Why is good bedding important?
What if we told you that high quality bedding just might have the ability to improve your life? Well it’s true and according to research from the experts at Sleep.org, sleeping well at night might actually make you a better employee as well. Along with helping you stay focused and giving you lots of extra energy, a solid 6-8 hours of good sleep at night can improve your ability to make accurate, split-second decisions at work, enhancing both your productivity and job performance.
In addition, quality sleep can help your memory, boost your mood, help with production of hormones and help your body produce extra antibodies to fight illness. So what role does your bedding have in all of this? Well you spend a 1/3 of your life in bed so think of your bedding as something you wear. It needs to fit you properly! Material becomes very important when you put it in that perspective. So here are some type of materials to consider when shopping for your bedding.
Polycotton: Made from a blend of polyester and cotton. While bed linen made out of poly-cotton blend will still feel soft on the skin it is no match for natural materials such as linen and cotton. Sheets made from polycotton blends usually come with a slightly lower price tag and tend to be wrinkle-free after washing and tumble drying but they may not suit every lifestyle, especially those of you who are concerned with living in a more sustainable household.
Egyptian cotton: Renowned for being the best cotton in the world, but is it actually? Most luxury hotels will use Egyptian cotton due to its ability to maintain a fresh crispy feeling for a long time even after many washes. One thing to look out for before you splurge on Egyptian cotton is to check the finer print and ensure you are buying 100% Egyptian, many manufacturers will use the term ‘Egyptian’ but it will be mixed in with other cotton fibers - something worth paying attention to.
Linen: It has withstood the test of time when it comes to bedding and is widely recognized for being naturally luxurious. While linen feels a little rougher than cotton the first time you settle for a night of sleep, it will soon soften up and continue to do so after every single wash. It is also perfect for those who are suffering from allergies, linen is bacteria resistant and has a natural pH balance so even the most sensitive skin will find comfort in linen bedding. It is also a popular choice of bedding material in warmer climates as the flax fiber from which linen is made from is highly absorbent and breathable.
Cotton: Natural, versatile and fairly easy to find in most stores and online. Cotton comes from all over the world and you may be familiar with different varieties such as Egyptian, Pima and American Upland. Each type has a different cotton fiber length which affects how it feels against your skin according to Martha Stewart. It is worth pointing out that cotton is not the best insulator so opt for brushed cotton (flannel) sheets during the colder months, this type of cotton has been delicately brushed to achieve a fuzzier and softer texture which will help to lock in heat and keep you feeling cozy at night.
