Your Perfect Pillow - Side Sleeper

This is the most popular sleep position, as 70% of people sleep on their sides, and it takes the most requirement out of it's pillow. Side sleepers has the longest distance between their ear and shoulder and need a pillow that covers that distance. “Because of the greater distance between their heads and the mattress, side sleepers often need a thicker pillow to keep their head and neck in a neutral position,” says Heather Turgeon, the author of The Happy Sleeper. This is why side sleepers are used to the flip-fluff-repeat midnight routine. Without the right alignment a side sleeper may get a strained and pinched neck. The best pillow for a side sleeper is thick, tall,  and firm.

If you are a side sleeper on down, polyester, or gel alternatives then you are probably waking up with a sore neck and a numb arm. These pillows are generally too thin and don’t allow your neck to align properly with your spine throughout the night. Your weight is also completely placed on your shoulder which prevents proper arm circulation.

Wool is a breathable fiber that provides instant comfort and circulation. Unlike synthetic materials, it regulates itself to individual body temperatures, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also offers the best support for all you side sleepers!

Next, our Eco-silk pillow will provide a soft and supportive cradle for your neck as you sleep. Let your head fall into a soft world of comfort called silk. Our silk filled pillow utilizes the finest silk we could lay our hands on yet still provide an affordable door into the expensive world of silk.

The How & Why to Buying Organic Textiles

1. Choose fabrics that are "organic fabrics" not simply fabric made from organic fibers. There is a big difference between an organic cotton T-shirt and an organic textile T-shirt. The fiber, organic cotton, used to make the fabric may have been raised with regard to health and safety of the planet and people; but the production of the fabric from the cotton was not. There are many steps in the production of fabric AFTER the raising or extraction of the raw fiber material. Textile production steps can include carding, retting, scouring, bleaching, spinning, weaving, dyeing, printing, and finishing. These steps use a lot of two things: chemicals and water.

Water is used at every stage in fabric manufacturing: from dissolving chemicals to be used in one step, then to wash and rinse out those same chemicals so it's ready for the next step. Chemicals needed in fabric production weigh between 10% to 100% of the weight of the fabric. The production of the fabric covering your sofa required between 4 and 20 pounds of chemicals. The chemically infused effluent -saturated with dyes, de-foamers, detergents, bleach, optical brighteners, equalizers and many other chemicals - is often released into the local river, where it enters the groundwater, drinking water, the habitat of flora and fauna, and our food chain. As Gene Lisa has said, "There is not a 'no peeing' part of the swimming pool." We're all downstream.

Many of these chemicals are known to cause profound health problems in humans- and that's when they have been tested for toxicity. The Toxics Release Inventory of the US EPA reports that over 25,000,000 lbs. of toxic chemicals were released by US textile mills in 1995: that's 25,000,000 lbs of just the chemicals classified as toxic by the not very aggressive US government - and those are the toxic chemicals produced in the US alone. The US textile industry is almost non-existent. Imagine what the Chinese mills are doing.

2. Search for a fabric or product that is certified by any textile certification agency. There are lots of different competing textile certifications right now, so the scene is currently confusing. But any of them: GOTS (The Global Organic Textile Standard), Blue Sign, Cradle to Cradle, Green Guard, the EU Eco-Label or Flower, and Oeko-Tex are a good choice right now. Both GOTS and Blue Sign include fair tradeand workers' rights considerations. Because there are so few fabrics that are certified and when you're looking any one of the certifications it lifts all boats right now.

3. Buy "bast" or other more eco-friendly fibers. Do look for organic textiles, however since the certifications are brand new we expect to find much in the near future. In the absence of a GOTS fabric as a practical choice, pay attention to the fiber used in any textile you buy. Currently conventionally raised cotton (versus the better organic cotton) and synthetic fibers (those made from petroleum) are the world's most popular fibers by far.

The Importance of Sleep

Most people know that sleep is important to their health and wellbeing, but few get enough sleep to be fully rested and rejuvenated. Many factors can contribute to a lack of sleep, and our busy schedules often compete for those precious hours of restoring sleep. Knowing just how important sleep is for your health can help you move toward making this a priority in your life. Tucked In wants to help you in your quest for more, and better, sleep with our organic mattresses that perfectly fit your sleep style and preferences. Don’t let an uncomfortable bed be what stands in the way of you and your sleep! A great night’s sleep is something to make a priority; don’t neglect this crucial aspect of your health any longer!  

