I’m Brandon Wilson. I am constantly working toward improving my mind, body, and spirit using various ancient techniques and cutting-edge biohacking tools and devices. I want to be healthy, but not at the expense of being happy. This simple idea is what it means to be wellthy.
First time reading? Let’s get you in the club.
Long-time subscribers know that I reinforce the importance of a good night’s sleep every chance I get. I’ve talked about bedtime routines and habits, but another critical topic is your sleep environment. Specifically, I’d like to talk about your mattress and bedding.
First, let me start with a few questions.
Do you have worse sleep than you had a year ago?
Do you wake up with stiffness and body aches?
Does your mattress sag, have lumps, or appear worn out?
Is your mattress 6-8 years old?
If you answered yes to any of these, it might be time to replace your mattress. Good timing since it’s President’s Day, and for some reason that means mattress sales.
I didn’t spend much time thinking about mattresses when I was younger. My main concerns were price and comfort. Of course, if you sleep eight hours a night, that’s 2,920 hours or about 121 days per year spent on that mattress. If you are serious about your health, it’s worth investing in a quality mattress.
How could your mattress make you sick?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) - These are toxins emitted from household products. Exposure to VOCs can result in asthma attacks, itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose, and headaches. Long-term exposure affects the nervous system and internal organs.
Flame retardants - Toxic flame retardants affect reproductive and nervous systems and have been linked to cancer. Some states have banned toxic flame retardants.
Undisclosed fragrances - A mix of thousands of chemicals is added to mask odors from production. These chemicals can cause allergic reactions and sometimes contain hormone-disrupting phthalates.
Fiberglass - Sometimes used as a flame retardant. California became the first state to ban fiberglass in mattresses and other furniture.
PVC or Vinyl - Used in mattress protectors and crib mattress covers. Both emit harmful VOCs.
Mattress Tips
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Be Wellthy to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.