Is Your Bedding Impacting Your Sleep?
Sleep is just as important to your overall health as diet and exercise. Inadequate sleep can have an impact on your energy levels, your weight, and even your heart health. If you’ve tried everything to fall asleep, without any luck — from having a quality bedtime routine, putting away your phone early, and eliminating caffeine — you may need to consider the bedding you are using!
The sheets you use can make a big difference in how well you sleep at night. Here are a few tips to help you pick the right sheets.
Use Different Sheets for Different Times of the Year
The perfect night’s rest means you may need different sheets for summer and winter. Likewise, you may need sheets made from different materials during various stages in your life, like if you’re having night sweats or hot flashes. If you’re too hot or too cold, it’s hard to fall and stay asleep. Our bodies are very sensitive to temperature changes as we’re sleeping. Using lighter-weight sheets when you’re hot and heavier sheets when it’s cool may help you sleep better.
Consider Medical Conditions and Allergies
Many people spend time finding the ideal duvets and decorative pillows for their beds. These items protect your bed during the day, but at night, when you crawl under the covers, are you still going to be comfortable? If you have skin conditions or allergies, these outer coverings will not protect you. The wrong sheets can irritate your skin or harbour allergens that can keep you up at night. It’s important to find sheets that best suit your skin and can prevent the buildup of dust mites and allergens.
Use Breathable Sheets
Some sheets trap your body heat and sweat, which can make you uncomfortable, even when you’re asleep. Breathable sheets allow your body to cool down quickly and help you avoid breaking out in sweats. Cotton and other materials can easily trap you in a never-ending heat cycle while you sleep, making you toss and turn all night long.
The Bottom Line
Your sheets matter — the material they are made from and the comfort against your body. Buying the first sheet set you find can be a mistake. Take time to do your research. Think about what has worked well for you in the past and what you haven’t slept well in. With a little time and insight, you will be sleeping better than ever before.
