Sleep as Nature Intended!
Added: (Mon Mar 19 2007)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
March 2007: This month is National Bed Month, the Sleep Council�s annual campaign to get people focused on the importance of a good bed to a good night's sleep. A new US study, just released, confirms the link between bed comfort and body comfort. Subjects suffering back pain who replaced a mattress five years or older with a new, medium-firm mattress, found a 63% improvement in back discomfort.
Quality of sleep however, depends on a number of factors. The right firmness of mattress is very important as is good air quality, ventilation in the room, the bedding we use, and also the health of the mattress. Dr Pretlove from Kingston University has said that �The average bed could be home to up to 1.5 million house dust mites� Invisible to the naked eye, house dust mites feed on scales of human skin and produce allergens which are easily inhaled during sleep causing illnesses such as asthma. �We know that mites can only survive by taking in water from the atmosphere using small glands on the outside of their body,� Dr Pretlove said. �Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die.� A good nights rest also depends on the temperature in your room being warm but not too hot. Natural clothing made of cottons are more breathable than synthetic ones and can help regulate temperature more naturally.
Another consideration is the chemical or toxins that your mattress may contain. In-order to meet UK fire safety regulation many mattresses contain Brominated Flame Retardants (PCBE�s). Research has shown these chemicals may be linked to neurological problems in children and are absorbed and stored in our body over time. In addition, many mattresses are produced with artificial Nylons and synthetic fibres or cotton that is farmed using pesticides. Sonia Kalia-Sagoo of buy Organics Ltd finds that consumer behaviour is changing. �With an increasing focus on the environment, consumers are switching to natural fibres which are breathable and produced in harmony with nature, they actively ask for furnishings that avoid the use of chemicals that may be harmful to health. To maintain the health of their mattress purchase we suggest that mattresses are stripped from time to time allowing them to soak up natural sunlight through their bedroom window which will kill off dust mites. A good Hoover from time to time also does wonders� Sonia notes that �whilst mattresses were traditionally an item that consumers bought in stores, now people are buying them online, the fact that the mattress is better for them is more of a deciding factor than purchasing in a store.�
Helen Hunt of Suffolk recently bought an organic cot mattress for her baby from buyOrganics online store �It really is so gorgeous and best bit my baby thinks so too, she's sleeping longer and looks so contented. I'm contented and happy too, knowing that she's sleeping on the best organic mattress�.
Sonia says that �customers are increasingly looking for official confirmation that natural and organically labelled products are not just hype, even when it comes to household furniture they are concerned about a multitude of things such as air miles and supporting the local economy at the same time, which is quite a feat for some manufacturers�. For that reason buyOrganics only stock Abaca Organic mattresses, these are made in Wales using the most natural materials such as natural latex, Organic Welsh wool and organic cotton and are flame resistant due to the high wool content, thus meeting fire standards naturally. Most of the line is Soil Association Certified. By supporting Abaca, Sonia Kalia-Sagoo believes that she is making a bigger statement then just selling a mattress. �By selling Abaca, we believe we are supporting local UK businesses that are trying to make an ethical difference to our health, the environment and our economy. The mattress is healthier because of natural materials and no chemicals, and the customer is happier.�
Lee Holdstock from Soil Association has been directly involved with the development of Abaca, "Four years ago Abaca were one of the first UK companies to have products assessed against new Soil Association organic textile standards. Focusing on organic integrity, environmental and human health, our standards remain a serious challenge to manufactures of organic textile products. With tremendous commitment to the organic philosophy from the outset, Abaca has demonstrated an ability to meet our standards at every level and we're pleased to see their mattresses carrying our symbol."
So it�s clear that sleeping on a good bed during National Bed month is not simply just an issue of back care, it encompasses many variables and more and more people are willing to question where their mattress has come from, what�s in it, and whether someone has been harmed through cotton farming and use of pesticides in its production. Good sleep comes naturally with a clear conscience, just as nature intended!
Abaca Organic Mattresses of all shapes and sizes on special offer for National Bed Month at www.buyorganics.co.uk 0208 952 1424
References:
http://www.sleepcouncil.org.uk/
http://www.kingston.ac.uk/~kx25594/news/news-archive/2005/jan/dust%20mite.htm