By Guest Blogger Arleen Atienza
Sleep is crucial for your health, as enough hours of shuteye will help you cope with stress and anxiety. At the same time, sleep quality is as vital while you keep your room ethical and sustainable. A comfortable environment should give you a superb sleep cycle.
Adopting a green sleep practice helps you do your part to save the Earth, but it doesn’t stop there. An eco-friendly sleep environment also helps give you the comfort you need. Here are seven ways to help you create a sustainable and comfortable place to get a good night’s rest.
Consider Sustainable Lighting
One of the ways to give you an easily sustainable but comfortable sleep is to consider the lighting of your room. Using bulbs that consume less energy will help lower your carbon footprint and improve your sustainable practices.
Incandescents and halogens use more energy than other alternatives. LED lights can last longer and produce better light. The best way to achieve good lighting is to use sustainable and natural light. If you’re lucky enough to have your windows facing south, use them as much as possible during the day.
Going dark at night is also essential, so avoid letting any electronics light up the room. Also, using a light therapy lamp will help improve your circadian rhythms, which regulate your sleep cycles.
2. Choose the Right Bedding
When it comes to bedding, there are tons of options. Breathable These are also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites. The synthetic ones are cheaper to produce. However, it may contain harmful chemicals, which can cause skin irritation or allergies.
When buying new sheets, look for ethically processed materials made of cotton, hemp, or bamboo. These fabrics are better for the environment as they are more sustainable. These materials are breathable and can help you sweat while you sleep.
Ethical wool can also be used as an ideal alternative. It keeps you warm and does not eat up a lot of energy during manufacturing.
3. Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Another way to create an ethical and healthy sleeping space is to improve your home's energy efficiency. This will help you save money in the long run. Your mattress and pillows collect heat, so consider rotating them every few years.
To ensure that your bedroom is energy efficient, you need to pay attention to a few details. Check your windows for possible leaks and make sure they are adequately sealed. Your air conditioner should also be in good shape, using energy-efficient inverters to reduce your carbon footprint.
Compared to older models, new forced-air HVAC systems use far less energy. You might want to replace your old one with a more sustainable option, such as geothermal heat pumps, natural gas, pellet stoves, and solar heating.
4. Enjoy An Eco-Friendly Bedtime Skincare Routine
Building a sustainable sleeping environment is not only a matter of what you put on your surroundings. It’s about healthy habits too, especially before you sleep. Have a bedtime skincare routine that allows you to relax, set yourself down, and go on the low down.
Opt for natural, organic, or homemade products if you want an eco-friendly bedtime skincare routine. This will not only help you minimize your impact on the environment but also on your overall health. Natural products are less harsh on your skin and are gentler than commercial brands.
Make it a habit to remove your makeup before you go to sleep. This can help improve your quality of rest and prevent you from worrying about breakouts.
Don’t forget to wash your face and moisturize it before going to bed. Your skin needs time to breathe and get rid of dirt, pollution, and makeup. This can help you achieve a refreshed and healthier look.
5. Purify Your Bedroom’s Air
A great way to reduce stress and promote a healthy, green lifestyle is to purify the air in your bedroom. Poor air quality can lead to many health issues, including muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, and other mental health problems. So, be sure to purify it regularly through proper cleaning and maintenance.
You can clean your air with air conditioning and heating systems, but these can also contribute to bigger energy consumption. Instead, you can open a window and let fresh air in. You can also enjoy a refreshing and energizing breeze with an electric fan. A ceiling fan will also help with air circulation and keep you cool.
You can also treat your indoor air by sprinkling a few drops of essential oil on your air filter. Lavender and lemon are among the best options for purifying your environment and helping you sleep better. Incense is also perfect, together with open windows and a fresh breeze.
6. Invest in Quality Furniture
Investing in quality furniture is a great way to create a long-lasting, comfortable and attractive space. It can also help you make an inviting ambiance that promotes relaxation. But, it’s not necessarily the best option for sustainability.
Unlike in the past, it’s now easy to find high-quality furniture made with eco-sustainable and recycled materials. Some of the materials used include wood, rattan, and reclaimed wood. Look for a piece of furniture that can be useful for years to come instead of unnecessarily buying something new.
When shopping for bedroom furniture, choose solid wood over particleboard. It tends to last longer and is more durable. It’s also an excellent investment as it will save you money over time.
The bed is the focal point of any room, so choose it wisely. Opt for a beautiful bed frame with sturdy legs. Avoid beds with feet, which tend to damage your floor.
7. Work Towards An Eco-Minimalist Aesthetic
If you want a more minimalist aesthetic, then aim for a clutter-free bedroom. A minimalist aesthetic is all about simplicity. It reduces clutter and promotes a Zen-like atmosphere. It also promotes a greener way of living by replacing unnecessary items. This also reduces your waste and makes you more aware of your consumption.
A simple way to achieve this is by minimizing the number of clothes and accessories you have in your closet. And if you have too many, it’s time to donate or replace them.
To declutter, start by storing your clothes away neatly. Let everything in your wardrobe be visible. This way, you can make decisions on whether to buy more.
You can also use bins and baskets to keep everything tidy. This makes your closet appear more organized and allows you to find what you need faster.
The Bottom Line
Creating an eco-friendly and soothing environment for a good night's sleep is not just about environmental factors. You spend about a third of your life in a bed, and it only makes sense that it should be as comfortable as possible, but you should also consider your impact on the planet.