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Sustainable living is becoming more popular and recognized as an increasing lifestyle choice. Many people associate sustainability with conscious choices we make during our daily routines. However, as a society, we fail to recognize that we can be sustainable without even having to get out of bed. It’s called sleep sustainability. Humans spend up to half of the day in their bedrooms and more specifically, in their beds. Making simple changes to one’s night routine can drastically improve sustainability- and improve sleep quality as well!
For starters, replace your ten-year-old mattress with a new eco-friendly one. Organic mattresses are free from chemicals and other harmful substances. They are also fire-resistant, allergen resistant and biodegradable. The next step is to cover your new mattress with green bedding. 100% cotton sheets and organic materials are breathable, soft and clean from toxins. What you wear to bed matters too: breathable, silky soft materials like bamboo, hemp, cotton and flannel provide comfort and can elevate your sleep style.
There are also steps you can take to improve your sleeping environment. The addition of houseplants in the bedroom cleans the air and removes contaminants- perfect for improving sleep quality. A cooler sleeping environment is both better for your sleep cycle and the environment, so turn down the heater in the winter months and crack a window for cool summer air. It can be hard to fully wake up in the mornings, but taking a cold shower gives you the perfect kickstart to your day and saves water by cutting down the length of your showers. Even the simple act of centering your sleeping hours around the rising and setting of the sun is sustainable, as lighting and electricity does not need to be used. Unplugging devices such as laptops and phones reduce electricity use and blue light emitted from screens which prohibits the production of melatonin, the hormone that controls your sleepcycle. An environmentally friendly bedroom is depicted in image 1 with sustainable bedding, houseplants, bamboo window shades and energy friendly lighting fixtures.
Image 1: Eco-friendly bedroom
In the cottage, we have been implementing these habits and exploring new ways to be sustainable during our sleeping hours. After entering the cottage, you will immediately notice the copious plants and greenery surrounding our living spaces. Cylinder solar lights, like the one depicted in image two, allow greenbelt residents to substitute electricity use for the natural glow of the sun. Personally, I adorned my twin xl college bed with 100% cotton sheets and make use of an organic sleep eye mask. After nightfall, the cottage is lit up with solar string lights that convert sunlight from daytime into energy. The cottage is not only practicing sustainability in waking hours, but we are making efforts to improve the environment, even while sleeping.
Image 2: Solar lighting tube
https://www.ecomena.org/eco-friendly-sleep/
https://www.euronews.com/green/2019/05/26/8-ways-to-green-your-sleep-routine