Your Mattress and Bedding May Be Keeping You Up at Night

If you're an allergy sufferer and you wake up congested each morning, your mattress and bedding may be the culprit. Most cotton bedding has been treated with some degree of harmful chemicals in the processing and dying phases of production, while standard innerspring mattresses can make excellent homes for dust mites. The answer to more restful nights and less morning congestion could be changing your sheets, your mattress, or both.

Organic cotton sheets and duvets that are either not dyed or have been dyed via natural means (vegetable, mineral dyes) are ideal for allergy sufferers or anyone who wants to sleep free of pesticides and harmful chemicals. Moreover, the filling of your duvet or comforter may be playing a role in your discomfort. Treated cotton, down, or synthetic fillers can all make excellent hosts for allergy-provoking dust mites. The ideal filling material is untreated, organic wool. Wool has naturally hypoallergenic properties and resists dust mites better than most materials. Wool also has thermal-regulating properties that allow it to adjust to your body temperature as you sleep, making it perfect for all seasons.

The cotton and synthetic materials in a standard innerspring mattress can also contribute to sleepless nights for allergy sufferers. The answer is a foam or latex mattress. Latex and foam can be up to 300% more resistant to dust mites than other materials. Latex mattresses are also hypoallergenic and work to dissipate heat and humidity while you sleep. Another benefit of foam and latex is they generally offer better support and can relieve pressure points and take stress off of your joints. Not only will you awake clear and free of congestion, but also ache and pain free.

Foam and latex mattresses can be expensive. If one of these godsends isn't in your budget, consider a mattress pad or topper to spruce up your existing mattress. These foam or latex toppers sit right atop your existing mattress, giving you a layer of protection and comfort, without the hefty price tag.

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