8 Ways to be Health-Conscious in Your Bedroom
Enhance your sleep and your health by detoxing your bedroom in just a few easy ways…
Samantha van Egmond
25 July 2016
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance writer specialising in sustainable, natural and ethical living.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Freelance writer specialising in sustainable, natural... More
Your bedroom is where you go to relax and recharge – and hopefully get a good night’s sleep. However, the quality of our sleep – and our health – can be affected by nasty toxic elements that are hiding in everything from the mattress to the paint. Sleep is the time when the body repairs and detoxifies itself, so give it the best possible chance at feeling healthy and energised with these tips on turning your bedroom into a soothing sanctuary you’ll love spending time in.
1. Up the airflow
The air inside our homes contains a host of toxins that affect our health. These can come from the furniture, walls and carpets and also from the outdoors. If you have clean, fresh air outside then opening the windows is the easiest way to make sure your bedroom is getting sufficient ventilation.
If the air outside isn’t up to scratch, investing in an air purifier might be the answer. Another way to cleaner air in the bedroom is by using only natural candles made from beeswax and soy, with 100% essential oil fragrances to replace synthetic air fresheners.
The air inside our homes contains a host of toxins that affect our health. These can come from the furniture, walls and carpets and also from the outdoors. If you have clean, fresh air outside then opening the windows is the easiest way to make sure your bedroom is getting sufficient ventilation.
If the air outside isn’t up to scratch, investing in an air purifier might be the answer. Another way to cleaner air in the bedroom is by using only natural candles made from beeswax and soy, with 100% essential oil fragrances to replace synthetic air fresheners.
2. Invest in organic sheets
We spend an average of five to nine hours between the sheets, so it makes sense to choose linen that is good for our health. Non-organic sheets have often been treated with chemicals that can affect the respiratory system and cause skin irritation, not to mention they’re damaging to the environment. It also pays to steer clear of synthetic fibres such as polyester that do not breathe the way natural fibres do, and instead invest in organic cotton, silk or bamboo for the most comfortable night’s sleep.
All you need to know about natural-fibre textiles
We spend an average of five to nine hours between the sheets, so it makes sense to choose linen that is good for our health. Non-organic sheets have often been treated with chemicals that can affect the respiratory system and cause skin irritation, not to mention they’re damaging to the environment. It also pays to steer clear of synthetic fibres such as polyester that do not breathe the way natural fibres do, and instead invest in organic cotton, silk or bamboo for the most comfortable night’s sleep.
All you need to know about natural-fibre textiles
3. Add an air-purifying plant
Not only have plants been proven to enhance air quality, they can also reduce stress and boost wellbeing. A NASA study to find the best plants for cleaning air space facilities revealed some of the most efficient at removing VOCs – aloe (Aloe vera), spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifritzii) and peace lily (Spathiphyllum) – all of which work beautifully in the bedroom. Be sure to keep the potting mix fresh to avoid growing mould spores, which can aggravate allergies.
Keeping your indoor plants thriving
Not only have plants been proven to enhance air quality, they can also reduce stress and boost wellbeing. A NASA study to find the best plants for cleaning air space facilities revealed some of the most efficient at removing VOCs – aloe (Aloe vera), spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium), Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifritzii) and peace lily (Spathiphyllum) – all of which work beautifully in the bedroom. Be sure to keep the potting mix fresh to avoid growing mould spores, which can aggravate allergies.
Keeping your indoor plants thriving
4. Pick your pillows carefully
Natural is best when it comes to where you rest your head, so look for organic cotton or wool, or natural latex. Often pillows include a tag with the date they’ll need replacing, however, washing them occasionally will help minimise allergens such as dust mites and a build-up of dead skin. Nice day outside? Air your pillows in the sun to freshen them up and help kill mould that may be growing.
Natural is best when it comes to where you rest your head, so look for organic cotton or wool, or natural latex. Often pillows include a tag with the date they’ll need replacing, however, washing them occasionally will help minimise allergens such as dust mites and a build-up of dead skin. Nice day outside? Air your pillows in the sun to freshen them up and help kill mould that may be growing.
5. Keep clutter to a minimum
It may seem like a no-brainer, but a clutter-free bedroom really is the simplest way to make regular dusting and vacuuming quick and easy – not to mention creating a calmer sleep environment. Store smaller items and paperwork in drawers, keep all clothing in cupboards and focus on quality rather than quantity when it comes to furniture and decor.
Kick-start your decluttering effort
It may seem like a no-brainer, but a clutter-free bedroom really is the simplest way to make regular dusting and vacuuming quick and easy – not to mention creating a calmer sleep environment. Store smaller items and paperwork in drawers, keep all clothing in cupboards and focus on quality rather than quantity when it comes to furniture and decor.
Kick-start your decluttering effort
6. Choose non-toxic paint
Synthetic paints, in particular oil-based paints, contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) along with other harmful chemicals including trichloroethylene and xylene, that are linked to a multitude of health conditions. If you’re thinking about making over your bedroom with a fresh coat of paint, go for natural, organic and biodegradable options, or check that your paint is VOC-free before purchasing.
Synthetic paints, in particular oil-based paints, contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) along with other harmful chemicals including trichloroethylene and xylene, that are linked to a multitude of health conditions. If you’re thinking about making over your bedroom with a fresh coat of paint, go for natural, organic and biodegradable options, or check that your paint is VOC-free before purchasing.
7. Switch your mattress
We’ve all heard horror stories about the creatures that lurk in our mattress if they’re not replaced and/or cleaned properly. However it’s sometimes the synthetic materials of conventional mattresses that can cause harm, many containing polyurethane, formaldehyde and boric acid.
Natural latex or organic cotton are both great choices, however if replacing your mattress isn’t an option then covering your existing mattress with an organic cotton cover will help to create a barrier against toxics and allergens.
We’ve all heard horror stories about the creatures that lurk in our mattress if they’re not replaced and/or cleaned properly. However it’s sometimes the synthetic materials of conventional mattresses that can cause harm, many containing polyurethane, formaldehyde and boric acid.
Natural latex or organic cotton are both great choices, however if replacing your mattress isn’t an option then covering your existing mattress with an organic cotton cover will help to create a barrier against toxics and allergens.
8. Eliminate electronics
While it’s tempting to have your mobile phone close by while you sleep, keep in mind that your phone, along with the computer, television and iPad, emit low level radiation and light that can disturb your sleep and result in insomnia and loss of concentration. The best solution is to remove all electronics from your bedroom, but if that’s not possible then at least switch them off before you snooze.
TELL US
Do you have any health-boosting ideas for the bedroom? Please share them in the Comments below.
MORE
Products for a dust free home
10 ways to make your bedroom more restful
While it’s tempting to have your mobile phone close by while you sleep, keep in mind that your phone, along with the computer, television and iPad, emit low level radiation and light that can disturb your sleep and result in insomnia and loss of concentration. The best solution is to remove all electronics from your bedroom, but if that’s not possible then at least switch them off before you snooze.
TELL US
Do you have any health-boosting ideas for the bedroom? Please share them in the Comments below.
MORE
Products for a dust free home
10 ways to make your bedroom more restful
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