significant amounts of serotonin, as well as 190% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin C. In one study, participants who ate kiwis daily for a month spent 35% less time tossing and turning in bed, going straight to sleep instead. 

• Crackers with cheese: Craving something slightly more substantial? Snacks that offer a good balance between carbs and protein, such as whole-grain crackers paired with cheese, can help make tryptophan more easily accessible for your brain. 

• Greek yogurt: Both plain and Greek yogurt are good sources of protein, and more specifically casein, which has been shown to reduce the hunger you experience when you wake up in the morning. Pair with some berries or peaches for an extra healthy snack. 

Foods to avoid for a good night’s sleep

Foods that are high in sugar or processed foods can be particularly disruptive to your sleep. Fatty foods such as potato chips and ice cream are what we’re most drawn to during the night, but unfortunately, this can result in acid reflux.

Avoiding junk food is just one bad habit you need to avoid before bedtime. To keep your sleep as comfortable as possible, you’ll also want to maintain other healthy sleep hygiene habits. These include: 

• Avoid blue light present in your phones and other devices before going to bed. 

• Keep your bedroom comfy, with cooler temperatures and comfy bedding. 

• Workout a few hours before your bed - this will help you get to sleep faster in the evening.

• Take a warm shower before tucking yourself in for the night, to ensure you’re going to keep cool and comfy. 

Choosing your bedtime snacks carefully can ensure your sleep quality goes uninterrupted through the night. By picking nutritious snacks to consume before going to bed, not only do you improve your chances of falling asleep quickly, you’ll also find many of the nutrients present in these foods can be good for your general wellbeing, too. You’re going to rest better in no time.