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3 key solutions for better sleep

Good night’s sleep includes the right bed, pillows and bedding
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With so many choices in pillow fillings, feel and loft, “test driving” a pillow in-store can help you choose the right one, say the experts at The Good Planet Company.

You’re tossing and turning, trying to find a position that isn’t a pain in the neck – literally – and willing yourself to sleep.

You’re not alone.

A 2017 Statistics Canada report notes about one-third of Canadians sleep less than the 7 to 9 hours nightly recommended for optimal physical and mental health. Forty-three per cent of men and 55 per cent of women aged 18 to 64 also reported trouble falling or staying asleep.

Beyond good ‘sleep hygiene’ like limiting evening screen time, exercising and reducing caffeine, your bed is also key.

“We spend one-third of our lives sleeping and the quality of our sleep impacts every other aspect of our life,” says Brittany Gamble, from Victoria’s Good Planet Company, specializing in healthy, eco-friendly home products.

1. A good foundation for sleep.

The right mattress provides the foundation for a good night’s sleep but because couples can have very different comfort requirements, finding a mattress that suits both sleepers can be challenging. The Obasan mattress is fully customizable for two simultaneous sleepers, allowing you to adjust the comfort layer and select the optimal support for shoulders, hips and feet. And because bodies and sleeping habits can change over time, you can re-visit that customization as many times as necessary.

Natural alternatives can also help those with chemical sensitivities, Gamble says, noting a traditional mattress can off-gas for 10 years. An organic, long-lasting, Canadian-made mattress made of natural Dunlop rubber with a wool covering is naturally fire-resistant – no fire-retardant chemicals needed – and helps regulate body temperature, great news for those who sleep too hot or too cold.

2. Pillow talk.

You won’t be able to rest your body until you rest your head and in that, the right pillow is critical.

“If you’re going to change one thing about your bedding, the pillow is the best place to start,” Gamble says.

But the choice of pillows is as varied as the sleepers themselves. Hard, soft, hypoallergenic, fluffy or compact, it’s a good idea to give your pillow a test drive. “While all bedding is a final sale, we do have samples and we encourage people to come, lay down and try them out – a pillow is a very personal purchase.”

Breathable, customizable organic shredded rubber pillows are among the most popular, along with choices in buckwheat, wool, kapok (tree fibre) and more.

3. Bedding.

In bedding, comfort has people looking more to natural materials like organic cotton, linen and bamboo.

“With bedding, we tend to focus on the idea that with the right bed and the right pillow providing comfort and support, our sheets provide the luxury that feels good and helps us relax,” Gamble says. “It’s achievable luxury.”

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Located downtown on Fort Street, Victoria’s Good Planet has provided eco-friendly products for bed, bath, baby and more since 2003.

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Looking for a natural pillow with the comfort and support you need? Options range from shredded organic rubber to wool.