Q:

Do you have some tips on getting a good night’s sleep?

A:

Transforming your bedroom into a safe haven can actually help give you a better night’s sleep. Start with your mattress. Most are made with synthetic ingredients like polyurethane (PU) foam (that degrade over time), and have been treated with flame retardants known as PBDEs. Research has linked PBDE exposure to adverse health effects including thyroid hormone disruption and permanent learning and memory impairment. Plus, lots of other chemicals are in our mattresses that off-gas, or release into the air…imagine breathing this stuff in every night…for years!

The healthiest mattress is one made of natural latex foam. But watch for the words “made with” on the label. For example, if it says “made with natural latex” that might mean there’s only 1 or 2 percent of it in the mattress! You want 100 percent (if you are chemically sensitive) or at least 80 percent of the mattress made with all natural, non-toxic ingredients.

If you can’t afford to buy a new mattress, get a mattress topper made from organic cotton and wool. Or use a mattress cover made of a tightly woven barrier cloth with a thread count of 300 or higher to help protect you from the chemicals in an unhealthy mattress.

Another big sleep disruptor in the bedroom can be exposure to electronic devices, wireless technology, and other forms of electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Follow my advice here -- it’s best to sleep in a room without a computer, VCR, TV, electric clock, telephone answering machine, cell phone, or cordless phone. Remember to keep all electrical equipment (including an electric clock) is as far away from the head of your bed as possible, or better yet, not in your bedroom at all.

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