By Kreg Weiss, B HKin • January 9th, 2008

Get a better nights sleep knowing that your efforts are greening the world. Start with your sleep. Many adults sleep at least six hours per day. People however rarely stop to think about the environmental hazards lurking in the majority of bedrooms. This green tip examines ways to green your bed.

The Bed Frame

· What is your bed frame made from?
· The chemicals that bind the fibres of pressed wood products together outgas urea-formaldehyde (contributes to poor indoor air quality)

· A green bet is solid wood, especially if that wood is sustainably harvested
1 Canwood Furniture is a BC company that manufactures furniture made from sustainably harvested wood (Sears and The Brick carry their products)

The Finish

o Conventional paints and wood finishes typically contain petrochemicals, solvents, preservatives, and heavy metals.
o It is best to use environmentally-friendly paints that are low emission products because they contain reduced solvent and formaldehyde components

The Mattress

o Most mattresses use polyurethane foam (a petroleum byproduct), plus formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene
o Fire retardant chemicals are added, which is a source of toxins
o Alternatives to conventional mattress materials that are environmentally-friendly include latex, wool, hemp, or organic cotton

The Bedding

o The cotton used in most bedding is treated with fertilizers and pesticides, which is a concern because of residues
o Cotton fields treated with these products drain toxic chemicals into waterways, which adversely affects plants and animals around these fields
o Try for bedding made of organic cotton, wool, or blankets made of bamboo

For most, the bedroom is a sanctuary. A green bedroom will give peace of mind, better health, better quality rest.

Kreg Weiss is a co-founder of My Yoga Online and certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. Several years ago, Kreg discovered yoga while teaching health and fitness. Yoga dramatically transformed Kreg's approach to teaching health and wellness as well as changed his personal life bringing new direction in finding physical, mental, and spiritual growth.

Location:  Montreal, CA

Kreg is a co-founder of My Yoga Online and certified Hatha Yoga Teacher. Several years ago, Kreg discovered yoga while teaching health and fitness. Yoga dramatically transformed Kreg's approach to teaching health and...