Your Guide To Creating A Natural Sleep Space
Whether you’re looking to be closer to nature, want to incorporate more natural products into your life, or simply enjoy more restful sleep, this guide will help you choose natural bedding that’s right for you.
Supportive All-Natural Pillow Fibers
When selecting a pillow, one of the most important factors is finding the best support for your body alignment. Some people prefer soft, fluffy support levels while others find responsive firmness more comfortable. No matter which type you like, there are natural fills that can help you sleep well each night.
Down Pillows
One of the most common, all-natural pillow fills is down or feathers. Down pillows are often thought of as luxurious due to their plush, soft, fluffy nature. Down pillows are made from the undercoating of feathers; they provide an airy, lofty feel that cradles the head for lasting, durable comfort.
By choosing a down pillow that is Responsible Down Standard (RDS) Certified, you can be sure that it’s made with high-quality materials and that no birds were harmed or treated inhumanely in the manufacturing process.
Merino Wool Pillows
Another common natural pillow fill is wool. A Merino wool pillow offers the reliable, cushioning comfort of traditional wool while adding additional benefits that come from its finer texture. This unique material offers naturally thermoregulating and moisture-wicking properties for more refreshing, comfortable sleep.
Kapok Pillows
A more unusual type of pillow fill is natural Kapok. Kapok fiber is eco-friendly and highly sustainable. Obtained from the seed pods of Kapok trees in Central and South America, it is also called “silky cotton.” Kapok offers an extremely soft and smooth feel while providing buoyant, responsive support that helps relieve head and neck pressure.
Types of Nature-Infused Sheets
Once you have the comfort and support you need from all-natural pillows, investing in a premium sheet set made from eco-friendly, natural fibers can also be a great way to improve your sleep space.
Fairtrade Cotton Fabric
One of the world’s most popularly used fibers, cotton can be found in most households. From towels to shirts to bedding, cotton offers a soft, familiar feel that many have come to appreciate. Not only is cotton one of the top all-natural choices for bedding, it is also a versatile fiber that can be spun and used in a variety of ways to provide various levels of comfort and style.
While cotton is a natural resource, it is cultivated and harvested can have a large impact on the environment. Sheets made from Fairtrade cotton ensure a more sustainable cotton farming process while also offering farmers and workers a fairer, safer, work environment and a brighter future for their communities.
Linen Fabric
Obtained from the fast-growing flax plant, linen is considered an eco-friendly and highly renewable resource. Linen is known for its durability and long-lasting comfort. Sheets made with all-natural linen offer hypoallergenic and thermoregulating benefits as well as a cozy, breathable feel.
Hemp Fabric
Hemp is one of the most sustainable, eco-friendly fibers in the world. Hemp plants use less water, provide high yields, absorb more carbon, prevent erosion, and return a large amount of nutrients back to the earth. Hemp fabric has thermoregulating properties and a lightweight, breathable feel that offers a refreshing sleep surface. It is also incredibly durable and naturally hypoallergenic.
How to Find All-Natural Bedding
If you’re on the lookout for all-natural bedding, it’s always good to do research on types of natural fabrics and fills, the environmental impact they have, and the way they feel. Once you know the types of materials you want to incorporate into your sleep space, it’s also helpful to familiarize yourself with common certifications that indicate responsible sourcing of materials. Here are a few common ones:
Fairtrade: Fairtrade is an organization made up of a community of over 2 million farmers and workers to provide fairer, safer working conditions, a better future for farmers, workers, and their communities, and more sustainable farming practices.
Better Cotton Initiative (BCI): The Better Cotton Initiative focuses on environmental, social, and economic sustainability regarding the growth and production of cotton as one of the world’s most renewable resources.
Responsible Down Standard (RDS): A certification from Responsible Down Standard verifies that the animals involved in collecting down and feathers are treated humanely as well as ensuring the highest possible quality of materials.
Enjoy the comfort and beauty of natural bedding while knowing you’re doing your part to help create a better world.
Sources
“Cotton.” Fairtrade Foundation. fairtrade.uk/buying-fairtrade/cotton/
“Cotton.” Fairtrade International. fairtrade/en/products/Fairtrade_products/Cotton.html
“Growing Hemp for the Future.” Textile Exchange. textileexchange/app/uploads/2023/04/Growing-Hemp-for-the-Future-1.pdf
“The Story of Cotton.” National Cotton Council of America. hcotton/pubs/cottoncounts/story/importance.cfm
Today’s Health Topics
Editor's Pick
Health Focus
Ask Dr. Weil's Q&A
| sponsor | ||
 |
||
|
