On average, we spend around one-third of our lives sleeping. One-third! That’s a lot of life.
During the time we’re awake, we try and do all the right things to improve our health—we eat well, exercise, drink lots of water etc, etc; but what happens when it’s time to crawl into bed? Apart from spending a few Saturday mornings shopping around for the right mattress to delay the onset of a bad back, do you really put much thought into anything else in the name of bedding and health?
You’d be forgiven for saying no—until now.
Not only does fresh linen have the ability to transform your humble little abode into a Pinterest-worthy space that you can’t help but make your screen saver, as it turns out, linen sheets in particular are actually good for your health.
Yup, linen sheets are woven from flax (ie; from the same plant your flaxseeds come from that you put in your smoothies to help keep you, er, regular).
Here are some unexpected, natural health benefits that come with your favourite home styling accessory:
1. Anti-bacterial
100% French flax linen naturally works to repel dirt and suppress pathogenic bacteria and microflora that love to set up camp in between your sheets. Gross, but yay!
2. Super breathable
If you were to look under a microscope, you would see that flax linen fibres are not as tightly woven as cotton and have a hollow core. What this means, is that there is higher air permeability and greater heat conductivity. “It’s a natural temperature regulator, which means it keeps you warm in winter and breezy and cool in summer,” says founder of Bed Threads, Genevieve Rosen-Biller. It’s also a fab moisture-absorber, so you can definitely say goodbye to sweaty bodies.
3. Stimulates blood flow
Thanks to these teeny tiny breaks in the fabric, flax linen sheets are also understood to provide a light massaging effect on the skin and promote relaxation. Facial whilst you’re sleeping? I mean, why not!
4. Hypoallergenic
100% organic linen sheets are extremely gentle on sensitive, problematic skin and ideal for those who may be susceptible to asthma and allergies. Linen is also anti-static and is known to help balance the skin’s natural pH.
5. Eco-friendly
The flax plant is able to grow and thrive without the excessive use of pesticides and irrigation, which means that overall, it requires less water and chemicals to be cultivated. As a result, the entire process that goes into making linen from flax is totally sustainable.
Fun fact: As Genevieve explains, linen sheets only get better with time when it comes to both look and feel. It becomes softer and more comfortable the more it’s washed and used, which makes it a pretty smart investment if you ask us.
