Bedtime in the post-millennial world is rife with distractions, noise, stress, and environmental poisons. Unlike our ancestors, the majority of us are tied to a rigorous, demanding schedule which requires us to report punctually for some regular early-morning appointment with some authority figure who doesn’t care if last night’s sleep was sufficiently restful.

What’s worse, the majority of the bedding itself contains toxic substances-often polysyllabic petro-polymers derived from chemicals you’d rather not pronounce, let alone sleep on. These chemicals won’t just make you toss and turn…many of them have been tied organ and central nerve damage in addition to being highly carcinogenic.

The worst offender is mattress glue, and good luck finding a mattress without it. Since these cancer-causing molecules are suspended in water, they continually evaporate whenever your body heat rubs it the wrong way.

Many people are replacing their old box-spring bedding for a memory foam mattress but even many of the premium brands employ unsafe polymers which can cause asthma, heart and liver problems, and worse. Not only that, but to cover up the odor of polyurethane, synthetic memory foam manufacturers utilize perfumes and air fresheners which themselves contain unsavory ingredients.

Recently, we had the chance to stay at the house of a friend who sleeps on the clouds of Heaven. After a thorough cleansing, we were granted the privilege of a single night in a bed made entirely of natural latex foam . Our host slept in the hammock, and we were definitely in a better mood in the morning than he was. Fortunately, we’d done the dishes.

I was intrigued, so I got online and learned more about toxic beds than I ever wanted to know. Apparently we’d slept in a one-of-kind creation, which was not only the smoothest ride I’ve taken to dreamland in a long time, but the product of an environmentally friendly company as well.

In addition to manufacturing the most natural bedding this side of a pile of leaves, they have managed to produce them with 88 percent less waste. Essentia Mattresses offer more than comfort…they add their environmental dream of a cleaner and healthier planet to ours.

All three thumbs up from me!

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