Green Sleep

There is a strong case for going the extra distance to find bedding that is sustainable, green and eco-friendly. Beyond the saving of natural resources, the protection of planet Earth and the extension of the environment for the next generation; sleeping on green bedding and linens feels good and is better for you.

Let’s look at sleep as a system, like the body and the planet is a system. Everything is interconnected. The decisions you make about pillows, linens and bedding will impact you, your sleep, your environment and ultimately the planet.

Sleep is a powerful need for the human body. Virtually every system in the body requires sleep to recharge, reboot and re-energize. The circulatory system is especially impacted by sleep. Lack of sleep raises blood pressure, increases risk for heart attack and stroke and can aggravate existing conditions. The respiratory system is both affected by sleep and effects sleep. The throat, airways and nasal passages need to be properly aligned to provide the opportunity for optimal sleep. Snoring, obstructive sleep apnea and other respiratory conditions including asthma can impact sleep as well.

So the decisions made about the mattress, bed frame, bedroom décor and space planning as well as linens, pillows and covers can impact the quality and quantity of sleep. Experts suggest that the room you sleep in should be cool, have the ability to be dark and free from clutter and things that generate worry or stress.

The bed should provide support and comfort and allow you to sleep in a position or series of positions that provide the relief and support required by any health conditions such as snoring, back pain, or joint pains. Consider an adjustable bed frame if you need to elevate your legs or head on a consistent basis, as it will provide safer ways to provide the necessary elevation.

Consider the mattress. The green options include those made from natural or plant based material, or those using an eco-friendly cell style process that provides no toxic fumes or petroleum in the foundation. Bamboo has become a favorite material for mattresses, as it is sustainable, fast growing and flexible as a material in mattresses and in linens.

Memory foam can be made with green manufacturing techniques and there are companies dedicated to green materials, processes and sustainable processes. The eco-friendly cell process is a good example. Original formulations for memory foam used petroleum based processes, which had toxic fumes as a side effect. Today there are manufactures focused on all natural (usually plant or by-products such as latex or rubber) as the main raw material. Rather than creating chemical concoctions, they are using plant-based materials to develop a sustainable product.

So your body is made from a series of systems (respiratory, circulatory, etc) requires sleep to function. If sleep as a process is improved by a good mattress, comfortable and allergy free linens, pillows that provide good support in a room designed to facilitate sleep then the sleep system works. If the decisions you make also improve the planet then that system works as well.