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The organic movement has gained a lot of attention over the last decade or so. Many people have made the switch to organic food; they choose organic cleaning products over synthetic chemicals; even beauty supplies and clothing come in an array of organic options. And if you ask people who have committed to an organic lifestyle why they do it, the most common answer is for their health.
Health is also the number one reason why it’s important to consider an organic mattress. Especially considering the amount of time a person spends on their mattress — around one third of their lives! When you think about it that way, it seems like an idea worth exploring a little more.
“Because it’s good for our health” is a vague statement. Let’s get into the specifics of what an organic mattress is and how exactly it can benefit your health.
So, what is an organic mattress?
An organic mattress basically needs to meet the same criteria as an organic piece of fruit, in that it is made of materials that haven’t been grown or sprayed with harsh chemicals and pesticides. This might also mean that there aren’t any synthetic (ie. chemical) materials used in the construction of the mattress. Mattresses made of organic latex fall under this category. Other organic materials might include bamboo, cotton or wool.
On the flip side, you might be wondering what kind of chemicals are used in mattresses that make them damaging to a person’s health. For one, most mattresses are doused in flame retardants before leaving the factory. While the intention might be good, breathing in flame retardant chemicals for eight hours each night can have adverse effects.
Some foam mattresses can also contain an array of chemicals, things like methylene dianiline, vinilideine chloride, methyl benzen, dimethylformamide, methylene chloride and so on. Each mattress manufacturer uses a different combination or chemicals so not every mattress contains each or all of these chemicals.
While large-scale exposure during manufacturing is far more likely to cause measurable symptoms, once the mattresses are home, they can release an invisible-to-the-eye chemical gas that enters our respiratory system as we sleep, night after night. People have reported respiratory problems and skin irritations because of their mattresses. If you are naturally sensitive to allergens or irritants, it might be worth considering an organic mattress.
Another thing to be aware of is that some mattresses are sprayed with an antimicrobial chemical mixture that is used to ward off fungi and dust mites. While the effect is meant to keep people from experiencing symptoms of allergens, in the end, it might actually do the opposite.
It all sounds a bit scary but thankfully there are mattress options on the market that keep a person’s health as the top priority. Mattresses like Savvy Rest, for example, offer an alternative to chemically laden mattresses. Instead of flame retardants, they use organic wool batting. Wool in mattresses actually regulates a person’s temperature nicely for a comfortable and pleasant sleep.
It’s impossible to put a price on health and investing in health always pays off. As people find out more information about harsh chemicals and the benefits of organic materials, the demand for organic materials continues to grow. A healthy lifestyle also includes a good night’s rest each and every night. Healthy sleep has long lasting and far reaching benefits.
If you are curious about what kind of organic mattress options are available to you and are in Parksville or Nanaimo, stop by our mattress showroom. Our sleep experts can walk you through which mattress might be right for you.