Getting Earth-friendly products is a bit easier these days, whether it be in-store or online. The food you eat to the car you drive, you can make healthy choices for your body and the Earth. There are still a few industries behind the curve, like mattresses and bedding. This is surprising due to the many health and wellness benefits great sleep serves up.
Did you know that you can increase your mental and physical health by simply getting better sleep night after night. A few health benefits include:
- Better heart health
- Reduced risk for cancer
- Less stressful feelings
- Decreased inflammation
- Better memory and intelligence
- Maintain a healthy weight
Finding a natural, green, Earth-friendly mattress and bedding can be challenging. But with the right mindset and knowing the right questions to ask, you can find great options that align with your eco-minded conscious.
If your ready to make a Earth-friendly difference in the bedroom and be rewarded in great sleep, the following can be of use. Let’s take a closer look at how you can get a healthier night’s sleep.
Start with your bed
Where you lay your head nightly is the best place to start. Your bed is the centerpiece of your bedroom, and most likely the largest piece of furniture in your home. This makes it critical to ensure it is and eco-friendly mattress. But sadly, most mattresses are unregulated when it comes to the types of materials and chemicals used to manufacture them.
Be on the lookout when shopping for a new bed. There are mattress stores that have great information about the type of mattress and the products used to make it. You can also do a bit of online research to get the facts on the beds you want to take for a test drive in-store.
Become a mattress mad scientist
There are a ton of chemicals in most mattresses, simply because the mattress industry is unregulated. Think of it like the cigarette companies in the 1960s — anything goes. This makes it more challenging to find an Earth-friendly bed that satisfies your eco-soul.
One good indicator of a chemical infested bed is to smell it. A sniff test can be pretty revealing. If it smells like cleaning supplies, then you can bet there are quite a few toxins. Toxins, like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in mattresses can cause irritation and even respiratory problems. Do your homework and find the least toxic option, because there is no such thing as a 100 percent green mattress.
Compile a list of Earth-friendly mattress questions
Before heading to a mattress store to try out a few top choices, be prepared. There are sales reps in stores that may not have the best interest of your health, or the Earth in mind. Having the right questions ready to go will help get answers you need and test the knowledge of the sales reps.
A few questions to start with are:
- Why is the mattress labeled “eco” or green?
- What are the materials in the mattress?
- How is the mattress made?
- What aspects of the production make it green?
- Where is it made (ethical buying decisions)?
If a mattress store employee is knowledgeable, they will know the right Earth-friendly mattress you are looking for. Being prepared can also shift the sales pitch in your favor, helping you get a better price when you decide on the bed you want to take home.
Think about bedding too
Your mattress isn’t the only earth-friendly, healthy choice you need to make. Bedding is just as important, since it comes into direct contact with your skin nightly. Natural, eco-minded bedding can also improve the quality of your sleep. The good news is that there are more Earth-friendly bedding choices than mattresses. The following eco-minded bedding options may be helpful:
- Wool is an excellent choice for the eco-minded because it serves up both warm and cool sleep conditions. It’s also fluffy and you don’t need to worry about dust mites. The only issue with wool bedding is the transportation, since most wool comes from Australia and New Zealand, increasing its carbon footprint. You can, with a bit of research, find local options.
- Cotton is a mainstay for eco-minded folks. But be sure its organic cotton to avoid the manufacturing footprint. Organic cotton bedding gives you a comfortable sleep due to it being breathable and soft. It is, however, a bit pricey and wrinkles.
Wrapping up . . .
The above Earth-friendly tips for a great night’s sleep can help you ease your mind about the eco-minded choices you’re making in the bedroom. From your mattress to the type of bedding you put on it, there are options available. Do you have any eco-friendly, green bedroom tips? We want to hear from you.