The Obvious 

Everyone knows how they feel after not getting enough sleep, and it’s not good. Feeling overly tired can put you in a bad mood, interfere with your ability to focus, and make everyday activities such as driving miserable (and potentially dangerous). You may have dark circles under your eyes, and your skin may show the effects of your sleepiness as well. The day after a bad night of sleep is never a fun one, but the long term effects may of sleep deprivation may be much more serious.

Depression

If you feel cranky or blue after a night of lost sleep, imagine what a long term pattern of sleep loss can do to your mood. Chronic sleep loss has been linked to depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. Studies have shown that sleep loss produces a lack of sociability and an increase in sadness and anger. When sleep was restored, patients reported a significant improvement in these symptoms. If you are feeling stressed and overwhelmed, sleeping more can be an relatively easy step to take to improve your overall mood.

Diabetes

Diabetes and sleep problems go hand in hand, and the problems can go both ways. Blood sugar that is out of control can lead to sleeplessness at night. There is also evidence that not sleeping can lead to a pre-diabetic state. The bottom line is that sleep can help, either prevent or manage the symptoms of diabetes. People who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to turn to food to give them a boost of energy; this can have a bad effect on blood sugar levels. Glucose is processed more slowly when not enough sleep is had, and this can lead to high blood sugar levels. Getting enough sleep can help regulate blood sugar levels, and regulated blood sugar levels in turn help with getting enough sleep.

Obesity

Another effect of unregulated blood sugar levels is weight gain. Studies have shown that people who get less sleep tend to be heavier, and being overweight can be a contributing factor in many other health issues. Continually getting less than six hours of sleep a night have, on average, a higher body mass index (BMI). During sleep, hormones are secreted that control appetite, energy metabolism and glucose processing; this is disrupted when enough sleep is not obtained. The hormones that process glucose and signal the brain that it has had enough food are also affected, and may result in food cravings and overeating. Although it is not intuitive, sleeping more may lead to less calories consumed during the day and less weight gain.

Immune Function

When we are sick, we usually head to our beds, sometimes not willingly, because our bodies need to rest to be able to heal and fight infection. People who routinely don’t get enough sleep are more prone to getting sick after being exposed to viruses, and also have longer periods of recovery. Your body uses sleep to release proteins necessary for immune function, and chronic sleep loss can lead to reduced immune function. Keep your immune system healthy and strong with enough sleep!

Life Expectancy

With all of the negative effects of sleep deprivation, it should come as no surprise that sleep loss is also linked to a lower life expectancy. Across all conditions, sleep loss is linked to increased mortality risk. Making sure you are getting the right amount of sleep can go a long way in living a long and full life.

Ergovea can help, with our organic mattresses that are fitted to your individual sleep needs. Make your bed a haven of rest and rejuvenation, and start seeing the health benefits of more sleep!

Your Perfect Pillow - Back Sleeper

In our last perfect pillow post, we learned that 1/3 of our lives is spent sleeping. Thats a lot of time that we don't want to waste on a bad, ill fitting pillow. 

The ideal pillow for back sleepers is a firm, tall pillow with divots or room for the head and neck. A pillow that allows the spine to align is needed for a back sleepers comfortable nights sleep. “You want a pillow that’s a little firmer so the head’s not going back too far,” says Rocco Monto, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Nantucket, Mass. “It’s got to contour a little bit better and take on the shape underneath your neck.”

These sleepers need to be aware of a pillow that pushes their head too far forward. A head that is raised too high, or too low, can cause a stiff neck, when your profile is four to six inches this will create the most ideal sleep. A pillow perfect for back sleepers holds a medium support. 

Our natural shredded rubber pillow provides the perfect head rest at the end of your day. This organic dream nestles your head into the perfect firmness that you desire. Easily adjustable by removing or adding material - you style your pillow your way. Have fun and experiment a little. Find the "Just Right" feel and go ahhhh.

With our Eco Silk pillow you will have the right support for your sensitive sleep position. One of our most popular pillows, the Eco Silk will make you late for work. Try climbing out of bed after resting on this marvel of comfort. Made from ecologically friendly vegetable matter,  coated with a water based silicone to offer a silky-like fiber that is allergy friendly. Wake up refreshed and ready to go.

Sleep and Memory

It’s a simple fact that we all know is true. We work better when we are well rested.

