A bed fit for a Wellness Warrior

Posted August 16, 2011

The bedroom is quite possibly the most important room in your home because this is where all the magic happens. Not that kind of magic, perve, I’m talking about the magic of healing. About one-third of our lives in spent in the bedroom, with our bodies in close and direct content with whatever it is we sleep on. When you consider that sleep time is when our bodies to the majority of their regenerating, rejuvenating and detoxifying; it’s a bit of a no-brainer that we should make sure our beds and bedding don’t get in the road.

During the night, we literally inhale whatever is in the materials of our bedding. Not only because we are at such a close range to them, but also because we are more vulnerable and susceptible to toxins and pollutants while we sleep. Unless you’re already onto it, this most likely includes: dust mites and mould in synthetic mattresses that trap moisture, toxic chemicals from fire retardants called semi-volatile organic compounds (particularly those found in poly foams and battings), synthetic chemicals found in glues, fabric treatments and dyes, and pesticide residues in conventional wool and cotton battings.

What’s the damage?
These common bedroom contaminants can lead to serious short and long-term effects. Common symptoms include chronic sinus problems, feeling stuffed up, sneezing, runny nose, sleeping poorly and/or waking up with fatigue, headaches, foggy thinking, joint pain and skin irritations.

What’s the solution?
It’s not all bad news. You don’t need to resort to sleeping outside on a hammock just yet. There are plenty of sustainable, healthy and comfortable bedding products on the market. These include beds, bedding, linens and textiles made from organic, natural materials. It’s an investment, but like anything to do with your health, it is a very worthwhile one.

Organic wool: Mattresses and bed systems made with high quality, organic wool batting are great, because organic wool is naturally fire retardant, wicks and dries moisture away from the body, is naturally dust mite resistant, and cushions the body. Since the average body loses about a pint of vapour into the bed every night, it’s important that the battings used in beds and bedding efficiently and effectively wick and dry, so that conditions favourable for mould and dust mites are eliminated.

Natural latex: According to healthy home expert Mary Cordaro, high quality 100% natural latex is a good, comfortable and contouring alternative to metal coils, which can become magnetized in the presence of an electrical environment, creating a subtle type of DC electromagnetic field. She also says that metal can distort the beneficial, measurable healing frequencies from the earth.

Natural fabrics: Organic cotton sheeting and ticking, eliminate another subtle type of electromagnetic field called “electrostatic charge.” The result is that natural surfaces don’t attract as much dust, because of the absence of static. Organic fabrics undyed, or dyed with natural pigments are free of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which “outgas” in low levels from conventional, synthetic dyes, as well as permanent fabric treatments. By working with nature and using materials that are naturally healthy and contaminant free, this eliminated the need for synthetic dust mite barrier covers.

Have you thought about the damage your bedding could be doing your health?

Positive affirmation for the day: Wherever I place my attention is what I will create.

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