Your sleep health is one thing that you should always be cautious about. After all, the quality of your sleep decides the way all of your systems function. A disruption in your sleep routine can lead to a range of health issues such as diabetes, weight gain, poor memory, hear problems, decreased alertness, etc. A great way to improve your sleep health is switching to eco-friendly sleeping. Eco-friendly sleep is nothing but overhauling of your sleeping environment where you use sustainable products rather than relying on synthetic ones. Without further ado, let us learn how eco-friendly sleep can not only make your sleep quality better but improve your whole life.
1. Furniture
A good way to start using eco-friendly items for your bedroom would be to go for reclaimed wooden furniture instead of new ones. This makes sure that there is no expenditure of energy that would have otherwise been spent in the manufacturing process of a new one. Be it benches, bedside tables, tools, or chairs, you can always find sellers of used furniture. While going for new furniture, make sure that its production has minimal impact on the environment, and it does not employ harmful chemicals and retardants. The retardants which are used for preventing a fire accident, are toxic enough to cause cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, among other health issues.
A common mistake that people commit while setting up their bedroom is failing to place appropriate furniture. Keeping a chair made of materials that are natural or recycled in your bedroom will make sure that you do not use your bed for the purpose of sitting.
2. Bedding
If you are currently using materials like polyester and nylon for bedding items, we will recommend that you get rid of them as soon as possible. Not only do these fabrics trap a lot of heat but are also bad for your skin. They are nonbiodegradable in nature and their manufacturing process consumes a great amount of water. It is therefore better to pick sheets and pillow covers that are not only good for health but also sustainable.
Cotton, linen, silk, etc., are few such preferable eco-friendly bedding materials. While picking such items, make sure that the silk or cotton used in it is farmed organically without the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides. Another hot favourite organic material for sheets is bamboo. It is known for growing fast and consuming a vast amount of CO2 in the process.
3. Mattress
We spend one-third of our day on our mattresses. Shouldn’t we then look to have a mattress that is comfortable for us and sustainable for the environment? The best way to do this is to replace your old foam or innerspring mattress with organic materials like organic bamboo and organic wool. Foam mattresses are notorious for releasing harmful gases and VOCs into the air long after their manufacturing. Instead of dumping your innerspring mattresses into the landfill every few years, go for mattresses made from 100% natural latex. Such latex mattresses will last for more than double of innerspring mattresses.
Organic mattresses can be a bit expensive, but sleeping on them will ensure proper heat regulation, comfortable feel, support for back, and prevention from exposure to allergens and chemicals. Make sure that you are able to complete the required amount of sleep without interruptions on your new mattress. Use this site to calculate the sleep amount you receive everyday so that you maintain a consistent sleep routine.
4. Paint
If you have ever been exposed to fumes emanating from paints that causes irritation in your eyes or nose, you probably are aware of their toxic nature. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, there was a heightened risk of developing different types of cancer among painters, artists, plant workers, and lacquerers. The harmful pigments, solvents, and VOCs found in the paints is therefore not only bad for the environment but lethal for us humans too. You should therefore opt for non-toxic and VOC free paint before painting your bedroom.
Nowadays, there is a wide variety of eco-friendly paints that are made from natural materials such as milk, clay, citrus, etc. Before buying such paints, see to it that the production employs water conservation, low waste production, and reduced toxic emission.
5. Decor
Choosing eco-friendly decor for your bedroom is not just a great way to increase the room’s appeal but also good for the pocket. Instead of relying on ACs that harm the environment by contributing to the ozone depletion by releasing greenhouse gases, allow the windows to be kept wide open so that there is proper air circulation. This also helps you get enough exposure to natural sunlight in the daytime. In an absence of such a source of light, make sure that the artificial lights used in the room are LED that consume less power.
Make use of your creative side and recycle old boxes and bottles to create items like pen stands and flower vases. Fill your room with a good amount of plants that boost the supply of oxygen such as the Snake Plant, the Rubber Plant, or the English Ivy.
Bottom line
Eco-friendly sleeping is not just a bundle of steps that you practice to improve your sleep. It is a part of a sustainable way of living that ensures that you maintain the best health possible through use of natural products while not causing harm to the environment. We hope that the steps mentioned above help you achieve the right sleep quality and overall good health when you adopt eco-friendly sleeping.
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