An alert and awake brain helps us to focus, learn, and have a stronger memory. Consequently, when we're tired, we are less alert, make more mistakes, and have a harder time being productive at work or school.

Organic and healthy sleep allows our mind to take in additional and clearer information throughout the day. Even better, during a good night's sleep, we process and retain that information for longer periods of time. By enhancing connections between brain cells and transferring information throughout the brain, sleep motivates memory.

Researchers and scientists believe that during our sleep, memories and newly learned skills are moved to our long term brain areas. This means that the next time we try that task we are better at it. Now that is why our teenagers say sleeping in class helps them learn!

Healthy sleep, on an organic mattress, also helps us create new and inventive ideas along with remembering our old thoughts. When on sleep mode your brain pulls together your experiences and thoughts that allows you to be better at problem solving and being productive.

This just goes to show that sleeping on an organic latex mattress and pillow is key to helping you sleep healthy. We don’t want to throw away that wonderful brain growth by sleeping on toxic chemicals (learn more on our Toxic Mattress Industry post).

Images Courtesy of Permanent Glimpse Photography

5 Steps to Living Simple - National Simplicity Day

1. In the mornings and evenings have one hour without any technology and screens. This will bring simplicity to the day or help you clear your mind as you drift to sleep.

2. Go out and enjoy the nature that is around you. Pick one day out of your week to take a drive down the the countryside, lake, beach, or mountains that are near you. Go with your partner, children, or friend and enjoy the company or just sit in simple silence by yourself.

3. Try going a few days to a week without social media. This will clear your mind, cut you off from comparisons, and declutter your phone. Be aware of how it makes you feel and think about others and yourself when posts and images are out of the way.

4. Each week choose a new area of your home to declutter- your medicine cupboard, one drawer in your dresser, or even your nightstand. Keep it to a small, defined space as to not overwhelm yourself. Clear out anything you don’t need or want and give it to friends or donate to charity. Think about each item, do you really want to keep it? If you have sentimental values attached to that item then don’t pressure or bully yourself into parting with it.

5. Think about your attitude to consumerism and be conscious with your spending habits. Are you buying this item for fashion and status? Buy what you need and not what the market says you want. Live outside of materialism and value each product you purchase.

Images Courtesy of Permanent Glimpse Photography

Homemade Acai Bowl

We have all seen these amazing breakfast and midday treats on our Instagram feeds. They look (and are) fresh, healthy, and delicious. But how do you even begin to make this elaborate looking food?! We are here to debunk this colorful bowl and let you know how easy it is to make and eat.

The Main

• 1 pack acai puree (or 2 tsp of acai powder with 3-4 crushed ice cubes)
• 1 handful frozen berries
• 1 banana, frozen
• 4 tbsp rolled oats
• 2/3 cups soy milk
• 1 tsp honey (to your preference)

The Garnish

• fresh berries
• banana slices
• kiwi slices
• mango
• coconut flakes
• granola
• chopped nuts or almonds

The Construction

1. With a frozen pack of acai puree make sure follow the instructions that come with it. If you use powder and ice make sure you are gentle on your blender.

2. Peel and put the banana into the freezer for a couple hours before adding them in. It will make your blend smoother.

3. Add all the ingredients into the mix and blend until smooth.

4. Garnish with your favorite ingredients.

5. Enjoy!

Your Perfect Pillow - Stomach Sleeper

Settling into the perfect sleep position for the night can mean a lot of tossing and turning. But what makes it worse is when  your pillow doesn’t support your head and neck properly.

For stomach sleepers, finding a position that doesn’t stress the neck can be quite difficult. Since most pillows give a dense cushioning and push the head into an upward position many stomach sleepers wake with a sore neck. “Any pillow with high loft is going to push your neck back a little bit and give you neck pain or cause some discomfort in the lower back,” says Rocco Monto, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Nantucket, Mass. Searching for a thinner pillow -to no pillow- ensures your spine stays aligned while you snooze.

The stomach sleeper has their neck in a neutral position as they sleep and don’t actually need a pillow (the less angled your head is then the less strain is put on your neck and back). If you are a stomach sleeper and don’t feel complete without a pillow then a thin and soft pillow is best. If your pillow is too thick or plump it could cause a pinched neck.

