The length and quality of sleep we get affects almost all aspects of our lives. If you are sleep deprived and fall short of the recommended 6 to 8 hours, not only will your work be affected, but also your relationships with other people and your health. The material of the sheet you use greatly affects the quality of your sleep and different types of bed sheets have their pros and cons when it comes to sleep quality.
Below we compare between silk and cotton bedding and discuss the various advantages silk has over cotton in terms of bedding material.
Isolation
Silk sheets known for its excellent insulation characteristics. In summer when the temperature is high, a bed will keep you cool. When winter comes, silk sheets trap heat inside keeping you warm. So basically, regardless of the weather, body temperature is maintained at a healthy constant. Cotton on the other hand has good insulating tendencies especially during summers where you will feel warm and uncomfortable.
Comfort
For a cotton sheet to be considered very comfortable, it must have a high thread count. Unfortunately, the higher the thread count, the more expensive the bedding will be. But for silk, extreme comfort is guaranteed. It helps one achieve a good night’s sleep.
Moisture absorption
Cotton is famous for its ability to absorb a lot of moisture. Silk is also a good absorbent but not as effective as cotton. The result is that silk sheets will absorb moisture from the skin at night but not enough to dry out the skin. In the morning, your skin is softer and smoother thanks to the remaining moisture. With cotton sheets, there is no possibility of skin moisture retention which can lead to a number of skin problems.
Allergy
Silk is made using threads that are very closely knit together. That way, dust, pollen, and other allergens don’t have room to live and so bedding can’t trigger or exacerbate allergies. Cotton, especially with low to moderate thread counts, can host allergens thereby posing a health hazard for individuals who are prone to allergy attacks. Resistance to allergen accumulation is referred to as hypoallergenic.
Hair Care
Friction with bed sheets tends to result in tangled and damaged hair while sleeping. Silk is one of the softest and most delicate materials around and when used as bedding, hair tends to slide over it rather than rub against it like cotton does. In the morning your hair is still intact and in good shape. It also helps avoid the formation of split ends which can cause a lot of damage to the hair.
Chemical exposure
Domesticated silkworms used in silk production are raised in a largely predator-free environment. This means they are not exposed to any of the chemicals used to protect them from various predators. The almost non-existent exposure to silk’s chemicals has many health benefits for people who use silk bedding. Cotton and most other fabrics are made from plants that undergo extensive chemical treatments to protect them from a number of pests and other predators. Therefore, the resulting fabric has a high chemical content which can cause a number of health problems.
Anti aging and skin smoothing qualities
Studies have shown that sleeping on a silk pillowcase can actually help reduce the number of facial wrinkles. Apart from helping the skin retain moisture, it also helps keep it smooth leading to younger and healthier skin. The same cannot be said for cotton pillowcases.
Ultimate luxury
Silk is the ultimate statement of luxury. From its durability to its unique smoothness and incredible comfort, this is the best buy for those who want real value for money. So if you want luxury, silk is your best bet.
Silk bedding includes silk sheets, silk pillowcases and silk duvets. Whatever type of silk bedding you have, the benefits are many and far reaching. Perhaps the most important benefit is being able to sleep better and longer at night. With better sleep, you will see increased productivity at work, less irritability, better decision making and lower stress levels. Your life, including your health, is making great progress; all due to the use of the right type of bedding material.
