HOW TO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE SLEEP ENVIRONMENT

When you lie down to sleep at night, do you ever wonder how your bed came to be?

The first bed was made in South Africa 77,000 years ago. A 3-foot-by-6-foot mattress less than an inch thick of compacted aromatic insecticidal grasses. 

That was just the beginning of people’s quest for comfortable bedding: feathers, cotton, wool, springs, water, air, foam, and gel. Slumber innovations continue to support the lives of billions around the world. 

Everyone is also waking up to what sustainability is and how it can improve your lifestyle. One element of sustainability is about choosing environmentally responsible products.

SLEEP AND SUSTAINABILITY 

There is a reason why we always want our beds more comfortable. On average, we spend 26 years of our lives sleeping.

A good night’s rest is one of the most important and effective ways to improve overall well-being, and one way to achieve better sleep is through cooler temperatures.

Your body temperature can fluctuate throughout the night, depending on the hour and your stage of sleep and is one way your brain knows when it’s time to sleep and wake up.

Natural fiber bedding can help regulate your body temperature throughout the night. This is an easy and convenient way to get a better night’s sleep and is good for our planet, too.

Features of natural fabrics for you:

• Wicks away moisture
• Sleeps cool
• Breathable
• Durable 
• Antibacterial

Features of natural fabrics for the planet:

• Renewable sources
• Recyclable
• Biodegradable
• Lower volatile organic compounds

SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR BEDROOM

As you create a sustainable sleep system with bedding, make sure to choose your “eco-friendly” priorities. Consider these factors to get you started. 

Eco-friendly benefits for you:

• Hypoallergenic
• Regulates body temperature
• Resilient

Eco-friendly benefits for your home:

• Safe indoor air quality
• Mold resistant 
• Reusable and recyclable waste management 

In addition to sustainable bedding, you can increase your chances of better sleep with these few tips:

• Setting lights low before bedtime: calms neurotransmitters behind your eyes, allowing them to settle down for sleep. 
• Keeping your space decluttered: contributes to a more relaxing environment and minimizes allergens.  
• Adding plants to your décor: is an attractive way of keeping your indoor air quality clean.