Finding a pillow that holds a unique cradle and keeps the head in a neutral position is best for stomach sleepers. The best pillow for this is a down pillow, but, if you want the feel of down and can’t tolerate the allergic reaction or just want a more affordable alternative, than an organic down alternative pillow is the right one for you.

The Facts- Toxic Mattress Industry

With the mattress market expanding, it’s more important than ever to do your research. Though each individual sleeps different, everyone should be looking for a nontoxic organic and /or natural mattress that is safe for your health and home.

1. What is a non-toxic mattress?

Many mattresses are made with chemicals that can be dangerous to breathe in and can trigger allergic reactions for people with sensitive skin. These chemicals are unsafe for you, your home, and your family. A non-toxic mattress is a mattress that is certified free of any toxic chemicals. Non-toxic mattresses often contain a combination of natural, organic materials, with the certifications to boot.

2. Why should I care?

Your mattress should be one of the first places you look when it comes to detoxing your home. Many manufactured mattresses contain chemical flame retardants, heavy metals, phthalates, and even formaldehyde. When looking to clean up your lifestyle and home, that big piece of furniture you spend ⅓ of your life in should be a priority.

3. What are the toxins?

• Chemical flame retardants like

• • Firemaster 550 - This material includes a phthalate that is banned from children’s products because of its carcinogenicity (an agent that tends to produce a cancer).

  • Chlorinated tris - A chemical that’s been banned from children’s products because it had been discovered to be linked to cancer.

  • Polybrominated diphenyl ethers - This fire retardant is linked with developmental disorders in children.

• Phthalates- A group of chemicals used to make plastics flexible and harder to break. They can be absorbed and ingested through contact.

• Heavy metals- Dense metals with high atomic weights or numbers. They can bind to and interfere with the functioning of vital cellular components.

• Formaldehyde- Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, strong-smelling chemical that causes short and long term health problems. Short term effects include: watery eyes; burning sensations in eyes, nose, and throat; coughing, wheezing, nausea, and skin irritation. Both The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program, an interagency program of the Department of Health and Human Services, have named formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen.

4. Off-Gassing, what is it?

Most of the volatile organic compounds, VOCs, are to blame for consumers getting health issues related to their products, and it’s pretty frightening to think about breathing them in through the night. After all, we do spend ⅓ of our lives asleep and in our beds. Scarier yet is that too much exposure to these volatile organic compounds has been linked to health problems from chest irritation to cancer. Better safe than sorry when it comes to the materials you choose to bring into your home. Like instead of using a largely manufactured mattress, buy a healthy, organically certified mattress (we think the Ergovea line is pretty nifty).

5. How is it still happening?

In a Chicago Tribune article from 2012, it is said that, “...the chemical industry successfully distorted the basic knowledge about toxic chemicals that are used in consumer products and linked to serious health problems, including cancer, developmental problems, neurological deficits and impaired fertility. Industry has disseminated misleading research findings so frequently that they essentially have been adopted as fact. They have been cited by consultants, think tanks, regulators and Wikipedia, and have shaped the worldwide debate about the safety of flame retardants.”

Ergovea is committed to using materials in our organic mattress and bedding products that are safe for you and your family, and help promote clean/safe environmental health.

Images Courtesy of Permanent Glimpse Photography

Sleep and Motivation

Studies have shown that people who go without sleep, or receive poor rest, have greater trouble motivating themselves and changing habits. Have you ever seen that tired face, complaining about the world being against them?

That's the lack of quality sleep talking.

A study on college students found that excessive daytime sleepiness was related to a lack of focus on mastery of subject matter, a top three component of drop out rates, decreased self efficacy, and increased habitual procrastination.

Stop waiting and start sleeping today. Master yourself, perform for nobody.

How to Get Better Sleep

• Go to bed earlier. 
• Sleep in if you don’t go to bed early enough and have the opportunity to.
• Have a bedtime routine. It will prepare your brain and start putting your body into rest mode.
• Meditate. Focus your body and breath. Like a bedtime routine it will prepare your mind and put you into a restful mood.
• Get the right bed. Having the proper bed and bedding accessories will make your room the perfect sleep sanctuary. It will also allow you to have the proper, high quality of sleep you need. Consider an organic mattress, topper, and bedding as a solution.

Our Ergovea line of organic latex mattresses, toppers, and bedding will leave you fully recharged, ready to take on the day.

Ergovea: Dream Up

Images Courtesy of Permanent Glimpse Photography